Welcome to Oregon's Outback National Scenic Byway, a 170 mile long drive beginning south of La Pine in the volcanic region of Central Oregon and extending south into the vast Great Basin Sagebrush Desert. In this land of contrasts, one can enjoy a feeling of solitude surrounded with landscape relatively untouched by modern civilization; view abundant wildlife such as antelope, coyotes, deer and a myriad of bird species, all the while enjoying traditional western hospitality and amenities along the way.
Discover the Outback Scenic Byway
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Traveling from Fort Rock south to Goose Lake. One can only imagine the vast lakes of this area only a few thousand years ago.
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These lakes dried up over the millenia, as the climate grew drier, stranding old shorelines and exposing lake beds that have turned to broad flat deserts and rolling sand dune hills. |
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Photographs furnished by Fremont-Winema USFS and
Lake County Chamber unless
noted
otherwise | |
Summer, Silver, Abert and Goose Lakes are mere remnants of the vast lakes that once filled Oregon's high desert, and though much diminished, these lakes remain a vital source of water to the region's plants, animals and people.
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