Newport Or to Crater lake, avoiding I-5

[curly5759]

Hi, in Sept my wife and I will be visiting the OR coast and then heading back to AZ with a stop at Crater lake. I want to see more of OR than just driving on I-5, so I would like some suggestions for a scenic route that let us see more of Or. I am considering rt 20 to Bend and then 97 to Crater lake.

We want to spend one day/two nights somewhere along that route to visit attractions-- easy hikes, waterfalls, historic sites, etc. Any suggestions along that route? Can you suggest a better route?

We are driving a 4 door Dodge ram with an 18' trailer.

Bend isn't a destination, its only along the route I chose. Suggestions for a decent place to stay along that route/other route are needed.

Also, same questions leaving Crater lake. I want to take 395 through Cali back to I-40 to go home. Suggestions for things to see/do in the oregon area of that leg?

Thanks!

[curly5759]

Hello all. Updating to let you know what we did. We left Newport and took the 20 to the 226 to the 22 and on to the 20. We loved the drive, quiet, scenic, little traffic till we hit the 20. We spent a few days in the Sisters area before going on to Crater lake. Hiked to proxy falls and took in the Lava River area. Sisters was a favorite spot along the road.
We had a great trip. Thanks for the input!

[RedRollingRoadb]

OP's choice.

Some think taking Hy 22, Santiam, around Big Cliff is worse thing ever. Some scream taking US 20 over Tombstone is worst thing ever. Others scream that Hy 58 over the Willamette too steep. I have done the exact route I discussed more times I can count.

The OP mentioned a stop near Bend even though he was just looking for a place to park. My guess is that the distance is all he wants to travel for a day. Going Hy 126 meets his needs, though it is a little longer and is a easy drive.

If I were to use the Newport-Bend route with Bend being the destination I would do 20 to 34 and rejoin 20 at Lebanon. Yeah the road over the hill is a little rough and windy but so what. But I wouldn't send someone over it that I don't know their driving ability.

Now if I was using the final destination of Crater Lake like the OP said, I would fell him to follow 99 to Hy 569/ Pape Bypass or whatever it was renamed to and take it to I-5 south to Hy 58 and continue on south on US 97.

If the OP is reading this there is also a casino and truck stop near Chiloquin. Fuel prices are good and I know you can overnight there. Not sure if they allow multiple nights.

Ed_Gee wrote:
Why in the world would someone steer the poor guy to the second largest city area in Oregon?! I recommend taking donn0128’s suggestion.

[paulj]

Oregon is one the easier states to avoid interstates. There are only 2.

Roughly speaking Oregon highways are like a double ladder - US101 along the coast, I5 and neighbors in the middle, 97 in east (with 395 and 95 further east). And numerous cross rungs over the mountains.

In the north I5 has lots of alternatives - local versions of old 99, and county level. South of Eugene it may be harder to find an alternative - unless you want to meander through forests.

US97 is relatively flat and straight.

OR138 is one route from Roseberg to the north entrance to Crater Lake. It has some good waterfalls. It continues on to 97 with a long straight downgrade. (I'd take 101 south to Coos Bay, and 42 to Roseberg)

OR62 gives access to the south side of Crater Lake - to/from Medford and Klamath Falls. A modest use of I5 between Roseberg and Medford would be ok if you don't want windier roads like OR 227.

East of US97 the country is more open and drier, more like northern Nevada.

Speaking of waterfalls, there's a good book of Pacific NW waterfalls, and one (or more) websites.

Get on to Google Maps and look at some potential routes in details - terrain mode to see the mountains, sat view to see more detail, and Streetview for even more.

With GM route finding, click `avoid highways` to get routes that don't use I5.

[Ed_Gee]

Why in the world would someone steer the poor guy to the second largest city area in Oregon?! I recommend taking donn0128’s suggestion.

[RedRollingRoadb]

Your a wise person wanting to avoid I-5!

I would take 20 into Corvallis then south on 99W. In Junction City (decent gas price at Safeway, good access) it will merge to 99.

I would stay on 99 into Eugene, lots of lights but traffic moves fine. Once you enter the one way take the second left lane. Stay in that and you will merge onto I-205/OR 126. You will skirt downtown Eugene/Springfield. Follow about 8 (?) miles. Second (?) light you will turn left onto 126.

Follow 126 to the merge with 20 and over the hill into Sisters, neat town lot of times you can park on the side streets and walk around. Sisters Creekside Park https://sisters.teamaha.com/creekside-campground if you can get in. Likely full Sept.7-9 for the http://www.sistersfolkfestival.org/.

Tumalo State Park https://oregonstateparks.org/index.cfm?do=parkPage.dsp_parkPage&parkId=34 down the road 15 miles.

Collier Memorial State Park https://oregonstateparks.org/index.cfm?do=parkPage.dsp_parkPage&parkId=165 is a good jump off point to Crater Lake. Less than 30 miles.

Plan for cool to cold weather in the morning and evening. Seen snow at Crater Lake in early August. If you have the time take the loop drive around the lake. There is also a tour trolley that goes around also and I think it is worth the cost.

140 into Lakeview is a good idea. Be a real tourist and take it into Denio and Winnemucca. Just have enough gas to get to Winnemucca!

[donn0128]

20 east,226 to 22 to Bend. 97 south to LaPine. If you can get a reservation LaPine state park is a great place. Hosted there for 7 years. Love the area. If you can get reservations, Cowboy Dinner Tree is good food. 97 south to Collier Memorial state park. Close to crater lake. Come out of Crater Lake to Klamath Falls and take 140 east to Lakeview. Goose Lake State Park is a great overnight stop. Continue 395 south