Blue Mountain Scenic Byway
Blue Mountain Scenic Byway is a National Forest Scenic Byway in Oregon. Within Oregon it covers roughly 130 miles. The map below shows its route. Use “Plan a drive” to open it in the Road Sorties route planner — already routing along Blue Mountain Scenic Byway with scenic roads turned on, ready to add your own stops.
Blue Mountain Scenic Byway is a roughly 130-mile National Forest Byway across northeast Oregon, connecting the Columbia River near Arlington to Baker City. Designated in 1989, the paved two-lane route crosses Morrow and Umatilla counties before climbing into the Umatilla National Forest, offering an alternative east-west route through the Blue Mountains for travelers bypassing the interstate. The drive shifts from open wheat country in the Columbia Basin lowlands to forested ridgelines and mountain meadows as it gains elevation, with pullouts overlooking the Blue Mountains' folded ridgelines along the way. Because much of the route runs through national forest land, it passes trailheads, campgrounds, and dispersed recreation areas rather than towns, making gas and services in Arlington or Baker City worth planning around before setting out. It's one of Oregon's less-traveled scenic byways, a quieter alternative for anyone crossing the Blue Mountains between the Columbia River and the Oregon Trail country around Baker City.
- Arlington to Baker City
- ~130 miles
- designated 1989
- Umatilla National Forest
- Morrow & Umatilla counties
- Blue Mountains
Plan a drive on Blue Mountain Scenic Byway →
What is a National Forest Scenic Byway?
National Forest Scenic Byways are routes designated by the U.S. Forest Service that thread through the mountains, canyons and old growth of America's national forests and grasslands.
Where to Stay along Blue Mountain Scenic Byway
3 campgrounds and RV parks sit within about 5 miles of Blue Mountain Scenic Byway.
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