Visit Dee Wright Observatory In Blue River Oregon

There are so many ways to witness Oregon’s beauty: take a hike through the forest, walk along a coastal beach, drive on a scenic highway. You can even stay in the comfort of your own home and look at beautiful photos taken by local photographers in our Oregon Nature Lovers Group. Here’s a unique way to view some of the Beaver State’s stunning peaks: the Dee Wright Observatory in Deschutes County.

One of Oregon’s most beautiful roads is the McKenzie Highway, which takes you through the Willamette National Forest from Sisters to Belknap Springs.

Google

At McKenzie Pass, which sits at an elevation of 5,187 feet, you’ll find the Dee Wright Observatory. If you want to see some stunning views, it’s definitely worth a stop.

Lessa Clayton/flickr

The observatory was built in 1935 by the Civilian Conservation Corps. During its construction, Dee Wright, the foreman on the crew, passed away, and the observatory was named in his honor. The structure is made of lava rock, which is fitting since it sits in the middle of a 65-mile-wide swatch of lava rock.

Kirt Edblom/flickr

Take a stroll up the paved path to the observatory. It’s accessible for wheelchairs or strollers.

Shapley_Hunter/Tripadvisor

Inside the observatory, you’ll find a series of windows. Each window frames a different peak in the Cascade Range.

Karsten/Google

Take a look at the Three sisters…

Lisa/flickr

…Mt. Washington…

Thomas Shahan/flickr

…Mt. Jefferson…

David Berry/flickr

… Black Crater, and more.

Byron Hetrick/flickr

Don’t forget to bring your camera, or have your phone handy to snap some photos through these windows.

Maciek Lulko/flickr

If you continue on up the rock staircase to the roof of the observatory, you’ll find the “Peak Finder” compass.

BouvOnTheMove/Tripadvisor

The compass points you right to each peak.

Alexander Manresa/Google

The McKenzie Highway closes during the winter, so you’ll have to wait until the spring thaw to see this little Oregon treasure. Put it on your calendar for this spring!

Lisa

Learn more about the Dee Wright Observatory on the U.S. Forest Service’s website. Have you visited this unique spot? If so, tell our readers what you thought about it and give them any tips we may have missed!