Oregon Off-Road Trails

Bartlett Road is an easy gravel road suitable for all vehicles. It is accessed in the north off of Grouse Creek Road and in the south at the little town of Troy, Oregon. Bartlett Road follows along the edge of a tributary canyon off of the Grand Ronde River, crosses Bartlett Bench, and then drops down the grade into Troy. The road resides in canyon country, and the primary views are of canyons—some wooded, some agricultural, some desert-mountain. In all cases, the views are spectacular and well worth the drive!

Because of the abundance of private property along the road, there are no good camping opportunities; however, there is a small RV camp in Troy. The major hazards are dust, occasional blind curves, and mild washboards.  

Twin Buttes Road is an awesome drive through the rolling foothills of eastern Oregon. The contrast between the tall green and golden grass with the blue sky is spectacular! The mighty Twin Buttes are on the western side of the trail, and several other marvelous buttes and canyons are visible alongside the road.

The dirt road is in good shape, and 4WD is unnecessary, but you will need high clearance. The trail goes through an open range, so beware of cattle on the road. There are many other great trails in the area. This trail intersects Cow Hollow Road in the north and Shell Rock Road in the south-east.

Clarks Creek Road starts as an easy two-lane gravel road and degrades into a single-lane, minimal-maintenance track. Four-wheel drive is not needed, but moderate clearance is recommended. Since this is mostly open range country there may be cattle on the road. There are several sites for dispersed camping, but care must be taken to avoid private property.

Both ends of the road have been mined in the past and there is still some mining activity on the northwest section where the road is good gravel.

Lockett Road is a nice drive through the rolling hills of The Snake River Valley, with a glimpse of the river near the southern trailhead. Private land is on both sides of the road, so you must stay on the trail, and there is no camping along this route. No 4WD is needed; any high-clearance vehicle can make it.

You reach a cattle gate that you can pass through and then come to a fork in the road; if you take the southwest fork, you’ll hit a locked gate right away. But you can go through the gate to the northwest that says “Public Lands” to complete the loop back to Highway 84.

North Fork Dry Creek is a straightforward connector trail from Summit Ridge to the Wallowa Mountain Loop. It begins by tracing the ridge, offering stunning vistas of the Wallowa Mountains, before descending to follow the creek. Although established campsites are scarce along the trail, offshoots may lead to picturesque dispersed camping spots.

Dry Gulch Road is a dirt road that traverses through the golden rolling hills of Eastern Oregon near the Columbia Plateau just northwest of Ontario, Oregon. 

High clearance is needed, but not 4WD, as some mild off-camber sections exist. In parts of the trail, the vegetation is overgrown in the middle of the road, and plants stick up about a foot high, but they’re not very thick and easy to go through.

Several other great trails in the area are worth checking out. The Old Oregon Trail and Moores Hollow both intersect Dry Gulch Road.

Dean Creek Road, also known as Forest Road 1160, is a well-maintained trail that stretches from East End Road to South Shore Road. This trail offers several access points to camping areas around Phillips Lake, but Dean Creek does not have campsites along its route.

Haas Ridge Road winds along the ridge from Lord Flat to Monument Ridge, serving as a gateway to numerous hiking trails. This enchanting trail meanders through bubbling creeks, lush green meadows, and shady forests. Though unmaintained and rugged, it beckons only to high-clearance or four-wheel-drive vehicles, especially avoiding wet weather when it can turn impassable. While no pre-established campsites can be found, the meadows offer tranquil spots for those seeking to immerse themselves in nature's serene embrace.

South Shores, also known as Forest Road 2220, is a trail that runs along the southern side of Phillips Lake. It provides access to camping areas with forest and water views. This well-maintained gravel road is suitable for RVs and passenger cars.

Sacajawea is the nearest camping spot to the Hat Point Overlook and Day Use Area. This site features a few picnic tables, fire rings, and flat areas perfect for camping. This is an unmaintained packed-dirt road, so driving during wet weather or road conditions is not advised. Under normal conditions, this trail would be suitable for off-road-style RVs and high-clearance vehicles pulling offroading trailers.

Lower Cow Creek Road cuts through a rugged and remote corner of southeastern Oregon, where endless sagebrush plains, volcanic landscapes, and wide-open cattle country stretch to the horizon. The farther north you travel, the more the outside world fades away, replaced by vast basin views, silence, and the feeling of true backcountry isolation. Pronghorn antelope are frequently seen darting across the open desert, while spring and early summer transform the normally dry landscape with colorful wildflowers scattered across the high desert floor.

The Cow Lakes Recreation Area offers a unique mix of remote desert camping and wetland scenery, unlike almost anywhere else in Oregon. A chain of shallow lakes, marshes, and seasonal mudflats creates an ever-changing landscape that draws thousands of migratory birds and wildlife throughout the year. Primitive campsites and roadside pull-offs provide excellent opportunities for dispersed camping with massive sunrise and sunset views, dark night skies, and peaceful solitude far from developed campgrounds. A small boat ramp and a couple of pit toilets provide minimal services while preserving the area’s rugged, undeveloped feel.

One of the most fascinating features of Cow Lakes is the dramatic boundary where ancient black lava flows meet the surrounding high desert basin. Lava from the nearby Jordan Craters eruption blocked historic waterways thousands of years ago, helping create the shallow playa lakes and marsh systems that visitors now explore by fishing, birdwatching, paddleboarding, kayaking, and photography.

The route itself is mostly flat, with a mix of gravel and hard-packed dirt, making it manageable for most high-clearance vehicles in dry conditions. However, this is still remote desert country, and conditions can change quickly after storms or extended rain. Muddy and boggy sections can develop fast, so travelers should come prepared with recovery gear, extra supplies, and the mindset for true overland travel.