Enjoy the Open Road on the Diamond Loop Back Country Byway

Take a ride on Oregon’s Diamond Loop Back Country Byway, a 64-mile byway filled with rich history, arresting landscapes, and rare wildlife. Beginning near the town of Frenchglen, the Diamond Loop Back Country Byway will keep you engaged every time you visit.

View of Diamond Valley (OR) [1]

The byway runs through the towns of Frenchglen, Diamond, and New Princeton. Diamond, the byway's smallest town, can be described as the antithesis of the fast-paced, consumer-driven world we live in. In its prime during the late 1800s, Diamond only had 50 residents. Once a “major merchandising outlet for ranchers,” this historic town is the perfect stop for any history enthusiast traveling the byway.

One of the last buildings in Diamond is the historic Hotel Diamond. The Hotel Diamond was built at the turn of the century during Diamond’s peak and was fully restored in 1990. This rustic, ranch-style hotel embodies old-fashioned style with all the modern conveniences a traveler would need. After exploring the sites on the Diamond Loop Back Country Byway, spend the evening on the hotel’s expansive screened porch overlooking the town of Diamond while sipping a warm beverage and listening to the sounds of the Oregon evening. For more information, check out the Hotel Diamond website.

The Pete French Round Barn (OR) [2]

The Pete French Round Barn, registered on the National Register of Historic Places in 1971, is one of the many impressive sites on the Diamond Loop Back Country Byway. Built in the late 1870s to early 1880s, this statuesque circular stable was originally used to train horses in the winter and has become quite the tourist destination. The barn is 100 feet in diameter, consisting of central stables surrounded by an indoor track. Come explore this remnant of the past, located just 10 miles north of Diamond on the Diamond Loop Back Country Byway.

Some of the most unique features on the Diamond Loop Back Country Byway are the rare Kiger Mustangs, which roam the rolling hills they call home. Believed to be direct descendants of the Spanish horses brought to America in the late 16th century, the Kiger Mustangs are some of the most rare and beautiful horses in America. The population is kept between 51 and 82 horses at a time, though it has stayed between 30 and 50 in the past years, attesting to their rarity. Check out one of the many Wild Horse Viewing Areas along the byway and see if you can spot this unique breed—look for the slightly smaller build and ears with hooked tips.

Malheur Maar at Diamond Craters Outstanding Natural Area (OR) [3]

Don’t miss the Diamond Craters Outstanding Natural Area, about 13 miles northeast of the town of Diamond. This otherworldly landscape was formed in the last 25,000 years and is filled with all sorts of volcanic formations. Make sure you don’t get lost—this self-guided natural area is 17,000 acres! Explore the natural wonders of this remarkable landscape on the Diamond Loop Back Country Byway.

Touch the past, view rare fauna, and explore peculiar landscapes on your byway ventures, and who knows— the Diamond Loop Back Country Byway’s fascinating qualities just may keep you coming back for more, year after year.