Macks Canyon is at the end of the BLM road. (Jerry Adams)

The trail isn't well marked - go to the (north) end of the campground and walk up the slope where there used to be a trestle crossing Macks Canyon. (Jerry Adams)

• Weather forecast: NWS/NOAA
• Maps: Oregon Hikers Maps Google Maps
• Latitude, Longitude: 45.38843, -120.87583
• Elevation: 490 feet
• Driving time from Portland: 2.5 hours

Hikes starting here

• Deschutes River from Macks Canyon Hike   (TH | <—   —> | LOG)

Driving Directions

From Portland, drive about 80 miles on I-84 to The Dalles.

Go south on Highway 197 for 28 miles.

Go east on Highway 216 for 8 miles. A bit after the highway crosses the Deschutes River (stop here and check out the view), go north on the BLM gravel road.

The BLM gravel road is accessible to passenger cars. There's a bit of washboarding, but if you stay under 20 mph, it's not too bad. There are five campgrounds, some right next to the road, some off a ways. You can build fires October 1st to May 30th, but you have to bring your own wood. There is a water well at one campground, but it was closed for the winter. You're best off bringing your own water. The campsites cost $12 per night in the summer. There's hardly any usage in the winter, but they're probably full in the summer during the fishing and boating season. This would make a nice camping trip if you didn't want to do a major hike.

Seventeen miles down the BLM road is Macks Canyon at the end of the road. There is a parking area, a campground, and a boat ramp. The trail is not well marked. The only sign says 'motor vehicles prohibited'. Go north from the campground on any of several faint trails. Head across Macks Canyon to the slope where there used to be a trestle. Go up the faint trail that diagonals up this slope.

Fees and Regulations

• No fee to park at trailhead

Contributors

• retiredjerry (creator)