Central Oregon Geology Tour

larrie · 06-10-2019, 10:08 AM

Over the Memorial Day Weekend some friends from out of state and I traveled around the area east of Bend camping, driving desert roads, and visiting some of the unique geological features the area has to offer. You can read about the entire trip and see more photos on our blog.

Some of the places we went.

Crack in the Ground

Fort Rock

The roads we drove to get to the sights

The campsites

Derrick Cave

Arnold Ice Cave

Painted Hills

Chickahominy Recreation Site

John Day Fossil Beds

YoTerryh · 06-10-2019, 10:36 AM

Looks like a fun and interesting trip.

WhitH · 06-10-2019, 12:26 PM

Thanks Larrie! Been thinking about taking the family to camp and check out Fort Rock and crack in the ground pretty soon. Was the camping area very busy, any BLM or remote camping around there that you noticed?

larrie · 06-10-2019, 03:55 PM

There is a nice BLM campsite and fire lookout on Green Mountain about 6 miles north of Crack in the Ground. The tower was not manned when we were there. I expect that it is now. The campground is open all year and has beautiful views of the valleys surrounding it.

There is no camping at Fort Rock. You have to go a few miles north into the Deschutes National Forest and wild camp.

WhitH · 06-10-2019, 03:58 PM

Ok great, thanks Larrie!

Otter · 06-10-2019, 05:20 PM

Great trip, Larrie! I think we did some parallel paths that weekend.

bigriver · 06-10-2019, 05:24 PM

I know Larrie will chime in as well but we were just out there last week. If you pick up Crack In The Ground Road going north outta Christmas Valley it takes you straight up to CITG. 15 ish miles further on that road is a fantastic small dry campground called Green Mtn. at about 6,000' with excellent views out to the lava beds further north. There is a fire lookout up there that is open to the public that is a must see as well. There's also tons of dispersed camping all along that road.

Joe

Joe

bigriver · 06-10-2019, 05:26 PM

Ha - guess he already did. Great minds...

MysticTraveler · 06-10-2019, 08:05 PM

next-adventure@comcast.net

Nrobert10 · 06-10-2019, 09:28 PM

I was just at crack in the ground last week. Then looked for the plane crashes outside Christmas Valley but struck out. Drove from Christmas Valley to HWY 20 on two track roads that didn’t look traveled this year. Also hit Crater Lake.

Found an incredible camp spot in Gilchrist just in the NF.

Can’t wait till I can get back down there.