There are few better ways to experience the bountiful beauty of autumn than by taking a peaceful drive through the gorgeous Oregon countryside. The colors and scenery of Oregon in the fall are truly something that will take your breath away! These eight scenic roads weave through Oregon’s colorful forests, charming covered bridges, amazing viewpoints, and other breathtaking scenery. These country roads are lovely year-round, but they’re especially spectacular in the fall, and truly make for some of the best scenic drives in Oregon.

1. Mt. Hood Scenic Byway
flickr/ Robert Tuck
A beautiful stretch of Oregon Highways 35 and 26 merge together to create the lovely Mt Hood Scenic Byway. In the autumn, this spectacular route is full of lush, colorful foliage, wondrous mountain views, bucolic farms, and more. And of course, nothing compares to majestic Mt. Hood. Standing 11,245 feet tall, Mt. Hood is the highest point in Oregon and a powerful symbol for the Pacific Northwest, and this drive really showcases its beauty!
2. McKenzie River Highway
flickr/ Sally
This scenic highway runs alongside the amazing McKenzie River for 90 miles, passing waterfalls, forests, and more. Here's a photo of the beautiful Goodpasture Covered Bridge framed by golden foliage. Please note: the McKenzie Highway closes annually from mid-November to mid-June.
3. Historic Columbia River Highway
flickr/ Sarah McDevitt
This legendary road winds through a lush forest beside the magnificent Columbia River. It's a fantastic place to see the fall colors, as well as to get a glimpse of some of Oregon's most treasured waterfalls. The Historic Columbia River Highway is a bucket-list must!
4. Hells Canyon Scenic Byway
flickr/ Baker County Tourism
The Hells Canyon Scenic Byway is an astonishingly beautiful drive in eastern Oregon that leads through canyons, meadows, the Wallowa Mountains, and more. It's a designated All-American Road, too.

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5. Cornucopia Highway
flickr/ Baker County Tourism
The Cornucopia Highway is a wonderful road in eastern Oregon that can be reached from the Hells Canyon Scenic Byway. This amazing photo sums up the balance of beautiful foliage and bucolic scenery at its finest.
6. Covered Bridges Tour Route
flickr/ Cameron Yee
One of the best scenic drives in Oregon, the Covered Bridges Tour passes six lovely covered bridges in Cottage Grove and is a perfect route for experiencing the beauty of Oregon's fall foliage. Here's a photo of Currin Covered Bridge, one of many winsome bridges on this charming drive.
7. Oregon 47
flickr/ Jim Fischer
Oregon's wine country is especially gorgeous in the fall. Plus, it's the harvest season! Take a trip along the fabulous Oregon 47 (known as "Sip 47"), which leads past numerous vineyards, farms, and breathtaking scenery. You may want to consider stopping at a vineyard or two for some wine tasting as well!
8. McKenzie - Santiam Pass Scenic Byway
flickr/ Tim Vo
The McKenzie - Santiam Pass Scenic Byway is one of Oregon's amazing scenic roads, passing forests, surreal lava beds, mountain peaks, and more. In the fall, the scenery is especially otherworldly when the foliage is aflame with autumn colors.

Have you been on any of these beautiful drives before? What are some of your picks for the best scenic drives in Oregon? Share them with us in the comments below!

For more beautiful places to explore in the Beaver State this fall, check out our ultimate Fall Foliage Road Trip here.

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More to Explore

best scenic drives in Oregon

Sarah | July 13, 2021

What are some of the best scenic drives in Oregon?

If the above list of scenic drives stoked your appetite for adventure, you're in luck! There are numerous scenic drives in Oregon, perfect for afternoon drives or even weekend-long road trips. One of the best short-and-sweet scenic drives in Oregon is the Three Capes Scenic Loop. This 40-mile drive is easy to tackle in a day, providing lots of time to stop and enjoy the views and landmarks you’ll pass along the route. The Three Capes Scenic Route is one of the best ways to experience the Oregon Coast and will leave you with a newfound appreciation for our beautiful state. For a longer scenic excursion, check out this weekend waterfall road trip, which passes by some of the Beaver State's most wondrous places, including the Columbia River Gorge, Mt. Hood, and Silver Falls State Park. It's a beautiful scenic adventure!

Are there any scenic overlooks in Oregon?

Oregon's beautiful scenery is everywhere; and many times, the best way to really revel in the resplendence of our state is from above. These 10 overlooks will not only make you feel as though you're on top of the world, but they also offer some of the most sublime scenic vistas in the state. Crown Point, Cape Lookout, Triangulation Peak, and Rim Drive at Crater Lake all offer only-in-Oregon views that will take your breath away.

What are a few country roads I can take in Oregon?

Country roads, take me home! Oregon might not be the first state that comes to mind in terms of "country roads," but our state has plenty of rural roads and off-the-beaten-path byways that explore some beautiful, lesser-known areas. These 10 scenic routes all offer opportunities to explore Oregon in a new and exciting way, encountering pastoral countryside, old covered bridges, deserted plains, expansive farmland, and other breathtaking views along the way.

Related Articles

Featured Addresses
Historic Columbia River Highway, Historic Columbia River Hwy, Corbett, OR, USA
McKenzie Highway, McKenzie Hwy, Springfield, OR, USA
U.S. Highway 26, US-26, Portland, OR, USA
Hells Canyon, Idaho 83835, USA
Cornucopia Highway, Cornucopia Hwy, Halfway, OR 97834, USA
Cottage Grove, OR 97424, USA
Oregon 47, OR-47, Vernonia, OR, USA
Santiam Pass, Oregon 97759, USA