Oregon’s McKenzie Pass: Dee Wright Observatory

As many of you know, I was lucky enough to go on a truly epic trip through Oregon a while ago. On the second leg of our trip, we cut east across the state to Sisters, OR. Along the way, we decided to take the McKenzie Scenic Highway instead of the traditional road to Sisters – and we did not regret it! The scenic highway has so much to offer – Proxy Falls, lakes, trails, McKenzie Pass, and the Dee Wright Observatory!

I love how sometimes the best part of a trip is from chance! We were spending our last night on the Oregon Coast, and as I was googling directions to get to Sisters for the next day, I saw that an alternate route would take us along the McKenzie Pass Highway.  Naturally, I had to play google detective to find out if there was anything worth seeing on this route versus the other route (which also had waterfalls).  When I saw Proxy Falls, it was pretty much a done deal – we were taking McKenzie Pass! I’m so glad we did because it’s such a beautiful drive and has more than one interesting thing to see along the way!

Dee Wright Observatory is located in the middle of McKenzie Pass – a Pass that’s often not open most of the year due to snow! The unique thing about the area is that it’s in the midst of an ancient lava flow. Not only is the Observatory surrounded by lava rock, but it’s actually made out of lava rock as well! This open rock observatory was a Civilian Conservation Corp project that was completed in 1935. You can go explore the inside and top of the observatory, as well as hike on a paved path through the lava rock field!

Directions: The Dee Wright Observatory lies about halfway along HWY 242/McKenzie Pass Highway, around 15 miles from Sisters. If you are on the highway, you can’t miss it.  Note that the highway is not open year round.

Restrooms: Yes.  I will never forget because here was the first and only time that I have opened the door on someone using the restroom.  Make sure and lock your doors!!

Wheelchair accessible? The trails are accessible and the observatory is accessible with the exception of the roof access, which has stairs.

Pets OK? Leashed pets are welcome, but you must clean up after your pet.  Trash receptacles are present but bags for poop are not.

Crowds: Moderate to heavy

Fees: Free

Tips: 

• The McKenzie Highway is comprised of winding, mountainous roads.  Please drive at a safe speed throughout the highway and be aware of bicyclists and hikers.
• Be especially aware of your surroundings when you park! Parking is directly off the highway, and you never want to trust people to drive appropriately around you and your loved ones.
• This area is really not conducive to large trailers, and the parking is not made to accommodate.
• Depending on the time of your visit, you may want to bring a jacket!!
• I’ve said this multiple times, but this is not open year round.  Snow makes it impassable through winter.  Check for closures before heading there!
• My visit occurred before the devastating wildfires that occurred within the last few years.  Many people have commented on the extensive damage done to the surrounding forest.
• Dee Wright makes a great stop for night photographers! There is minimal light pollution up here (although it is still present).
• This observatory is a great spot to drive up from Sisters and watch the sunset!
• You can see some famous mountains of the Cascades along here! Mt Washington, Mt Jefferson, the North, Middle, and South Sister, and on a clear day even Mt Hood!

What I found most interesting about the Observatory is that it’s dedicated to pointing out the surrounding mountain peaks, buttes, and ancient volcano craters! I was not expecting this, since observatories are traditionally for viewing celestial bodies, so it was a really cool find for me being such a mountain lover!

The staircase winds all the way up to the inside of the structure, and even continue past that to the very top, where there is a bronze “peak finder”. It looks like a giant, flat compass, except it has many dials and they are all pointing at the different mountains and buttes.  The dials name each peak and tell their elevation. You could see a lot of prominent peaks from these vantage points, including the North, Middle and South Sister, Mt. Jefferson, Mt. Washington and even Mt. Hood! (PS, the three “sisters” is how the town of Sisters, OR got its name!)

Once you go inside the structure, you find yourself in a circular chamber with many openings in the walls.

The little openings in between the larger windows are actually viewing ports that have the name of the mountain you are viewing labeled underneath!

There were many of these little viewing ports all around the inner chamber! It was pretty cool!

We enjoyed this place so much we actually came here twice. It’s just up the hill from Sisters, so we decided to come back the next day to watch the sunset. This lava field is such a stark contrast to the lush, mossy forest that is found in so much of the areas we visited!

This roadside attraction is definitely worth making a stop for if you are on the McKenzie Scenic HWY 242! I hope that this post inspires you to see it if you are there!

Leave me a comment and lemme know what y’all think! Have you been here?? Did you like it?? Are you planning a trip to the area?? I wanna know!

Until next time!