After a long winter, crews have cleared McKenzie Pass and the gates open for all travelers on the morning of Monday, June 16. This highway, also known as OR 242, closed for the winter season on Nov. 1 last year.
As travel resumes, drivers are reminded to share the road with cyclists and pedestrians. The pass is a popular scenic route for a variety of users. Due to its narrow, winding design, vehicles longer than 35 feet are prohibited.
McKenzie Pass has a rich history. Originally built as a private wagon toll road in the 1870s, it transitioned to a seasonal scenic highway in 1962 following the completion of Oregon 126. Even when it served as the main route between the southern Willamette Valley and Central Oregon, the road’s steep elevation—peaking at 5,325 feet—and sharp curves made the highway too difficult to maintain and keep clear for much of the year.
Each year, we typically close the pass the Thursday before Veterans Day and reopen it the third Monday in June, though snow conditions may alter these dates.
When we close the road, it is closed to all vehicles and is not maintained. We do not open it early for non-motorized travel. Even after the snow melts each spring, our crews have a lot of work to do before the road is safe for travel. Each winter trees come down and the heavy rain and snow moves rocks and debris onto the road. All of this is cleaned up and the pavement patched before we open.
Together with our partners, we worked closely this past winter to improve how we communicate about the closure and clarify expectations. While the messaging has been updated, the seasonal management approach remains the same. The seasonal closure applies to all vehicle traffic—including bicycles, which are defined as vehicles under Oregon law. The only exception is for snowmobiles, which are permitted on snow-covered highways under specific conditions in ORS 821.200.
Anyone who chooses to bypass the closed gates to access the highway when it’s closed does so at their own risk. It’s important to remember that the seasonal closure affects the highway itself—not the surrounding public lands.
To learn more about what it takes to prepare the pass for reopening each year, visit our website for photos and videos of the cleanup and repair process.
