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hhornig's avatar
hhornig
Explorer
Aug 11, 2014

Best Route from Redmond, OR to Boise, ID

We will be departing Redmond after the FMCA rally and looking to head east. Looks like 26 and 20 are possible routes. Is one better than the other, considering traffic, road conditions, campgrounds, and lastly scenic views?

10 Replies

  • J herb wrote:
    Just west of John Day is Clyde Holiday SP. first come served ,get their by 2:00pm and you will get a spot. If you have some time check out the area, painted hills & John Day.

    Great spot
  • South of US20 at Burns is Malheur Lake and Steens Mountain. The lake is a large shallow one, known for its birdwatching. And east of Steens Mtn is a large salt flat (Alvord Lake).

    Further east on the state border is Lake Owyhee, formed by a precursor to the Hoover Dam. And if you are up for some gravel roads, there's Succor Creek.
  • Just drove from Redmond to Boise over 26 with our 36 ft fiver last week. A long drive,yes, but great scenery. Seemed like you saw a little bit of everything. Cute small towns for breaks if needed but I can't comment about campgrounds. I'd recommend it.
  • We drove 26 from Ontario to Redmond for the 2011 Good Sam Rally. It was a beautiful drive and I'd drive it again. There are a number of forest service campgrounds we'd love to try. After the rally we drove 20 to Burns, and then south to Winnemucca. No where near as pretty, but worth seeing.

    Remember, all none freeway roads in Oregon are 55 mph max.
  • Just west of John Day is Clyde Holiday SP. first come served ,get their by 2:00pm and you will get a spot. If you have some time check out the area, painted hills & John Day.
  • On the map I see 3 Oregon state parks with camping on US26. One near the junction with US395, the other two a bit further east.
  • Looks like too long a day either way. Any good campground recommendations, between them?
  • watch for snakes on 26. I used to run over them in the main road when they come out to warm up on the pavement. the painted hills have signs up to watch where you step.