Oregon Outback International Dark Sky Sanctuary
My favorite spots to capture the Milky Way near Bend, Oregon.
Before you go.
- The best time is from spring to fall, with my favorite time in August and September.
- Check the moon phases, so the moon is not visible, since that will spoil your photo.
- Go to the location to familiarize yourself with the terrain while there is still light.
- Yes, you can get lost at night in the High Desert.
- You can hire one of our guides or go on your own.
- Make sure you have your Northwest Forest Pass or National Public Lands Pass handy to display on the dash of your car.
- Make sure you have warm clothing, since the High Desert gets cold once the sun sets.
Bend Badlands: Roughly 12 Miles East of Bend on Highway 20 from the traffic light at 27th Street, is a pullout on the right that allows southern vistas. There are several snags—dead Juniper trees that lend themselves to light painting.
Make sure to pull off far enough from the Highway to keep you and your car safe from speeding traffic.
Further east are several access parking lots for the Badlands Wilderness, which are good places to light paint and take photos of the night sky. It is very dark out there. The traffic on Highway 20 can be a source of light pollution. Therefore, I like photographing from the south side of the highway.
Lava Butte, Lava Lands Visitor Center Nature Trail: Just south of Bend along Highway 97 is Lava Butte, part of the Newberry National Volcanic Monument. You can park there all year long, even if it is closed. Simply use the exit to the parking area, which is further west from the main entrance. West of the Visitor Center, there is a nature trail – Trail of the Molten land – that leads into the open lava flow area. There are views towards Mount Bachelor. This is a nice and safe area for Astro- Photography, looking southwest. The trail is paved and wheelchair-accessible.
Dillon Falls, Deschutes National Forest: Heading towards Mount Bachelor on Southwest Century Drive, you turn left on Dillon Falls Road, right before the Cascade Lakes Welcome Station. This is only 7 miles outside the town center. At Dillon Falls, you can follow the Deschutes River down towards the falls, where you have fine views to the southeast and the Milky Way, or head upriver, where you have views over calm water. There are cliffs and a strong river there, so be aware of the dangers at night. Wear sturdy shoes and stay away from the edge. This is a good place to visit when it is still light to know your surroundings.
Sparks Lake, Deschutes National Forest: Further on Century Drive (Cascade Lakes Highway), past Mount Bachelor, you reach Sparks Lake. You can drive past the road leading to the boat ramp. After a large mountain meadow, you get a fine view of Mount Bachelor to the East. Here, you can photograph the last light hitting the volcano and wait for the Milky Way to rise. There are many opportunities here for Astro photography and reflection in the water.
Fort Rock: The town, named after a nearby tuff ring that resembles a fortress and its surroundings, located 67 Miles, southeast of Bend is located in a large area of high desert full of Sage, Bitter and Rabittbrush. You can take some images across the fence of the Fort Rock Homestead Village Museum and light-paint the buildings, or simply photograph the rising Milky Way nearby. In August and September, the Rabittbrush is in bloom and very pretty for landscape photos.
Dee Wright Observatory: Located on the Old McKenzie Highway, west of the town of Sisters. From the view point and further on along the highway, which winds through the lava fields, you get stunning views towards the Three Sisters volcanoes and the rising Milky Way after dark. (Check your Astro App for time and season for the exact location of the Galactic Center)
Shaniko Ghost Town: Located 80 miles north of Bend – you may want to stay overnight in the town of Madras – is the living Ghost town of Shaniko. Although you get some light pollution from town, there are great opportunities for Astro-photography in combination with the light painting of old barns and other buildings.
Favorite spots to photograph the Milky Way By Christian Heeb, International Photographer.
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