US 20 affords the wildflower enthusiast and birder many opportunities to stop and view nature along its length. Many people hurry through this area at 65+ mph on their way to Malheur NWR. However, there is lots to see along this stretch of road, especially during periods of peak bloom, and occasional stops help break up the tedium of the several hour drive between these two cities.

Traffic is sparse (perhaps several cars a minute at most), but please slow down carefully when you see something of interest, and then find a suitable pullout or wide road shoulder. The first 15 miles of highway east of Bend is largely an open forest of Western Juniper on a lava and sand substrate. Further east, the highway passes through open rangeland, with some seasonal riparian areas near the highway. Bloom probably peaks between late May and early July, with a second bloom involving any shrubby composites (like sagebrush) from late summer into late September.

Please be aware that auto services are rare along this stretch of road. Fill your vehicle with gas, and check the oil and fluid amounts and all belts before embarking between Bend and Burns. I just say this, as from previos experience, I usually find at least several vehicles brokendown along this highway each time I pass through.

Barestem Buckwheat: Eriogonum nudum

Strict Buckwheat: Eriogonum strictum var. anserinum

Oval-leaved Buckwheat: Eriogonum ovalifolium var. ovalifolium (White inflorescence)

Oval-leaved Buckwheat: Eriogonum ovalifolium var. celsum (Yellow inflorescence)

Bitterbrush: Purshia tridentata

Thread-stalk Milk-vetch: Astragalus filipes

White-stemmed Mentzelia: Mentzelia albicaulis

Navarettia: Navarettia species

Few-flowered Blue-eyed Mary: Collinsia sparsiflora var. bruciae?

Dwarf Purple Monkey-flower: Mimulus nanus

Woolly Groundsel: Senecio canus

Woolly Sunflower: Eriophyllum lanatum

Tidytips: Layia glandulosa

Showy Townsendia: Townsendia florifer

Round-headed Buckwheat: Eriogonum sphaerocephalum

Upland Larkspur: Delphinium nuttallianum

Specklepod Milk-vetch: Astragalus lentiginosus

Threadstalk Milk-vetch: Astragalus filipes

Sickle Milk-vetch: Astragalus curvicarpus var. brachycodon

Hairy Paintbrush: Castilleja pilosa

Penstemon: Penstemon species

Long-leaved Hawksbeard: Crepis acuminata ?

Douglas' Hoary Yarrow: Chaenactis douglasii

Yellow Desert Daisy: Erigeron linearis

Erigeron (white)

Erigeron (purple)

Showy Townsendia: Townsendia florifer

Yarrow: Achillea millefolium

Tapertip Onion: Allium acuminatum

Round-headed Buckwheat: Eriogonum sphaerocephalum

Strict Buckwheat: Eriogonum strictum var. anserinum

Franklin's Sandwort: Arenaria franklinii var. franklinii

Thread-leaved Sandwort: Arenaria capillaris ?

Owl-clover: Orthocarpus species

Narrow-leaf Goldenweed: Happlopappus stenophyllus

One-flowered Goldenweed: Haplopappus uniflorus

Crag Aster, Lava Aster: Aster scopulorum

Volcanic Dwarf Daisy: Erigeron elegantulus ? (small with blue rays)

Yarrow: Achillea millefolium