Strawberry Mountains Scenic Road Tour

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Grant County, OR, US

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Route Overview

Renaissance Cyclist

Insights to Inspire Adventure, Stewardship & Community

74 mi.

4,163 ft.

A popular extended day ride, this 74 mile paved scenic tour takes one fully around Strawberry mountains on a ride through wildflower strewn Logan Valley, the John Day River Valley rangeland, up and over forested high country, and through the towns of John Day, Canyon City and Prairie City. Total elevation gain of approx. 3855'. Parish Cabin Campground serves as an almost exact halfway point for those seeking to break this route up into a two day ride.

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Route Details

A must do **#EasternOregon** road tour & a great addition for those looking to expand upon the **[Old West Scenic Bikeway](http://rideoregonride.com/road-routes/old-west-scenic-bikeway/)** or **[Trans-American](https://www.adventurecycling.org/routes-and-maps/adventure-cycling-route-network/transamerica-trail/).**

This ride fully circles the spectacularly beautiful [**Strawberry Mountain Wilderness Area**](https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/malheur/recarea/?recid=39906), providing riders with plenty of hiking opportunities & big peaks to bag while they're in the area.

You'll experience alpine meadows, woodland forests, mountain vistas, rolling ranchland, arid canyons & rustic rural communities along the way. **Drivers & locals tend to be exceptionally welcoming & friendly to cyclists in the scenic part of the state.**

Moderately strong riders can accomplish this route in a single haul, but with so many campgrounds & places to explore along the way, this ride makes for an idealic weekend adventure.

@slice[The northern-most section of this route follows the **Old West Scenic Bikeway / Trans-Am** along **hwy 26**.](d,38654.91,59610.96) There is a wide shoulder for riders along this portion of the route. You will need to stock up on goodies within the communities of @point[**John Day**](d,38653.23) (pop. 1,674) or @point[**Prairie City**](d,59613.85) (pop. 876). The small community of @point[**Canyon City**](d,35498.03) (pop. 670) also provides riders with access to some amenities located just south of John Day along @slice[**Hwy 395**](d,22556.1,38545.62).

Most of the ride's elevation change takes place on@slice[ County Rd. 62](d,59784.06,96438.17) & @slice[County Rd 65 / NF-15](d,55.97,22231.58) to the east & southwest of the Strawberries. The southwestern portion of this ride was severely burnt in the 2015 Canyon Creek Complex Fire, providing visitors with a stark landscape of old dead growth & new budding flora.

The south side of Strawberry Mountain Wilderness along @slice[NF-16](d,96310.09,119008.21) is a mildly rolling through forested glades & meadows with lots of opportunity for wildlife viewing including elk. @point[NF-1640](d,111629.16) is a seriously gravel climb up the south side of Strawberry Mountain bringing hardy adventurers within 4 miles of the summit of Strawberry [via Roads End Trail](https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/malheur/recarea/?recid=40000).

**Most riders will find taking this route on clockwise to be most preferable.**

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# CAMPING
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With more than half the route tucked within the [**Malheur National Forest**](https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/malheur/recreation/?cid=FSEPRD507499), you'll find no shortage of places to camp.

## CAMPGROUNDS

The following are developed campgrounds along the route:

* **[Wickiup](https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/malheur/recarea/?recid=40030)** - Located on the Middle Fork Canyon Creek, campers have access to fishing & cooling off in shallow pools. - @poi[View on Map.](4768254)

* **[Parish Cabin](https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/malheur/recarea/?recid=39984)** - Campground at the Junction of NF-15 / NF-16. This campground marks the half way point almost exactly for folks starting their journey from Prairie City. Much of the area around Parish Cabin has burned in wildfires over the last decade. - @poi[View on Map.](4768255)

* **[Big Creek](https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/malheur/recarea/?recid=40084)** - Located in Logan Valley on the south side of the Strawberry Mountain Wilderness. Home to fantastic mountain views, open meadows, babbling brooks, & additional access to trails & mellow gravel road rides. - @poi[View on Map.](4768256)

* **[Crescent](https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/malheur/recarea/?recid=40094)** - Small rustic **FREE** use campground with lots of shade. - @poi[View on Map.](4768260)

* **[Trout Farm](https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/malheur/recarea/?recid=40178)** - Very shaded & heavily wooded campground with access to **potable spring water** & adjacent trail & pond. - @poi[View on Map.](4768261)

* **[Prairie City Depo Park](http://www.prairiecityoregon.com/prairie-city-oregon-depot-rv-park.html)** - Full service campground within Prairie City. Also site of [De Witt Railroad Museum](http://www.prairiecityoregon.com/prairie-city-oregon-dewitt-museum.html). - @poi[View on Map.](4768264)

* [**John Day Fairgrounds**](http://www.grantcountyfairgrounds.com/rvpark.php) - Full service campground within John day City. - @poi[View on Map.](4768265)

## DISPERSED CAMPING

Most National Forests offer cyclists the ability to load up their rigs & hit the road &/or trail & continue to ride continuously, day after day. Bikepackers & tourers are welcome to take advantage of dispersed camping opportunities within National Forest boundaries.

***No permits are required for dispersed camping within the Malheur National Forest; simply follow these guidelines:***

* Camp 150 feet away from roads, trails, & sources of water such as lakes or streams.

* Camp more than a half mile away from designated developed campgrounds.

* Limit your stay to 30 days for any single dispersed site annually. Stay limits on forest are 45 days.

* Pack out all your trash & waste.

* When disposing of solid human waste, bury waste a minimum of 6 inches in the ground & pack out your toiletries (unless you're using the *all-natural* varieties: leaves, rocks, moss, etc.)

* Be informed of & follow any active fire bans - These restrictions may vary from the [Malheur National Forest](https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/malheur/home/?cid=fsbdev3_033802) to the [Umatilla National Forest](https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/umatilla/alerts-notices/?cid=stelprdb5382878). Make sure all fires are dead out upon departure.

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# Important Reminders

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While touring in this region, come prepared; this area is exceptionally remote by most cyclist’s standards. Food, water, & mechanical assistance & supplies are scarce.

Pay attention to your water supply & be prepared to filter water. Even during the driest times of year one can still find water along this route, but the sources can be spread thin. Many alpine springs run dry by mid/late summer.

If you travel far from any major roads, you will likely find your cell phone to be of little use aside from cached maps & photographs.

Pay attention to the weather - **summer days can be exceptionally hot with cool/cold nights.** The upper sections of this route can still be snowed in well into June. The John Day Valley & surrounding area tends to be windy often as not. Strong headwinds can radically reduce anticipated travel times.

**Respect all private property signs** – there are many areas where the Forest as well as neighboring public land units intermingle like a patchwork quilt with private property. While many folks welcome cyclists within our community, most prefer their solitude & property rights respected. Respect all wildlife.

Respect fire bans & be aware of any potential wildfire hazards in the area. **This is fire country!** [Active Wildfires in Oregon.](https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/state/38/)

[Follow Leave No Trace principles & outdoor ethics.](https://lnt.org/learn/7-principles)

## Additional Resources

The following bicycle shops are located in the John Day Valley. Specific supplies may be limited, call ahead in advance if possible:
* [Prairie City Motors & Cycles](http://www.cityofprairiecity.com/svc_display.php?id=893) - @poi[View on Map.](4768248)
* [Fossil Shift](http://rideoregonride.com/resources/fossil-shift-bike-shop/) - @poi[View on Map.](4768253)
* [Dayville Mercatile](http://www.dayvillemerc.com)

Visit the @poi[John Day](4768251) and @poi[Prairie City](4768341) US Forest Service offices for maps, conditions & other information.

Be sure to visit the @poi[Kam Wah Chung Chinese Heritage Museum](4768250) while you're in the area.

[More on cycling the Malheur National Forest.](https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/malheur/recreation/?cid=FSEPRD507499)

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#StrawberryMountain	#EasternOregon	#RideOregonRide	#TravelOR	#GoPlay	#ItsAllYours	#Touring	#Bikepacking

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Strawberry Mountains Scenic Road Tour

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