Getting Oriented
The byway runs north-south across south-central Oregon. From La Pine on US-97, OR-31 climbs onto the high lava plateau past Fort Rock State Natural Area, drops into the Silver Lake and Summer Lake basins, and joins US-395 just north of Lakeview. The route ends at the Oregon-California state line at New Pine Creek, 15 miles south of Lakeview. The Fremont-Winema National Forest covers most of the central forested segments; the BLM Lakeview District covers the lower-elevation desert.
Trail Overview
171 miles of paved two-lane highway. The route stays open year-round, with light winter snow and occasional winter chains advised on the higher segments north of Silver Lake. Most drivers run it as a long day or stage out of Lakeview for two days; the basin-and-range vista from the Abert Rim overlook is the route's defining stop.
Services are sparse. Fort Rock has a small store, Silver Lake has a gas station, Paisley has a small store, and the long Summer Lake-to-Lakeview stretch has none.
Points of Interest
- Fort Rock State Natural Area. 325-foot-high tuff ring rising from the high desert, a remnant volcanic feature with hiking trails. Off OR-31 about 30 miles south of La Pine.
- Hole-in-the-Ground. Maar volcano crater accessible by a BLM road off OR-31. Mile-wide depression created by a steam explosion.
- Silver Lake. Small town with a gas station and the historic Cowboy Dinner Tree restaurant.
- Summer Lake. Shallow alkali lake along the byway, with the Summer Lake Wildlife Area and Summer Lake Hot Springs (private).
- Paisley. Tiny ranching town with the Pioneer Saloon.
- Abert Rim. 30-mile-long fault scarp rising 2,500 feet above Lake Abert. The largest exposed fault scarp in North America.
- Lake Abert. Hypersaline alkali lake at the foot of Abert Rim, an important shorebird stop.
- Lakeview. Largest town on the byway, with the Hunter's Hot Springs geyser at Old Perpetual.
- Goose Lake State Recreation Area. Lake on the Oregon-California border at the byway's south end.
- Fossil Lake. 6,550-acre Pleistocene-era dry lake bed, a paleontological site.
Where to Camp
Forest Service and BLM dispersed camping is allowed along most of the route. Developed campgrounds include Cabin Lake (Forest Service, near Fort Rock), Goose Lake State Park (south end), and several smaller Forest Service sites in the Fremont-Winema near Bly and Paisley. Summer Lake Hot Springs offers private cabin and tent camping with hot pools.
Tips for a Safe and Enjoyable Trip
- Top off fuel in La Pine before driving south; the next reliable stops are Silver Lake (60 miles), then Lakeview (130 miles).
- Cell service is gone for long stretches. Carry water and a full tank.
- Fort Rock is worth a 90-minute stop. The state-park trail loops the tuff ring base.
- Abert Rim has signed pullouts on US-395 with overlooks; they're worth slowing down for.
- The byway pairs naturally with the Christmas Valley Back Country Byway and the Lakeview-to-Steens Mountain Back Country Byway out of Lakeview.
- Winter snow can bring chain requirements on the higher segments north of Silver Lake; otherwise the route stays clear.
