About Sutton Mountain Back Country Byway
Welcome to 41 miles of Central Oregon's scenic backcountry! Relish views of the orange and red clay mounds of the Painted Hills, crane your neck to catch the emerald-green lichen on the rock walls of Girds Creek Canyon, and get up close and personal with the high desert cliffs of Sutton Mountain. You can stick to the byway or explore colorful hiking trails, discover historic corrals from early ranching days, pause for a lunch break at Priest Hole on the banks of the John Day River, or camp under breathtaking, unobstructed night skies. Anywhere you look, it's a photographer's dream!Know Before You GoOpen year round.The byway is open to motorcycles, vehicles, and bicycles.Picnicking, restrooms and drinking water are available at the Painted Hills National Monument (water not available during winter months).Fuel, food and lodging are available in Mitchell, Oregon.Primitive camping is available at the BLM Priest Hole Recreation Site, which can be reached via a 1.4 mile spur road off of the north side of the byway loop (restroom, no water).Point of InterestThe Scenic Byway passes by the Painted Hills, one of the Seven Wonders of Oregon. It's worth the time to explore the colors, fossils and geology of this amazing place!
How to Get There
The Sutton Mountain Backcountry Byway is a 41-mile scenic loop that can be traveled in either direction. From State Highway 26 about 3 miles west of Mitchell, Oregon, head north on Bridge Creek Road past the Painted Hills for about nine miles. Continue to the right toward Priest Hole on the Twickenham/Bridge Creek Cutoff Road and follow that for about 15 miles. Head south on Highway 207 until you bump into Highway 26, about 0.5 miles west of Mitchell.
Driving directions (Google Maps) →Plan Your Visit to Sutton Mountain Back Country Byway
Heading to Sutton Mountain Back Country Byway? A few things to know before you go:
- Reservations: popular sites fill up fast — check Recreation.gov 6 months in advance
- Fees: day-use and camping fees vary; check current rates on the official park page
- Trash & pack-out: follow Leave No Trace principles
- Wildlife: store food in bear boxes where provided; never feed wildlife
- Weather: the 5-day forecast above is updated every 6 hours; verify just before you go
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a reservation for Sutton Mountain Back Country Byway?
No central reservation system listed for Sutton Mountain Back Country Byway. Check the official page (https://www.recreation.gov/recarea/15159) for the latest entry policy and availability.
How do I get to Sutton Mountain Back Country Byway?
The Sutton Mountain Backcountry Byway is a 41-mile scenic loop that can be traveled in either direction. From State Highway 26 about 3 miles west of Mitchell, Oregon, head north on Bridge Creek Road past the Painted Hills for about nine miles. Continue to the right toward Priest Hole on the Twickenham/Bridge Creek Cutoff Road and follow that for about 15 miles. Head south on Highway 207 until you …
How do I contact Sutton Mountain Back Country Byway?
You can reach the park at phone: 541-416-6700 or email: BLM_OR_PR_Mail@blm.gov.
References & Official Resources
