It is 11.62 miles (18.70 km) long and runs north–south as a half loop from US 97, entirely within Jefferson County.

OR 361 was established in 2002 as part of Oregon's project to assign route numbers to highways that previously were not assigned, and, as of July 2021, was unsigned.

OR 361 begins at an intersection with US 26 and US 97 in Madras and heads south through Metolius and Culver.

Approximately 2+1⁄2 miles south of Metolius, OR 361 ends at an intersection with US 97.

The entire route is in Jefferson County.