Madras & Mt Jefferson

Madras OR—a little over 2 hours SE of Portland OR, Hwy 26 (east side of Mt Hood & the Cascades)

     Previous trips to the east side of the Cascade Mtns I hadn't the time I wanted to spend in the Madras area, and missed the Warm Springs Museum, so that was my goal this trip at end of summer 2025.  I had hoped by Sept Mt Jefferson would have new snow, but no, it was still summer up there.  I was very disappointed about that, until I saw the great views of the mountain in the smoky sunset.

Brochure for The Museum at Warm Springs--2189 Highway 26, Warm Springs OR

The Museum at Warm Springs--2189 Highway 26, Warm Springs OR, across from Indian Head Casino
     The price of admission is quite reasonable.  There's a gift shop with things from Pendleton Woolen Mills, artists, jewelry and such, other tourist gifts and items.  Great film in the theater, great displays in the main exhibit hall, plus there's an interesting exhibit room with natives in rodeos and other displays.  Here are a few pictures I hope will tantalize, but I intend to post more when I publish "Native Americans of the PNW".

• https://museum.warmsprings-nsn.gov/
• https://warmsprings-nsn.gov/tribal-programs/enterprises/

Culver OR--about 9 mi SW of Madras OR
     This pretty tiny town has a great park with family & community friendly amenities and events.  The town has visitor conveniences such as restaurants and recreational supplies.  Great views of Mt. Jefferson.

• https://traveloregon.com/places-to-go/cities/culver/
• https://www.oregonencyclopedia.org/articles/culver/
• https://www.cityofculver.net/newsletters

The Cove Palisades State Park—about 3 mi NW of Culver OR
​     I required the Google Gal to direct me to Cove Palisades from Culver.

• https://traveloregon.com/things-to-do/destinations/lakes-reservoirs/lake-billy-chinook/
• https://stateparks.oregon.gov/index.cfm?do=park.profile&parkId=24
• https://visitcentraloregon.com/articles/your-guide-to-an-epic-lake-billy-chinook-day-plus-time-well-spent-in-culver/
• https://covepalisadesresort.com/ resort & marina

Crooked River Campground offering RV & tent camping, trash, recycling, and RV dumping

The road down to the marina, day use area, and beyond

Cove Palisades Resort and Marina--5700 SW Marina Dr, NW of Culver OR 97734

Crooked River Day Use Area--5700 SW Marina Dr, near Culver OR 97734

Madras OR—a little over 2 hours SE of Portland OR, Hwy 26 (east side of Mt Hood & the Cascades)
​     Hwy 26 splits just south of Sonic Drive-in, into 4th St southbound and 5th St northbound.  At the south end the split is at Madras Truck Stop & Cafe.

• https://www.madraschamber.com/ Visitor Guide, links for things to see & do, useful event calendar
• https://www.madras.gov/community/page/welcome-madras with 2.5 min video
• https://www.madras.gov/parksites
• https://www.madras.gov/publicworks/page/parks-department trail system, street tree list

Sahalee Park--7th & C streets, Madras OR

On the way to Culver OR and Cove Palisades State Park

4th St = southbound Hwy 26 between Sonic Drive-in at 222 NW 4th St, Madras, and Madras Truck Stop & Cafe at ​992 US-97, Madras, OR 97741

5th St = northbound Hwy 26 through downtown

Historic Jefferson County Courthouse & Jail—34 SE D St, Madras OR (NW corner 6th & D Streets)

• https://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/wmPHCQ_Former_Jefferson_County_Courthouse_Madras_OR
• https://heritagedata.prd.state.or.us/historic/index.cfm?do=v.dsp_siteSummary&resultDisplay=37974

Jefferson County Historical Society --164 SE D St, Madras, OR 97741 (SE 8th & D Streets)

• https://jeffcohistorical.org/

Sahalee Park--SE 7th & C St, Madras OR 97741

• https://www.madras.gov/publicworks/park/sahalee-park

Open Space park--7th to 9th St 
     bike path, picnic tables

• https://www.madras.gov/publicworks/park/7th-9th-street-open-space

The Inn at Cross Keys--66 NW Cedar St, Madras, OR 977411; just off Hwy 26
     Across from Safeway, next to The Bunkhouse

• https://www.innatcrosskeysstation.com/

The Bunk House at Cross Keys--706 Bunkhouse Rd, Madras, OR 9774
     Take NW Cedar St just off Hwy 26, across from Safeway.

• https://www.bunkhouseatcrosskeys.com/

Erickson Aircraft Collection— 2408 NW Berg Drive, Madras OR 97741

• https://www.ericksoncollection.com

On my way home I stopped for gas at Safeway, cheaper than anywhere along the way, as well as at home.

Madras Airport area, off Hwy 26, aka NW Warm Springs Hwy
​Plateau Travel Plaza, Sinclair gas & Madras Airport & Industrial Park--NW Cherry Lane, Madras OR
​Jefferson County World War II Veterans War Memorial--2028 NW Airport Way, Madras OR 97741
Erickson Aircraft Collection--2408 NW Berg Dr, Madras OR 97741 (within Madras Airport)

Mt Jefferson from near the Madras OR airport, when smoky haze made a beautiful sunset