Siskiyou Pass in Oregon 2025

Siskiyou Pass is a historic mountain pass that links California and Oregon. At the beginning of the 19th century, it was actively used by the first Euro-American settlers in the region. Now, it’s one of the most used passes in the state of Oregon.

Siskiyou Pass is often referred to as Siskiyou Summit. However, these two names stand for different objects. Siskiyou Summit is the highest point located on Interstate 5 and has an elevation of 4,310 ft (1,314 m). Meanwhile, Siskiyou Pass is a road to the west of the summit and 5 miles (8 km) north of the California border. The Pass runs through the Siskiyou Mountains (a part of the Cascade Range) and has an elevation of 4,129 ft (1,259 m) above the sea level.

The road is pretty steep. On one stretch, in 6 miles (9.7 km), it gains 2,300 ft (700 m) in altitude on a slope of 6%. Hence, it’s quite dangerous to drive down this section of the path, even though the surface is asphalted. The road is closed during the winter as it's not safe to drive due to snow and ice. Besides, it’s better to avoid passing this way during the night or early in the morning due to fog. For your safety, check the forecast before starting the trip as the weather is somewhat unstable in the area.

While passing through the Siskiyou Mountains, you’ll encounter numerous spots for biking, hiking, kayaking, and other mountain-based activities.