# McKenzie Pass–Santiam Pass loop from Eugene

> 2-day round trip of about 317 km (197 mi) with 8 stops, starting and ending in Eugene. About 3 h 31 min of driving in total.

Source: https://camping-spirit.com/guides/b17-mckenzie-pass/

**At a glance:** 2-day round trip of about 317 km (197 mi) with 8 stops, starting and ending in Eugene. About 3 h 31 min of driving in total. A loop from Eugene over the lava fields of McKenzie Pass and back along the McKenzie River past waterfalls and a deep blue spring-fed pool.

| | |
|---|---|
| Distance | 317 km (197 mi) |
| Driving | 3 h 31 min |
| Suggested days | 2 |
| Stops | 8 |
| Route | Eugene → Eugene |
| States | OR |
| Updated | May 27, 2026 |

## Route description

From Eugene, OR-126 follows the McKenzie River east for about 55 miles to the junction with OR-242 near Belknap Springs. OR-242, the McKenzie Pass Highway, is a narrow road with tight hairpins, usually open only from late June to November. Vehicles over 35 feet are not allowed. Proxy Falls, a 1.5-mile loop across old lava to two waterfalls, is on the way up.

At the top of the pass, the Dee Wright Observatory is a stone shelter built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1935 in the middle of a vast lava field. Window slits point to the Three Sisters, Mount Washington, Mount Jefferson and other peaks. A paved half-mile trail explores the lava. The road then descends through forest to Sisters, about 15 miles east.

Sisters is a small western-style town with fuel, stores and a good campground. Return west on US-20 over Santiam Pass, open all year, and turn south on OR-126. Clear Lake, spring-fed and very cold, has a submerged forest visible from rowboats and a 5.5-mile trail around its shore. A little south, Sahalie Falls roars down just beside the road.

A 2.6-mile loop links Sahalie and Koosah falls along both banks of the river. Further south, a trail of about two miles each way leads to Tamolitch Blue Pool, where the McKenzie reappears after running underground; the lot fills early in summer, and a Northwest Forest Pass is needed at several trailheads. Follow OR-126 back to Eugene, about an hour and a half.

## Stop-by-stop itinerary

1. **Eugene** (OR)
2. **Proxy Falls** (McKenzie Bridge, OR): Two waterfalls spilling over mossy cliffs on a 1.5-mile loop across old lava. The trailhead is a roadside pull-out on OR-242, which is closed in winter; a Northwest Forest Pass is required.
3. **Dee Wright Observatory** (Sisters, OR): A lava-rock shelter built by the CCC in 1935 at the top of McKenzie Pass, surrounded by a sea of black lava. Window slits frame a dozen Cascade peaks; a paved half-mile trail explores the flow.
4. **Sisters** (OR)
5. **Clear Lake** (McKenzie Bridge, OR): A spring-fed lake so cold and clear that a forest drowned by lava about 3,000 years ago still stands underwater. A 5.5-mile trail circles the shore, and rowboats can be rented at the north end in summer.
6. **Sahalie Falls** (McKenzie Bridge, OR): A roaring waterfall on the upper McKenzie River just off OR-126, with an overlook near the parking lot. A 2.6-mile loop continues downstream to Koosah Falls and back on the other bank.
7. **Tamolitch Blue Pool** (McKenzie Bridge, OR): A vivid blue pool where the McKenzie River re-emerges after flowing underground through lava. The trail is about two miles each way through forest; the water is near freezing, and the trailhead lot fills early.
8. **Eugene** (OR)

## FAQs

**How long is McKenzie Pass–Santiam Pass loop from Eugene?**
2-day round trip of about 317 km (197 mi) with 8 stops, starting and ending in Eugene. About 3 h 31 min of driving in total.

**How many days do you need for McKenzie Pass–Santiam Pass loop from Eugene?**
We suggest 2 days: about 3 h 31 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.

**Where does McKenzie Pass–Santiam Pass loop from Eugene start and end?**
It is a round trip that starts and ends in Eugene.

**Which states does McKenzie Pass–Santiam Pass loop from Eugene pass through?**
Oregon.