Eastern Oregon in spring

I stayed in Fossil, OR at the Wheeler County RV Park at the fairgrounds. Around $20.00 per night for full hookups. An interesting little town that I used to serve as a hub for visiting the 3 sections of the John Day Fossil Beds. If you go, check out the museum. First Night of 8.

242 is closed in April, gated off. It opens when the snow melts, usually mid June to early July.

It's a beautiful but very, very slow road. Great for camping in a small rig.

Veebyes wrote:
Thanks for the 242 info. Had it in the original plot. Had my suspicions about it. It is just a pencil line on MS S&Ts but looked nice.

If you have the time stay in Sisters, Oregon for 3 or 4 days if 242 is open. Tripcheck again will tell you. 242 is the original road going over the Cascade Mountain Range. There is wilderness boundaries 50 ft off of the highway on both sides. The scenery is fabulous. Mountains on all sides.

Been on 26-126 many times. 26 is a must do beautiful drive. Prineville St park is open year round.

We took 26 in mid-September with 40’ RV and towing the Jeep. No problems, great little RV Park in Dayville besides the great restaurant.
Watch the weather, snow is not for me driving the RV.

Thanks for the 242 info. Had it in the original plot. Had my suspicions about it. It is just a pencil line on MS S&Ts but looked nice.

Slow route is OK by us. Time is something we will have. Don't mind a somewhat challenging road either. Just don't like snow on the road or excessively steep grades. At home in Bermuda I live with extremely narrow roads, lots of traffic & nothing but twists & turns.

Yes, TripCheck, will be your friend, possibility of snow on Santiam Pass.

SteveAE wrote:
Hwy 26 is pretty, but slow. And the road conditions will probably be fine in April. Might be some snow flurries, but unlikely to be "lasting" snow on the roads. Just watch Tripcheck (Oregon road conditions website).
Hwy 20 isn't as pretty, but much, much, faster.
In a hurry? Take 20.
Wana take a whole day and rubber neck? Take 26.
Safe travels.

I agree with Steve

There is not a lot of places to stay. John Day fair grounds is ok. Clyde Holiday State Park is nice.
Sisters, Oregon is nice too. There is a city RV Park too.

DO NOT even think about highway 242 with your 5'er. *35 ft max total length)

Dayville Cafe is beyond great food.


There is room for a big rig to get in the picture at this view point.

Hwy 26 is pretty, but slow. And the road conditions will probably be fine in April. Might be some snow flurries, but unlikely to be "lasting" snow on the roads. Just watch Tripcheck (Oregon road conditions website).
Hwy 20 isn't as pretty, but much, much, faster.
In a hurry? Take 20.
Wana take a whole day and rubber neck? Take 26.
Safe travels.