Guides/Overland routes/Oregon
Overland route50 midifficulty: easy

Big Summit Prairie Loop (FR 42)

RegionOregonAgencyU.S. Forest ServiceLast verified—
Big Summit Prairie Loop (FR 42) — overland route near Prineville, Oregon, Oregon
U.S. Forest Service - Pacific Northwest Region
Trail vitals6 facts
Length
50mi
Technical difficulty
Easy
Direction
Loop
Vehicle
Standard high-clearance vehicle. Most of the loop is paved or improved gravel; a few connector roads are rougher.
Best months
May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct
Cell coverage
Reliable in Prineville; gone for most of the loop interior.
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The Big Summit Prairie Loop is a 50-mile drive on Ochoco National Forest that circles the basin of Big Summit Prairie, a several-thousand-acre wet meadow at the heart of the Ochoco Mountains. The route follows Forest Road 42 east from US-26 past the Ochoco Ranger Station and around the prairie's perimeter, with stops for wildflower viewing and short hikes from FR 4205 toward Round Mountain and Lookout Mountain.

Most of the prairie itself is privately owned, but the surrounding Forest Service land allows public access on the road network around its perimeter. The loop sits at 4,200 to 5,500 feet on the Ochoco crest and stays open through the summer; snow closes the higher segments November through April.

Hazards

Read before you go

  • Seasonal closure on higher segments. Snow closes spurs to Lookout Mountain and Round Mountain November through April most years.
  • Wildlife. Wild horses, elk, mule deer, antelope, and sandhill cranes common. Stay in your vehicle.
  • Cattle on the road. Free-range grazing is permitted on Forest Service land. Slow down for cattle, especially near Big Summit Prairie's meadow margins.
  • Cell service. Service drops east of Prineville and stays gone through the loop interior.
  • Hunting season. Wear hunter-orange in fall.

Location

50 mi · Overland route

Approx. location 44.450, -120.350

Trail facts

5 fields
AgencyU.S. Forest Service
Nearest townPrineville, Oregon
Websitewww.fs.usda.gov/r06/ochoco/recreation/opportunities/scenic-drives
ClosedDec, Jan, Feb, Mar
Approx. location44.450, -120.350

Getting there

Directions

From Prineville (counterclockwise). Take US-26 east from Prineville about 18 miles. Turn north on County Road 123, signed for Ochoco Ranger Station. Continue 8 miles to the ranger station; just past, turn east on FR 42 at the Y. The loop is signed.

To exit. Continue east on FR 42, then take FR 22 south back to US-26 at Mitchell, or reverse the route and exit via CR 123.

Photos

3 photos

Photos · 3

Field notes

Getting Oriented

The loop sits about 30 miles east of Prineville in central Oregon. From US-26 about 18 miles east of Prineville, County Road 123 climbs north to the Ochoco Ranger Station. Just past the station, FR 42 picks up the loop and circles Big Summit Prairie counterclockwise, returning via FR 22 and back to US-26 at Mitchell or via the same connector. The Ochoco National Forest's Lookout Mountain Ranger District manages the loop.

Trail Overview

Fifty miles of mostly paved and improved gravel forest road, loop. The pavement on FR 42 carries most of the route's volume; a few connector segments are graveled. Elevation runs 4,200 to 5,500 feet, with the prairie itself at roughly 4,500.

The road around the prairie is the route's signature feature. It's open road through wildflower-strewn meadow, with named stops for shooting stars, camas, mule-ears, paintbrush, and the rare Peck's mariposa lily found nowhere else. The Forest Service publishes a wildflower brochure available at the Prineville office.

Points of Interest

  • Ochoco Ranger Station. District office and visitor information point at the loop's southwest entry.
  • Big Summit Prairie. Several-thousand-acre wet meadow, the loop's defining feature. Wildflower viewing peaks late May through early July.
  • Round Mountain Trail (#805). 9.5-mile hiking trail off FR 4205 connecting Round Mountain and Independent Mine. Old-growth ponderosa stands.
  • Lookout Mountain (6,926 ft). The Ochocos' high point, reached by Lookout Mountain Trail #804 from FR 4205. Pavement-to-summit access in summer.
  • Walton Lake. Small Forest Service reservoir off the loop, with a campground and short shoreline trail.
  • Independent Mine. Historic mining site near Mother Lode trailhead at 5,987 feet.
  • Wild horse herd. The Ochoco wild horse herd ranges through the Lookout Mountain area; sightings are common at dawn and dusk.

Where to Camp

Forest Service campgrounds along or near the loop include Walton Lake, Ochoco, Wildwood, and Wildcat. Most run reservations through Recreation.gov in summer. Dispersed camping is allowed on Ochoco National Forest land off most spur roads.

Tips for a Safe and Enjoyable Trip

  • Time the loop for the wildflower window. Peak bloom is late May through early July with shooting stars early, camas mid-season, and Peck's mariposa lily late.
  • The Lookout Mountain Trail #804 starts from FR 4205 and adds a 5-mile round-trip hike for the summit.
  • The wild horse herd is best spotted at dawn or dusk in the meadows around Lookout Mountain. Stay in your vehicle and don't approach.
  • The Ochoco Ranger Station holds current road and trail info; pick up the Big Summit Prairie wildflower brochure here.
  • Combine with the Snow Mountain Lookout drive in the Ochoco's southern Paulina district for a longer trip.

Frequently asked

Common questions

How difficult is Big Summit Prairie Loop (FR 42)?
Big Summit Prairie Loop (FR 42) is rated easy. The route runs 50 miles.
What kind of vehicle do you need for Big Summit Prairie Loop (FR 42)?
Standard high-clearance vehicle. Most of the loop is paved or improved gravel; a few connector roads are rougher.
When is the best time to visit Big Summit Prairie Loop (FR 42)?
The best months are May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct. Avoid Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar.
Is there cell service at Big Summit Prairie Loop (FR 42)?
Reliable in Prineville; gone for most of the loop interior.