The Atlas Obscura Guide To Christmas Valley

2 Cool, Hidden, and Unusual Things to Do in Christmas Valley, Oregon

Updated August 7, 2026

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Unusual Attractions in Christmas Valley

Array of antenna masts at the old radar site, probably for the current aurora studies.

Christmas Valley, Oregon

Backscatter Radar Site

The forlorn remains of a late Cold War radar installation are decaying in the Oregon desert

Entry sign on the main road from the west.

Christmas Valley, Oregon

The Lost Forest

An isolated, relict ponderosa pine forest in central Oregon that survives on half the usual rainfall due to a geologic quirk

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Crack in the Ground

Silver Lake, Oregon

Crack in the Ground

A volcanic fissure over two miles long and up to 70 feet deep.

6 miles from Christmas Valley

Skylight on the west side.

Fort Rock, Oregon

Derrick Cave

This lava tube cave was once a Cold War fallout shelter.

22 miles from Christmas Valley

Fort Rock, Oregon

Fort Rock

A volcanic landmark located on an Ice age lake bed.

22 miles from Christmas Valley

Silver Lake, Oregon

Cowboy Dinner Tree

Eat like a "buckaroo" at this remote restaurant.

22 miles from Christmas Valley

The trunk of the juniper. Figure gives scale.

Fort Rock, Oregon

Oregon Co-Champion Juniper

One of two trees tied for the distinction of the largest western juniper in Oregon.

24 miles from Christmas Valley

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