[2] It is 73.35 miles (118.05 km) long and runs north–south, connecting the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge to Burns.

The highway has also been designated the High Desert Discovery Scenic Byway by the Bureau of Land Management.

[3][4] OR 205 begins at the Roaring Springs Ranch as a continuation of Catlow Valley Road, which connects with Nevada State Route 292 near Denio, Nevada.

The highway continues north on the rim of Jackass Mountain through parts of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, crossing between Harney Lake and Malheur Lake in Sunset Valley.

After briefly turning west to cross Wrights Point, OR 205 continues due north through Harney Valley and terminates at a junction with OR 78 east of Burns.