Got tension in your life? See what happens when Mother Earth gets tense - up close and personal.
Crack in the Ground, in south central Oregon, was formed some 10,000 years ago when volcanoes erupted in the desolate Fort Rock Basin. Subsequent earthquakes put pressure on existing fault lines and the resulting tension ripped open long fissures in the ground. Virtually all of these fissures filled up with lava or caved in. At Crack-in-the-Ground, however, the gash is still open and stretches two miles long and up to 70 feet below the surface of the earth.
“Entering the crack is like entering another world,” says geologist Daniele McKay. “The path descends into a narrow slot between high rock walls, the desert dryness is replaced by cool moist air, and the sky becomes a narrow band of bright blue high above the chasm.”
Hikers can walk the two-mile length of Crack in the Ground and find it a cool 65-or-so degrees, even if the weather above is sweltering. Other compelling geo-destinations in the area include Fort Rock, Hole in the Ground and Devil’s Garden.
Fort RockWhat else to do in Oregon’s Outback? Camp, walk and hike, drive or bike the Oregon Outback National Scenic Byway, bird watch, fish nearby lakes and streams, mountain bike, explore historic and pre-historic cultural sites.
Link here for a summary of the geological history of this amazing place and other geographical wonders in Christmas Valley.
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Nearby Parks and Attractions
Christmas Valley Sand Dunes
Fort Rock Cave
Fort Rock Valley Historical Homestead Museum
Lost Forest
Nearby Food & Lodging
Food
Cowboy Dinner Tree
The Lodge at Summer Lake See 50% off offer here.
Lakeside Terrace Restaurant: 87275 Spruce Ln, Christmas Valley, 541-576-2309
Camping
Green Mountain Campground (no water)
Lodging
Cowboy Dinner Tree
Lake in the Dunes
Lakeside Terrace Vacation Rentals: 541-419-2826
The Lodge at Summer Lake
The Marlette
Summer Lake Hot Springs
Regional Visitor Center
Southern Oregon Visitors Association
Hotlinks to More Information
Christmas Valley Chamber of Commerce
Christmas Valley Information
Fort Rock Sandals
Fort Rock State Natural Area
