Getting AroundWednesday, November 4
McKenzie Pass closes Thursday, and Cascade Lakes Highway follows Nov. 17
The Bend Daily News team
If you love a mountain drive, take one soon. ODOT crews will close McKenzie Pass, OR 242 on Thursday, Nov. 5. The Deschutes County Road Department will close Cascade Lakes Highway and Paulina Lake Road at 8 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 17.
Two mountain road closures land in November
November 2026
- McKenzie Pass closes
- Cascade Lakes, Paulina Lake Rd
Check TripCheck.com or call 511 for open routes.
Source: MyCentralOregon.com
View as table
| Days | |
|---|---|
| McKenzie Pass closes | Nov. 5 |
| Cascade Lakes, Paulina Lake Rd | Nov. 17 |
- McKenzie Pass (OR 242): closes Thursday, Nov. 5
- Cascade Lakes Highway: closes 8 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 17
- Paulina Lake Road: closes 8 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 17
- Reopening: typically before Memorial Day, weather permitting
Both county roads could close early if significant winter weather hits. While the roads are closed to regular traffic, public access is still permitted for cross country skiers. Elk Lake Resort remains open during winter (starting Dec. 18) and offers transportation via snowcat.
Winter snow on Central Oregon's mountain roads can run deep
- 5,325 feet
- is McKenzie Pass's elevation
- 5 to 10 feet
- or more of snow can pile up at the road summits
- 1962
- is when McKenzie Pass became a seasonal scenic highway
Source: MyCentralOregon.com
Sources: MyCentralOregon.com, Redmond Spokesman