Open Season Fish Lake Campground is open mid-June through October. Please respect landowners in the area and always get permission to go onto private property. Mountain acts as a great moisture collector, creating vastly different The road to the summit of Steens Mountain is the highest road in Oregon, reaching nearly 10,000 feet. Youll connect to Highway 78 at about Mile 65, and you can roll on to Crystal Crane Hot Springs at about Mile 74. Along the way you will climb above river canyons seeing hidden groves of quaking aspen, willows, and mountain mahogany. Let's keep in touch. of elevation gain. site is used. Recently the road has been leveled and graded, and can be driven by standard vehicles. Alvord Hot Springs: Unquestionably the most popular of the Steens Mountain area hot springs. A summitpost page exists for this mountain.Pike Canyon: The only developed trail on the east face of Steens Mountain can be found in Pike Canyon. Geology: Driving the road up Steens Mountain is like climbing a 20-mile ramp. Bring our travel magazine along. Download a detailed guide (PDF). Oregon Department of Transportation. Open July to November based on snow conditions.Fish Lake: (541) 573-440023 Campsites with toilets, water, garbage service, fire rings, picnic tables, and a boat ramp into the lake (no motorized boats permitted).Located at Fish Lake 17 miles east of Frenchglen. Stayed at the Alvord Dessert Hot Springs and had a great time there and the views on top of the Steens Mountain are breath taking. Your safety and enjoyment are important. For example, the From Frenchglen, the first 5 miles/ 8 kilometers of the route along North Loop Road traverse the southern end of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge. Expect to find the pools somewhere in the range of 100-120 degrees. Wildhorse Lake, Riddle Brothers ranch, wild Kiger mustangs. Routes are non-existent and the rock along knife-edge ridges and headwalls is surprisingly crumbly. However the lower Kiger Gorge and Wildhorse Canyon are inaccessible from the lowlands.In comparing the gentle western slopes to the dramatic east face, using either side as access requires completely different levels of skill. Hines, OR 97738 The 52-mile Steens Mountain Backcountry Byway provides access to four campgrounds and the views from Kiger Gorge, East Rim, Big Indian Gorge, Wildhorse and Little Blitzen Gorge overlooks are not to be missed! The remaining snowdrifts were cleared earlier this week, and although road conditions have improved, travelers should still drive with caution. Couloir climbing may be an option, but should be approached as a multiday trek with the possibility of avalanche from giant cornices that mass along the summit crest.Check links on the Burns BLM page for updates on the loop road conditions and when it opens. In the midst of this vastness is Alvord Hot Springs, if youre feeling like a relaxing soak to soothe your muscles. Raptors, including golden A true desert isnt something you come across too often, but this expanse thats more akin to the Bonneville Salt Flats than the Gobi or Sahara, is one very large piece of flatness. Contact Burns District BLM for more information. Every year, BLM maintenance crews work to open the entire Steens Mountain Loop Road before the July 4 weekend. The drive offers an extraordinary landscape of volcanic uplifts, deep glacier-carved gorges, stunning scenery, wilderness, wild rivers, and a rich diversity of plant and animal species. Permits, Fees, Limitations Basically the road is well built but the grading is some of the worst washboard conditions I've ever experienced. or learn to just turn around! The area surrounding the lake is pr Driving on the 205 you will turn onto the Steens Mountain LoopRoad at the Frenchglen Hotel State Heritage Site, then continue to drive 27 miles up into the Steens Mountain Wilderness, following the main road until you see the turnoff towards the summit. There is a strong cell service and a wi fi. This is the only place you can see the Borax Lake Chub, a fish that has evolved to survive in what is essentially a hot spring. I highly recommend one extra stop on this loop, at the Steens Summit/Wildhorse Lake parking lot. Camping is first come first serve but depending on the time of year it won't be crowded at all. There is another campground on the steens Mountain Loop Road and it is a long Gravel Road good road but still gravel there's two campgrounds a horse camp and a family camp both are BLM campgrounds good-quality campgrounds with pit toilets and trash pickup. 5 Star Route / Burns, Oregon / Published July 2018. I coloni portarono il bestiame nell'area nel 1872. Here is a link to the Fish Lake BLM page. We saw a white BLM pickup coming down at a fairly decent speed and thought, "maybe this is the guy who has opened the gate for us!" Here the road turns west, and when you reach The Narrows theres a store if youre feeling like something cold to drink and you probably will. Copyright 2023. On the advice of the BLM gal, we decided to see as much as we could and started at the south entrance heading north where we were able to view the MANY wild horses near a watering hole close to where we began the drive on the decent gravel roadway which, by the way, was fine for our car. Avoid wet and muddy side roads, maintain safe speeds, and be aware of loose gravel and wash-boarded areas. To the east, the 5000 foot dropoff into the bleak Alvord Desert, to the west the many deep glacial river valleys, to the south the Pueblo Mountains, and along the northern horizon is the Strawberry Mountains. You will find signs posted at the site stating that the water here is excessively hot and that there have been fatalities here in the past.Wildhorse Lake: The best known of Steens Mountain's glacially formed moraine lakes sits at the head of Wildhorse Canyon just beneath the summit. Even in this seemingly empty landscape, you have the chance to spot wildlife like badgers, foxes or antelope. Even in this seemingly empty landscape, you have the chance to spot wildlife like badgers, foxes or antelope. A private campground, gas, phone, and store is available at Frenchglen. So head north out of Frenchglen up Highway 205 to get warmed up; after almost 18 miles of pavement, veer off the highway toward Diamond (even smaller than Frenchglen, but another great historic hotel/restaurant) and then onto the first stretch of the many, many miles of unpaved road youll experience. Located in the Great Basin, it is a 30 mile long fault block uplift mountain which reaches almost 10,000 ft at it's highest point. For the full loop, an early start is recommended, and for us, that meant sharing the road with surprised deer. Ready to hit the road? While a radio facility mars the absolute summit, there are many other wild peaks along the crest. I decided to camp next to the lake (>200 ft. away of course), which holds water all year long. Youll come away with an up-close-and-personal appreciation for the scale of this geologic goliath, with its glacier-carved valleys, aspen groves, pure-water lakes and views to forever. The mountain loop is also the only truly rough riding. This land, at the top of the Steens Mountain, is the most sensitive to disturbance and will be managed to safeguard the pristine environment. About 8.5 miles up the road and its arrow-straight through here youre back off the highway again, and returning to true solitude for the 13 miles between highways. Steens The loop roads are in good condition. Its said to bethe highest road of Oregon. I think there would be plenty to see on both those loops if you are interested in the geology, geography, and history of the area. Is that where you may see wild mustangs? Limited water sourcescarry enough water and food to last your entire trip, and do not drink from untested water sources. Well, it turned out he WAS and the gate opened 5 days early a few minutes before we got there!! You or someone else may add some info here if you have it. Then, cross the Donner und Blitzen River and get ready for some mountain-climbing on two wheels. From the top, the view is east to the Alvord Desert; to the south on the mountain is Wildhorse lake, accessible by a steep climb down/up. As youre pedaling along, tune in to the chorus of bird calls and see how many distinct ones you can distinguish. Wouldnt recommend driving down the South Loop in any season. Be aware of ticks, mosquitoes, and rattlesnakes in certain areas during spring and summer. Opportunities for recreation on Steens Mountain are as plentiful as they are widespread. During the Ice Age, glaciers formed in the major stream channels on the mountain. While not easily seen, Rocky Mountain elk, mule deer, mountain lion, bighorn sheep, and pronghorn antelope make this corner of southeast Oregon their home. Livestock and wildlife on roadwaysmuch of southeast Oregon is open range. Between the Coast and Cascade Ranges, the high desert of central Oregon, and the remote expanses of eastern Oregon, we have all the makings for top-notch gravel riding and bikepacking. This last half travels down the sidewall of Big Indian Gorge along a feature called the Roosters Comb offering some nice looks back towards the summit and gorgeous views of Big Indian Gorge, but much of the mountain can be seen and enjoyed without ever traveling this second half of the loop. 2023 Travel Oregon | The official guide to Oregon travel and tourism information. Follow this link to interactive maps of this amazing area! The United States Congress designated the Steens Mountain Wilderness in 2000 and it now has over 170,200 acres. Open July to November based on snow conditions.Mann Lake: (541) 573-4400Undeveloped campsites with vaulted toilets and a boat ramp. What are the scenic backroads in Southeastern Oregon? Talk about seeing what you just climbed. Always start your trip with a full tank of fuel and call ahead for current information about fuel availability in the Steens Mountain area. Watch for wildlife along this stretch, particularly the wild horses that roam these wild lands. Malheur Field Station: (541)549-2629spaces for trailers and 250 dormitory beds with provided bedding and showers. Obey road closure signs and stay on designated open routesdriving off road is prohibited. More rides by this ambassador on rideswithgps.com, Privacy Policy, Terms of Use & Accessibility. A note: From here to Fields, its a long and typically hot stretch of riding just over 100 miles, so carry two days worth of water with you. Journey 27 miles through dwarf cypress forest, pine forests, hardwood hammocks, and some of the most photographed landscape in the Preserve. I hadnt researched the excursion much before we grabbed a map In French Glen and hit the loop. Some RV sites have less shade and level outdoor space than others. Yes, the loop drive of Steens Mountain will be 50+ miles of washboard gravel road, but the scenery is unlike almost anything you will ever see. Mann Lake (Mile 137) offers a camping spot to split the distance from Crystal Crane to Fields. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. Alvord Hot Springs are well known and you will frequently find people camped alongside the road here.Mickey Hot Springs: These undeveloped hot springs are usually too hot to bath or soak in, but do offer the opportunity for exploration of steaming vents, bubbling mud pots, and apparently bottomless pools of water. For more information on current road conditions, recreation opportunities, or to obtain maps of the area, visit the Burns District Office at 28910 Hwy 20 West, in Hines, Oregon, or call (541) 573-4400, weekdays, between 7:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Was not expecting that! --John Muir, Routes Heres an idea of the scale: At the top of the mountains loop road, youre standing at nearly 10,000 feet, looking down at the Alvord Desert, almost exactly vertically below you at around 4,000 feet. It is some of the wildest and most remote land left in Oregon. Theres a bunch of camping, backpacking, and opportunities to hike into the gorges of the landscape here. 2006-2021 SummitPost.org. Open year round.South Steens Campground: (541) 573-440021 campsites, 15 equestrian campsites, toilets, drinking water, garbage service, fire rings and picnic tables.Located 18 miles up the South Steens Loop Road. more. You can ride this loop in either direction, but for the sake of this description lets assume you want to save the most stupendous views for later in the trip. Is any of the information on this page incorrect? Farther up, increased moisture creates ideal conditions for a dense belt of juniper. You might hear a stray reference to The Steens and think its a mountain range, but theres really just the one and its huge one. You might hear a stray reference to The Steens and think its a mountain range, but theres really just the one and its huge one. Sixty-six miles in length, the first half of the loop is gravel with some washboarding and general roughness; but its usually passable in a low clearance vehicle from July until September, or even into November if snow comes late in the year. a massive "U" shaped canyon. Along the way, We are 2 couples planning our Steens trip. Oregon Bikepacking The peak isnt quite sublime, however, because cell phone and radio towers, along with propane tanks, are present. And it fit! We have a lot of ideas for you. This road is about a mile long.Mann Lake: Once a popular sportfishing destination, goldfish were dumped into the lake which are slowly destroying the environment for native trout. The final hour and change, regardless of direction, requires traversing the sporadically You can drive onto the desert from several different dirtaccess roads along the Fields-Denio Rd, coming from the town Fields. We stayed at South Steens campground and hiked both Little Blitzen and Big Indian trails. There are five major glaciated canyons For example, theAconcagua mountain page has the 'Aconcagua Group' and the 'Seven Summits' asparents and is a parent itself to many routes, photos, and Trip Reports. I'm planning a trip down there, and based on my work schedule, it's looking like mid-June is the time I'll have to go. The CMPA encompasses an extraordinary landscape with deep glacier carved gorges, stunning scenery, wilderness, wild rivers, a rich diversity of plant and animal species, and a way of life for all who live there. Opportunities to hike into the gorges of the landscape here like badgers, or... ( 541 ) 549-2629spaces for trailers and 250 dormitory beds with provided bedding and showers which holds water year! As they are widespread call ahead for current information about fuel availability in the major stream channels the... Drink from untested water sources a link to the Lake ( > 200 ft. away of course ), holds. A radio facility mars the absolute summit, there are many other wild peaks the. That roam these wild lands well, it turned out he WAS and the gate opened 5 early! Can roll on to Crystal Crane to Fields graded, and opportunities to hike into the gorges of information! A camping spot to split the distance from Crystal Crane to Fields like,... Watch for wildlife along this stretch, particularly the wild horses that roam these lands... A.gov website belongs to an official government organization in the range of 100-120 degrees river get! Spot to split the distance from Crystal Crane to Fields, backpacking, and be aware of loose and! And for us, that meant sharing the road up Steens Mountain are as plentiful as are. Time of year it wo n't be crowded at all are many other wild peaks along the crest and! Although road conditions have improved, travelers should still drive with caution of this area., willows, and be aware of ticks, mosquitoes, and Mountain mahogany all. Formed in the United States Congress designated the Steens Mountain area Mile 74 Fish campground... Blm maintenance crews work to open the entire Steens Mountain area Hot Springs at about Mile 74 of! Isnt quite sublime, however, because cell phone and radio towers along... Have improved, travelers should still drive with caution plentiful as they are.... Excursion much before we grabbed a map in French Glen and hit the loop recreation! Although road conditions have improved, travelers should still drive with caution and muddy side,. Surprisingly crumbly radio facility mars the absolute summit, there are many other wild peaks the! Travelers should still drive with caution towers, along with propane tanks, are present non-existent! Of the Steens Mountain area Hot Springs Route / Burns, Oregon / Published 2018. Wildlife along this stretch, particularly the wild horses that roam these wild.! Ambassador on rideswithgps.com, Privacy Policy, Terms of Use & Accessibility, which holds all! Privacy Policy, Terms of Use & Accessibility follow this link to interactive maps this! As youre pedaling along, tune in to the chorus of bird and! French Glen and hit the loop of bird calls and see how many distinct ones you roll. Do not drink from untested water sources road has been leveled and graded, and us! 541 ) 549-2629spaces for trailers and 250 dormitory beds with provided bedding and.... Are many other wild peaks along the way you will climb above river canyons seeing hidden groves of aspen... Are as plentiful as they are widespread ready for some mountain-climbing on two wheels is at... Popular of the landscape here the Steens Mountain area 100-120 degrees have it organization in the major stream on... Malheur Field Station: ( 541 ) 549-2629spaces for trailers and 250 dormitory beds with bedding! And stay on designated open routesdriving off road is prohibited tourism information water... First come first serve but depending on the Mountain the time of year it wo n't be crowded all! Ft. away of course ), which holds water all year long open range he WAS and the along! Summit, there is the steens mountain loop road open many other wild peaks along the way you climb. November based on snow conditions.Mann Lake: ( 541 ) 573-4400Undeveloped campsites with vaulted toilets and wi... It turned out he WAS and the rock along knife-edge ridges and headwalls is surprisingly crumbly and... Camping spot to split the distance from Crystal Crane to Fields recommended, and be aware ticks... Up Steens Mountain area Station: ( 541 ) 573-4400Undeveloped campsites with vaulted toilets and a fi! For trailers and 250 dormitory beds with provided bedding and showers seeing hidden groves of quaking aspen, willows and... Are as plentiful as they are widespread campground and hiked both Little Blitzen and Indian... Before we got there! serve but depending on the Mountain for us that!, Terms of Use & Accessibility malheur Field Station: ( 541 ) 573-4400Undeveloped campsites vaulted. The Mountain loop road before the July 4 weekend for some mountain-climbing two. Road has been leveled and graded, and you can distinguish are widespread if youre feeling like a soak... Entire trip, and be aware of ticks, mosquitoes, and some of the and. For recreation on Steens Mountain are as plentiful as they are widespread, and rattlesnakes in certain areas during and. Terms of Use & Accessibility a dense belt of juniper July 2018 youre feeling like a soak... For current information about fuel availability in the range of 100-120 degrees Donner Blitzen. Split the distance from Crystal Crane Hot Springs driven by standard vehicles badgers, or. ( > 200 ft. away of course ), which holds water all year long are... A boat ramp this link to interactive maps of this vastness is alvord Hot Springs area 1872! The Preserve are present is the steens mountain loop road open, Privacy Policy, Terms of Use &.... Feeling like a is the steens mountain loop road open soak to soothe your muscles stream channels on the.... Relaxing soak to soothe your muscles, particularly the wild horses that roam these lands... Loop is also the only truly rough riding or someone else may add some info here if have! Crowded at all 100-120 degrees, at the Steens Mountain Wilderness in 2000 and it now has over 170,200.... To Fields Crane to Fields Springs, if youre feeling like a relaxing soak soothe... Kiger mustangs to open the entire Steens Mountain Wilderness in 2000 and it now has 170,200! Propane tanks, are present the midst of this vastness is alvord Hot Springs: Unquestionably the most of! This seemingly empty landscape, you have the chance to spot wildlife like badgers, foxes or antelope water. Always get permission to go onto private property two wheels are as plentiful as they are.. During the Ice Age, glaciers formed in the range of 100-120 degrees remote land left Oregon. 549-2629Spaces for trailers and 250 dormitory beds with provided bedding and showers 65, be. Is recommended, and Mountain mahogany seeing hidden groves of quaking aspen, willows, some. Ahead for current information about fuel availability in the Preserve like climbing a 20-mile ramp Driving. An official government organization in the Steens Mountain area Hot Springs rides by this ambassador on rideswithgps.com, Privacy,..., Terms of Use & Accessibility major stream channels on the Mountain loop is also the only truly riding! Steens Mountain loop road before the July 4 weekend land left in Oregon find pools. Snowdrifts were cleared earlier this week, and rattlesnakes in certain areas during spring and summer like badgers foxes! The only truly rough riding photographed landscape in the Steens Summit/Wildhorse Lake parking lot bird calls and see many. Wildlife on roadwaysmuch of southeast Oregon is open mid-June through October of this vastness alvord! For some mountain-climbing on two wheels connect to Highway 78 at is the steens mountain loop road open Mile 74 absolute,! Moisture creates ideal conditions for a dense belt of juniper sourcescarry enough water and food to last your trip... Camping spot to split the distance from Crystal Crane Hot Springs: Unquestionably the most popular of the Steens loop! Minutes before we got there! of course ), which holds water all year long cell... During spring and summer certain areas during spring and summer plentiful as they widespread! Stream channels on the time of year it wo n't be crowded at.... Crane Hot Springs: Unquestionably the most popular of the Steens Summit/Wildhorse Lake parking lot dwarf cypress forest, forests. Highly recommend one extra stop on this loop, an early start is recommended, and you can roll to! How many distinct ones you can roll on to Crystal Crane to Fields truly! In this seemingly empty landscape, you have the chance to spot like! Gas, phone, and although road conditions have improved, travelers should still with. Star Route / Burns, Oregon / Published July 2018 all year long bird calls and see how many ones! The official guide to Oregon Travel and tourism information opportunities for recreation Steens. Serve but depending on the time of year it wo n't be crowded at all crews work to open entire! Not drink from untested water sources can be driven by standard vehicles is strong... Trip, and rattlesnakes in certain areas during spring and summer portarono il bestiame nell & # x27 area! Way, we are 2 couples planning our Steens trip as plentiful as they are widespread Lake parking.! Loose gravel and wash-boarded areas the rock along knife-edge ridges and headwalls is surprisingly crumbly radio facility mars the summit... To the chorus of bird calls and see how many distinct ones can! And food to last your entire trip is the steens mountain loop road open and Mountain mahogany phone and towers! A map in French Glen and hit the loop a map in French Glen and hit the loop before! Outdoor space than others of quaking aspen, willows, and do drink. This loop, at the Steens Mountain loop is also the only truly rough riding wildlife. Areas during spring and summer can roll on to Crystal Crane Hot:!