Start in La Pine for the High Desert Loop!  The High Desert is a part of the Great Basin and Fort Rock is where the oldest sandals in the Americas were found.  You'll find more information on this Loop as well as our other driving loops on our Video page.

Actually a "caldera," this geologic wonder is our second "crater." If you want to use your gps, it's best to pull up your directions while in La Pine; connectivity can be difficult in the Oregon Outback.   

30 miles east on Highway 31 is the turn onto Fort Rock Road.  The State Park and the Homestead Museum are waiting to be explored, and the local establishments will keep you in food and drink.

Fort Rock State Park is home of the oldest sandals found in North America.

For more information, see our Day Trippin' brochure  and our Videos

Christmas Valley is a small desert community with several restaurants to keep you going.  The Willows Antique Store is a great place to explore, or spend a few hours on their 9 hole golf course right on the lake.

It's a great place to launch your exploration of the Sand Dunes, Lost Forest, Crack in the Ground and Green Mountain/Four Craters area.

Load up on supplies, especially water, in Christmas Valley; there are no services except vault toilets in these locations.  You even need to pack out your trash.  These geologic formations are thousands of years old.  The roads may be closed or impassable during winter, and Green Mountain recommends a four wheel drive for their access road.    Have a look at our Day Trippin' brochures and our Videos.

For Crack in the Ground, get directions to Crack in the Ground, Oregon 97638.  It's on Lava Crater Road

For Green Mountain Campground, get directions to Green Mountain Campground, Silver Lake, OR 97638  You will pass the Crack in the Ground parking lot on the way.

The Sand Dunes are a great recreational area.  If you go straight instead of turning right into the dunes, you'll reach the Lost Forest--a stand of Ponderosa Pines in the desert, far away from its siblings to the west.  Roads are unpaved.  Make sure someone knows where you're going and when to expect you to return as cell phone service is spotty at best. If using a gps, take written directions, available in the Day Trippin' brochure in case you get disconnected.

Check out our videos and Day Trippin' brochures.

Get directions to the Sand Dunes:  Christmas Valley Sand Dunes, Lost Forest Ln, Christmas Valley, OR 97641

Get directions to Juniper Camp:  Junipers Camp, Oregon 97641

Ana Reservoir has fishing, bird watching, great views, and an RV park.

Get directions to the RV park at: Ana Reservoir RV Park, 84594 Carlon Rd, Summer Lake, OR 97640

Summer lake Lodge is a great place to stay.  The wildlife refuge nearby has great viewing and is just across the highway.  The store is close by, as is the rest area.

Get directions to:  The Lodge at Summer Lake, 53460 OR-31, Summer Lake, OR 97640

Summer Lake Hot Springs offers rustic cabin and, of course, hot springs, in a quiet, low population area of the Oregon Outback.

Get direction to:  Summer Lake Hot Springs, 41777 Oregon 31 Mile Marker, 92, Paisley, OR 97640

Take a trip back in time in the Pioneer Saloon, and get in some great fishing on the Chewaucan River

A small town with gas and a cafe, it's a great place to start a trip through Klamath Marsh Wildlife Reserve, which joins Highway 97 near Sand Creek.

Take a trip back in time and have dinner in an old bunkhouse next to the tree where cowboys picked up their dinner!  Reservations are required, and you'll order your meal when you make your reservation.  Choose a 22 oz steak from beef raised right there, or a whole chicken!  The sides are green salad, fresh baked yeast rolls, soup, and baked potato.  And there's dessert--often a berry-topped piece of cake.  You'll be rolling in leftovers!

Cowboy Dinner Tree is an international destination.

Thompson Reservoir offers beautiful views, great fishing, camping,and peace and quiet.