The Blue Mountain byway is in northeast Oregon. It begins east of Arlington at Exit #147 on I-84 and travels southeast to the junction with FSR 73. Blue Mountain is 130 miles long and follows OR 74, FSR 52, and FSR 53. The roads are two-lane paved roads suitable for all types of vehicles. Oregon Highway 74 is generally open year-round; the Forest Service Roads are open May through mid-November.
The Blue Mountain byway begins on the southern bank of the mighty Columbia River and climbs south through rolling grassland alongside the tumbling waters of Willow Creek. The landscape changes dramatically as you climb up the Blue Mountains through forests of pine and fir, separated by valleys and meadows covered with wildflowers. Wildlife observers will want to be looking for white-tailed deer and bighorn sheep. Other wildlife includes mountain lions, black bears, an occasional bald eagle, and numerous species of songbirds.
Historic Oregon Trail crosses the byway near the community of Cecil. In the mid-1800s wagon trains wore deep ruts in the land as more pioneers moved westward. Evidence of the Oregon Trail wagon wheel ruts can be seen near Wells Spring, 13 miles east of Cecil.
Travelers will find plenty of opportunities for outdoor recreation. The Ukiah-Dale State Park is situated on the banks of Camas Creek and offers 25 campsites for tents. It also has picnic tables and drinking water. Umatilla National Forest offers numerous campgrounds directly along or a short distance from the byway. Three small campgrounds are near the byway’s eastern terminus. Drift Fence has three sites for tent camping, Big Creek has two. There are five sites suitable for either tents or recreational vehicles at the North Fork John Day Campground. None of the campgrounds have drinking water.