The McKenzie Pass Closure
OREGON: A spring cycling tradition may be in jeopardy as state officials talk tough about this popular scenic bikeway.
Cycling up to McKenzie Pass is an Oregon tradition. It’s a destination ride repeated for decades as cyclists from throughout the world travel to Central Oregon to pedal to the top of the Cascade Range.
That’s especially true each spring when the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) clears snow from Highway 242 – the McKenzie Highway – and gives riders a clear path for car-free biking before the two-lane road opens to motorized traffic.
This has been the norm. The state even designated this as an official state scenic bikeway, in part, because of this unique cycling experience.
But if you’re planning on heading there this spring, you may want to reconsider your itinerary. ODOT says bikes are not welcome until the gates open to cars and trucks on the third Monday in June.
Location
The McKenzie Pass Scenic Bikeway is an east-west route that extends for 38 miles between Belknap Springs on the west side of the mountains to Sisters on the east. Elevation gains are 3,880 feet one way from Belknap Springs and 2,367 feet from Sisters.
Sisters is 22 miles west of Bend, a popular year-round recreation destination.
RidewithGPS map from west to east
RidewithGPS map from east to west
Shifting Gears
The long-standing tradition promoted by the state tourism and parks offices encouraged people to visit Sisters each spring and ride up the mountain before vehicles were permitted. Then, like a cyclist speeding downhill, weaving to dodge potholes, ODOT began to veer.
I first learned of this ODOT shift while researching a magazine article in March 2023. Responding to questions about spring cycling, an ODOT spokesperson dropped this on me in an email:
“Highway 242 is closed to all users from mid-November to mid-June. We post signs and close gates to support the closure for everyone’s safety and understanding. This is a beautiful location and we all appreciate it. We open the road when we can ensure it is safe for travel.
“When Highway 242 is closed by the gates to traffic, it is closed to all traffic including cyclists, and travelers who use Highway 242 while it is closed do so at their own risk.”
ODOT escalated its rhetoric in November 2024, issuing a formal statement declaring the road closed to everyone. That included cyclists, hikers, and even snowmobilers who have been grooming snow there and using the highway for years.
The pushback was strong. Local officials and businesses in Sisters objected, pointing out that winter snowmobile events and spring cycling bring large numbers to town. Banning these activities harms the local economy.
Policy Clarified, But Still No Bikes
ODOT now has a new stance. The state agency announced last week that snowmobiles are exempt under state law, but bicycles are not.
“While our communications are getting more specific, the management practices for the highway remain consistent,” an ODOT statement reads. “The seasonal closure of McKenzie Pass is in place for all vehicle traffic, and under Oregon law, cyclists are considered vehicles ... That means the road is also closed to them.”
What does it all mean?
My ODOT source acknowledged the road’s popularity, saying in 2023 that “we estimate on average there have been about 5,000 bicycle trips each spring before the east closure gate is opened.”
What risk were these 5,000 riders taking? ODOT suggests cyclists may interfere with state road workers’ efforts to clear remaining snow or repair roads. That’s fair. And, should a rider crash, it would be difficult to get an emergency response to the accident scene. So, yes, we ride at our own risk.
Cycling on the McKenzie Pass Scenic Bikeway is risky with or without traffic, and I likely will ride up the mountain this summer once the gates open. The traffic will not discourage me; drivers know there are many bikes moving in both directions.
All this may not stop Central Oregon and Willamette Valley cyclists. We may choose to make a spring day trip to Sisters or Belknap Springs. And, as Zach Urness writes in this detailed, well-reported Statesman Journal article, ODOT has no plan to enforce the closure “at this time.”
Those traveling longer distances to experience one of Oregon’s superlative cycling opportunities may think twice about a spring trip.
My suggestion: Plan a summer ride. Schedule it on a weekday when traffic should be lighter, and entertain the idea of climbing the western slope from Belknap Springs, 58 miles east of Eugene. It’s a beautiful ride up through the Willamette National Forest and across basalt lava flows to the summit.
To better appreciate the McKenzie Pass experience, consider reading my book “Cycling Across Oregon.”
Dan Shryock is a travel writer and career journalist who focuses on cycle tourism. Based in Oregon, his work has appeared in magazines and websites in California and the Pacific Northwest. His book, “Cycling Across Oregon: Stories, Surprises & Revelations Along the State’s Scenic Bikeways” is available on Amazon.
I was lucky to climb McKenzie Pass (from Sisters) in 2023, the week after I rode Cycle Oregon. For these events I specially came over from the Netherlands, fulfilling a long desired dream. My climb was perfect, great weather, almost no traffic. So you can just enjoy it also when the 242 is open to all traffic, just have an early start. And compared to here back home, traffic is always very low :-)
Thanks Dan- great info- I have stayed at Belknap Springs and riden part of the ride over the pass. It's beautiful!