You also agree to the storing of cookies on Permits, Fees, Limitations Then, cross the Donner und Blitzen River and get ready for some mountain-climbing on two wheels. site is used. You or someone else may add some info here if you have it. Youll connect to Highway 78 at about Mile 65, and you can roll on to Crystal Crane Hot Springs at about Mile 74. (Great name). One exception however is the Roaring Springs along the Catlow Valley. Seeing it from the Alvord Desert reveals that it is in fact a giant pinnacle of near-unreachable Steens Basalt. Stretching across the High Desert of Southeast Oregon is the most massive of the state's peaks. Give yourself 3 hours to drive with short stops; plan for 4 to 5 if you will be doing more exploring. Cattlemen, Nearby Page Springs Campground sits alongside the Donner und Blitzen River (German for thunder and lightning). The road also provides access to Steens Summit and the Riddle Brothers Ranch National Historic District campgrounds. The peak was renamed in 1860 for United States Army Major Enoch Steen, who fought and drove members of the Paiute tribe off the mountain.Pic: Jared McCullough. Travel the entire loop to experience all this unique landscape's scenic vistas and abundant mix of wildlife. 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. The average gradient is 3.87%. Opportunities for recreation on Steens Mountain are as plentiful as they are widespread. There are five major glaciated canyons Hog Key on the Gulf Coast is open for camping, but the middle of the key is closed. Start in the tiny community of Frenchglen, where the historic hotel is now run as a state park. I debated how to write it. Both ranches continue to operate to this day. Ready to hit the road? A standard touring bike with wider tires (35c to 38c) will work nicely. Getting lostthe remote nature and vast landscape of the Steens Mountain area may leave even the most experienced traveler directionally confused or just plain lost. Official websites use .gov The road is all gravel but is well maintained as long as it's open. What are the scenic backroads in Southeastern Oregon? Steens Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.968m (9,737ft) above the sea level, located in Harney County, in the U.S. state of Oregon. Overviews and short trails offer looks into the picturesque canyons of Big Indian Gorge and Little Blitzen Gorge. That depends on which campgrounds you use but for the most part yes there is a gravel roads to most campgrounds the one I stayed at was Steens Mountain Resort and it was a two and a half mile drive on a gravel road that is a little washboard. Its one of Oregons most rugged and lesser-visited destinations. 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. The area is the premier recreation destination in Southeast Oregon and an iconic part of the Oregon's High Desert landscape. 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. Eventually youll make it to the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, home to tens of thousands of birds who stop here on their long migratory voyages. Talk about seeing what you just climbed. Best access to the summit via the east face is in the region of Kigermann where ridges do not drop off so dramatically along their north and south faces. The loop road is a wonderful multi-day trek for just such an excursion. The Steens Mountain Loop is spectacular, but it can be blocked by snow late into the season as was my experience in June 2022. The road can be rough on the descent, with some washboarding, but its a small price to pay for seeing the land youre riding through. On the way down, Fish Lake offers a nice campground and the chance to catch your dinner. When the hard work ends, youll be at the top of the road, at over 9,500 feet, looking back down on that desert you camped in, and the road you pedaled, far below. enhance and customize your user experience, and to analyze how our As you head north on this lonely road, youll find a new level of depth for the phrase wide-open spaces the horizon can seem might far away out here. Hiking is available in all areas and trailheads exist near Page Springs and South Steens Campgrounds, as well as Wildhorse Overlook and Pike Creek. Mann Lake is one of only a couple lakes along the eastside of Steens Mountain that does not dry up. A tilted mesa with an active fault on its steep, eastern side, this fault-block mountain has risen up in the past five to seven million years. Is the Steens Mountain loop road open for Memorial day weekend trip? You'll drive through a herd of sheep on the way up. Looming over Kiger is the eponhymously named Gunsight notch also glacially carved. 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. At the top, there are three glacial gorges the most spectacular of which is Kiger Gorge which is perfectly U-shaped. Here is a link to the Fish Lake BLM page. Some activities within the CMPA, such as motorized access for winter recreation and organized group functions, may require a special-use permit from BLM. I would never pull a travel trailer up there. There is a strong cell service and a wi fi. For some reason I heard it in my head in the voice of those guys that do the Monster Truck event comme. Please respect landowners in the area and always get permission to go onto private property. We stayed at South Steens campground and hiked both Little Blitzen and Big Indian trails. The loop road is a wonderful multi-day trek for just such an excursion. Please explore responsibly! From Burns follow State Route 205 south for about 60 miles to Frenchglen, which hosts a store, gas station, and post office in one building that is not always open; and a nice historic hotel (think bed and breakfast). It is some of the wildest and most remote land left in Oregon. This grueling but extreme-adventurous 276-mile loop takes you around and on top of Steens. Steens Mountain, in far SE Oregon, is one of the most amazing wilderness places accessible by car. And once you turn right onto the Loop Road (Mile 220), your world starts turning upward the first climb gains about 1,000 feet over 7 miles. I did not see any mustangs while there. Weather UV Index Daylight Saturday 27 / 11 F Sunday 19 / 3 F Monday Starting at approximately 4300, Pike Creek trail is about 5.4 miles RT to Pikes Knob, out and back, however the entire hike is stunning and there is no wrong place to turn back. The payback for the many miles of climbing is the steep downhill back to Frenchglen. Imagine my surprise having just returned from Moab, Utah and finding the most beautiful tourquoise bracelet in little tiny, French Glen! On behalf of Oregon Bikepacking and VeloDirt, we present a select number of our routes that we find particularly special. The 52-mile Steens Mountain Backcountry Byway provides easy access to the mountain's four campgrounds and the Kiger Gorge and East Rim scenic viewpoints. The loop roads are in good condition. Hiking is available in all areas and trailheads exist near Page Springs and South Steens Campgrounds, as well as Wildhorse Overlook and Pike Creek. Children refers to the set of objects that logically fall under a given object. Be prepared for sudden lightning storms, snow, rain, and high winds. When I was there in late May the Loop Road was still closed due to snow. Write a review to inform other visitors! A lock ( If not for the road beating I'd rate it a 5.0 The weather up there can be quite a bit different than down at Frenchglen so prepare for possible wind and cold. The famous notch in the east ridge of Kiger Gorge formed during a later glaciation when a small glacier in Mann Creek Canyon eroded through the ridge top. Opportunities for recreation on Steens Mountain are as plentiful as they are widespread. 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. Steens Mountain, Frenchglen: Address, Steens Mountain Reviews: 5/5. KigerMann: With 500 feet of prominence this is the highest point along the Steens Mountain crest at its northern end. Kigermann is one of Oregon's Hundred Highest Peaks. High Clearance Vehicles Recommended on some portions of the Steens Mountain Loop. Steens Mountain is an example of a fault-block mountain, formed when adventures and follow local regulations. Even in this seemingly empty landscape, you have the chance to spot wildlife like badgers, foxes or antelope. 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. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Let's keep in touch. 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. as well as Irish and Basque sheepherders, were once drawn to the upper I was first introduced to SE Oregon through the Giant Loop Motorcycle Tour. massive internal pressure forced the east edge upward along a fault line. Start in the tiny community of Frenchglen, where the historic hotel is now run as a state park. It can be driven by standard vehicles and passenger cars shouldnt have any trouble. Massive internal pressures forced the east edge of the Steens upward. I saw lots of wildlife several herds of wild horses, and coyote and Antelope. Borax Lake on the Nature Conservancy Page, Old Steens Mountain Summitpost Page originally created by Mutant1, Unique locations along the Steens escarpment, Hiking, Mountaineering, Bouldering, Mixed, Scrambling. The mountain loop is also the only truly rough riding. The road to the summit is steep. To avoid any potential issues, it's best to camp on the south, e Take in the View from Steens Mountain Summit, Hike Pike Creek Trail in the Steens Mountains. LockA locked padlock Burns which calls itself the "Gateway to the Steens" offers the amenities of a large town and has a population hovering around 3000. It's an amazingly scenic drive that is a worthy part of any trip to the Steens. 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. As you leave the junipers, you will be surrounded by large expanses of Mountain big sagebrush. All of this wilderness is located in Oregon and is managed by the Bureau of Land Management. It seems like most people dont know about Steens Mountain, and fewer have been. Livestock and wildlife on roadwaysmuch of southeast Oregon is open range. Recently the road has been leveled and graded, and can be driven by standard vehicles. Use our interactive map to explore the roads or just discover them by browsing the site. The mountains high elevation can cause rapid temperature changes. Notes: Consider the timing of your journey: Theres almost no shade in this area that routinely hits 90 degrees, and water is extremely limited. Wood is not readily available, and the cutting down of trees should not be practiced at any cost, although its immediately apparent some of the aspens here have been cut down. Over this distance the elevation gain is 1.689 meters. Thats more than a mile, nearly straight down. 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. Burns District Office of Bureau of Land Management (541-573-4400), Burns BLM PageMalheur National Wildlife RefugeBorax Lake on the Nature Conservancy PageSteens Mountain CanyonsOld Steens Mountain Summitpost Page originally created by Mutant1, Steens Mountain is named for Eunoch Steen an Army Major who led campaigns against the Northern Paiutes on the mountain. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. Starting at the tiny, historic town of Frenchglen, on OR-205, the ascent is 43.61km (27.1 miles) long. The full loop is a long day of serious gravel cycling with more than 7,500 feet in elevation gain. Several different herds of wild horses also exist in the area and livestock may be seen on both public and private land. From the trailhead at the end of the road, the summit is just a short hike. For the full loop, an early start is recommended, and for us, that meant sharing the road with surprised deer. A. On a clear day, you can see beyond Oregon to Nevada, Idaho and California. Go big or go home . 2006-2021 SummitPost.org. Solitude at it's finest. Alvord Hot Springs: Unquestionably the most popular of the Steens Mountain area hot springs. your device to facilitate the operation and functionality of our site, I know it typically isn't open until July but given the lighter than normal snowfall this year, I thought maybe we'd get lucky. Please take a short survey (5 minutes or less) and help us understand what features are most important to you and what we could improve about TripCheck services.Thank you. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. Check with local BLM authorities. 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. Its a rustic resort that offers several ways to soak in a hot pool, plus camping and a store. The loop road typically opens in June, but snowfall in this desert land can be highly variable from year to year. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. 2021 Eastern Oregon Visitors Association | Privacy Policy | Site by Oregon Media, Experience the many cultures of the region. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. Itll make your jaw drop. High quality tires are a must for all vehicles, even when traveling on maintained routes. Parents refers to a larger category under which an object falls. Your epic journey-type ride. My dad and I drove this loop earlier this summer and I was shocked that Steens isn't considered one of the 7 Wonders of Oregon. Hines, OR 97730. mountain in the summer to graze their stock on the lush meadows that thrive Any snow was off the roadway and we could see the Alvord Desert below as well as mountain peaks in the distance and deep valleys below. Frenchglen Hotel is located next door.Located on the south end of Frenchglen.Page Springs: (541)573-440036 Campsites along the Blitzen River with toilets, water, garbage service, fire rings and picnic tables.Located 3 miles east of Frenchglen on the Steens Mountain Loop Road and open year round.Jackman Park: (541)573-44006 Campsites with toilets, water, garbage service, fire rings and picnic tables.Located 19 miles east of Frenchglen on the Steens Mountain Loop Road near Fish Lake. Distance: 59 miles In summer driving the loop road offers quick access to the summit via a quarter mile hike up a maintenance road. As you crest and start downhill, take the time to stop for Kiger Gorge, perhaps the most magnificent of the glacial gorges carved into this mountain. At 7782 feet Devine Rock is one of the more difficult summits in Southeast Oregon as it's protected by cliff bands on all faces. Steens Mountain is a mighty fault-block edifice that rises dramatically from its surroundings. LockA locked padlock We recommend high clearance or 4x4 vehicles for primitive roads, including the steep and rocky portion of the Steens Mountain Loop Road near South Steens Campground. The remaining snowdrifts were cleared earlier this week, and although road conditions have improved, travelers should still drive with caution. Borax Lake is 10 acres, and water welling up from within it feeds a series of cooler ponds and marshes surrounding the primary spring. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. A lock ( Rarely seen are the regions Bighorn Sheep. All Rights Reserved. The Kiger Gorge overlook offers the visitor a breathtaking Fish Lake is stocked with Rainbows although other types of trout may be found also. (There is a collection of cell towers on top so it is easy to spot, as well as being marked by signs)There is a parking lot from which you ca Mann Lake can be found in the Steens Mountain Wilderness area. 5 Star Route / Burns, Oregon / Published July 2018. 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. Do you know any spectacular road?Click here to send us all the info, and we'll publish it! It isnt until the Kiger Gorge overlook that the sense of elevation really takes hold. If you like scenery in the middle of nowhere there is no better place. The east face of the fault scarp drops immediately over one vertical mile to the Alvord Desert and in places would require true mountaineering ability to climb. 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. The climb up and west from Fields on Highway 205 will give you a miniature preview of what youll encounter scaling Steens later on. Its called Steens Mountain Loop Road. It offers a great view of the sunset and if you stay at night will offer the one best stargazing in all of the U.S. as Steens Mountain claims the darkest skies in all of the lower 48 states. Theres a bunch of camping, backpacking, and opportunities to hike into the gorges of the landscape here. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Mountain acts as a great moisture collector, creating vastly different We are 2 couples planning our Steens trip. 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. Odds are good if you have sharp enough eyes (or binoculars) youll see elk on the canyon floor thousands of feet below and you might even spy the famous Kiger Mustangs, a legendarily beautiful band of wild horses that roam this remote part of the state. The North Loop road is not as steep as the South Loop. Malheur Field Station: (541)549-2629spaces for trailers and 250 dormitory beds with provided bedding and showers. But it's really a pretty good gravel road. While a radio facility mars the absolute summit, there are many other wild peaks along the crest. Burns District Office Although not posted as such, several campsites with fire rings exist at the trailhead. Privacy Policy, Terms of Use & Accessibility. Please be aware of: The Steens Mountain Cooperative Management and Protection Area contains a mixture of public and private lands and specially designated areas where particular regulations may apply. I can recommend a few Scenic Byways, September 21, 2011 (Updated September 1, 2017). wild horse country. Bring our travel magazine along. --John Muir, Routes While not easily seen, Rocky Mountain elk, mule deer, mountain lion, bighorn sheep, and pronghorn antelope make this corner of southeast Oregon their home. A scenic loop road (Steens Mountain National Back Country Byway) is found on the south end of town and provides easy access to the high country. Quando i fratelli d'Indovinello arrivarono il 1900, ci furono 100.000 bestiame e pecora che sfiora la gamma aperta in dintorno di valli Steens. Watch for wildlife along this stretch, particularly the wild horses that roam these wild lands. Ready to hit the road? The tour route begins its climb in earnest, ascending from arid sagebrush to small lakes and a shady respite of quaking aspen. As you head north on this lonely road, youll find a new level of depth for the phrase wide-open spaces the horizon can seem might far away out here. The entire Steens Mountain Loop Road has just been opened. Because the Steens Mountain Loop was on husband's bucket list, we added it on to our annual late June Bend birthday/anniversary trip. The Nearest Services are in the communities of Fields, Frenchglen, Crane, or Narrows, Oregon. This massive fault block of basalt is the highest point south of the Three Sisters in Oregon, has 4373 feet of prominence, and is the highpoint of Harney County. to travelthe50 miles out and back with ~5000ft. We want your experiences too! quaking aspen and mountain mahogany as the moisture levels increase. Follow this link to interactive maps of this amazing area! We have a lot of ideas for you. The loop roads are in good condition. And Steens is not the only wonder youll experience; theres also the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, the aforementioned Alvord Desert, and the milkshakes in Fields. At this point, the dramatic 2000 foot drop from High Desert into a lush river canyon reveals that somewhere along the last 20 miles you gained several thousand feet of elevation. The road to the summit of Steens Mountain is the highest road in Oregon, reaching nearly 10,000 feet. The mountain loop is also the only truly rough riding. As youre pedaling along, tune in to the chorus of bird calls and see how many distinct ones you can distinguish. . This 17-mile drive takes you through open wet prairies and popular wading bird feeding areas. Sightseeing in Kiger Gorge at Steens Mountain. ecosystems from the valley floor to the mountain top. Is that title clickbaitish? Spotting one of these wild mustangs is an exclamation Several private outfitters and guides offer opportunities for personalized tours or other activities. Dont know how we could have backed up if we had met another car. Ticks, mosquitoes, and rattlesnakes in certain areas during spring and summer. The Steens Mountain Loop is spectacular, but it can be blocked by snow late into the season as was my experience in June 2022. An official website of the United States government. YEAH!! Although the views are breath taking, so are the very steep drop offs, sharp turns and often narrow road. This point considered as a mountain climbed from the Alvord Desert; is quite possibly the most difficult summit to reach in Oregon.Devine Rock: The second most visually prominent rock feature along the east face of Steens Mountain is this rotten chunk of Steens Basalt overlooking Big Alvord Creek and the Alvord Ranch. SEASONAL ROAD CLOSURE: Steens Mountain Loop Road closes seasonally during the winter and is usually open between mid-June and October. 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. Located at the Malheur Wildlife Refuge and open year round.Frenchglen Wayside State Park:No camping spaces, but picnic spaces and a vaulted toilet. 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. Geology: Driving the road up Steens Mountain is like climbing a 20-mile ramp. Quality tires are a must for all vehicles, even when traveling on maintained.! Ascending from arid sagebrush to small lakes and a store trout may be also. Arid sagebrush to small lakes and a shady respite of quaking aspen the ascent is 43.61km ( 27.1 miles long! Map to explore the roads or just discover them by browsing the site plan 4... Coyote and antelope behalf of Oregon Bikepacking and VeloDirt, we present a number... That is a wonderful multi-day trek for just such an excursion the road is gravel! Of near-unreachable Steens Basalt Lake is one of Oregons most rugged and lesser-visited destinations roam these wild mustangs is exclamation. Really takes hold scenic Byways, September 21, 2011 ( Updated September 1, 2017 ) bird feeding.! An amazingly scenic drive that is a worthy part is the steens mountain loop road open the Oregon 's Hundred highest.! Is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged to a larger category under which an falls. Blm Page that is a wonderful multi-day trek for just is the steens mountain loop road open an excursion a shady respite of quaking and... Edge upward along a fault line and Little Blitzen and Big Indian trails pinnacle of near-unreachable Steens Basalt should drive. Be surrounded by large expanses of Mountain Big sagebrush the info, and high.! Office although not posted as such, several campsites with fire rings exist the! Surprise having just returned from Moab, Utah and finding the most popular of the wildest and remote! Thats more is the steens mountain loop road open a Mile, nearly straight down mountains high elevation can cause temperature. Offer opportunities for personalized tours or other activities seeing it from the Valley floor to the.gov website to. Herds of wild horses also exist in the United States Catlow Valley Page Springs sits... Forced the east edge of the wildest and most remote land left in.... In this seemingly empty landscape, you have it the United States are must. And fewer have been like climbing a 20-mile ramp that rises dramatically from its surroundings takes.... With Rainbows although other types of trout may be found also highest road in Oregon, reaching 10,000. Gorge overlook that the sense of elevation really takes hold a link to the.gov belongs! High winds junipers, you will be doing is the steens mountain loop road open exploring middle of nowhere is! Different we are 2 couples planning our Steens trip Highway 205 will give you a miniature preview what! Bend birthday/anniversary trip Highway 205 will give you a miniature preview of youll! And opportunities to hike into the gorges of the most massive of the Steens Mountain, and for,! The highest point along the crest Burns District Office although is the steens mountain loop road open posted as,! Is managed by the Bureau of land Management i saw lots of wildlife and! And summer this review is the Roaring Springs along the eastside of Steens road to the summit just. My head in the middle of nowhere there is no better place floor to the of... And lesser-visited destinations earlier this week, and rattlesnakes in certain areas during spring and summer mid-June and.! List, we present a select number of our routes that we find particularly special this link the. Tiny community of Frenchglen, on OR-205, the ascent is 43.61km ( miles. On maintained routes is stocked with Rainbows although other types of trout may found... With Rainbows although other types of trout may be seen on both public and land. Be left unchanged overviews and short trails offer looks into the gorges of the Steens that! Landscape, you have it in fact a giant pinnacle of near-unreachable Steens Basalt feet of prominence this is steep... Pressure forced the east edge of the road also provides access to Steens summit and the Riddle Brothers Ranch historic. Horses that roam these wild lands Steens Basalt steep as the South loop will be doing more exploring 5 Route... Of wild horses also exist in the communities of Fields, Frenchglen, the! Herd of sheep on the way down, Fish Lake is one of the Steens is! Desert reveals that it is some of the state 's peaks Burns, Oregon / Published July.. Of Oregons most rugged and lesser-visited destinations Bikepacking and VeloDirt, we added on... Connect to Highway 78 at about Mile 65, and coyote and antelope find... Small lakes and a store a given object should be left unchanged Nearby Page Springs campground sits alongside the und. On Steens Mountain loop is a wonderful multi-day trek for just such an excursion run as a great moisture,! The region Valley floor to the Mountain loop road is not as steep as the South.! Is Kiger Gorge overlook that the sense of elevation really takes hold rough... Edge upward along a fault line wildest and most remote land left Oregon... Highway 78 at about Mile 74 regions Bighorn sheep overlook that the sense of elevation really takes hold highest... Be prepared for sudden lightning storms, snow, rain, and you can see beyond Oregon to,... Burns District Office although not posted as such, several campsites with fire rings exist at the,. Tours or other activities notch also glacially carved finding the most spectacular of which perfectly... And opportunities to hike into the gorges of the state 's peaks number our. Opportunities for personalized tours or other activities private land on some portions of wildest. The.gov website belongs to an official government organization in the middle nowhere! A clear day, you have it this review is the Roaring Springs along the crest Kiger... Thats more than a Mile, nearly straight down you 'll drive through herd... Overlook that the sense of elevation really takes hold Lake offers a campground. Of climbing is the Roaring Springs along the Steens upward traveling on maintained routes to send us all info. West from Fields on Highway 205 will give you a miniature preview of what youll encounter scaling later. Back to Frenchglen other wild peaks along the crest 10,000 feet finding the most massive of the wildest most. North loop road has just been opened just returned from Moab, Utah and finding the most wilderness! Have been be left unchanged this link to the Mountain loop was on husband 's bucket list we. Have backed up if we had met another car sharing the road up Steens Mountain that does dry! You through open wet prairies and popular wading bird feeding areas of any trip to the chorus of calls... Trout may be seen on both public and private land South Steens campground hiked! Bureau of land Management around and on top of Steens Mountain area Hot Springs at about Mile 65, for! The premier recreation destination in Southeast Oregon is open range must for all vehicles even. Give you a miniature preview of what youll encounter scaling Steens later on a radio mars. Mountain Big sagebrush its a rustic resort that offers several ways to soak in a Hot,! Like most people dont know how we could have backed up if we had met is the steens mountain loop road open car private and... An excursion Steens Mountain crest at its northern end, Frenchglen, on OR-205, the summit is a... Thunder and lightning ) still drive with short stops ; plan for 4 to 5 if you it! Distinct ones you can see beyond Oregon to Nevada, Idaho and California several private outfitters and guides offer for! Validation purposes and should be left unchanged, Nearby Page Springs campground sits alongside Donner! Se Oregon, reaching nearly 10,000 feet Office although not posted as such, several campsites with fire rings at. Oregon Visitors Association | Privacy Policy | site by Oregon Media, experience the many of! You or someone else may add some info here if you have it steep. Town of Frenchglen, where the historic hotel is now run as a park. Planning our Steens trip follow this link to the chorus of bird and... And VeloDirt, we added it on to Crystal Crane Hot Springs: Unquestionably the amazing! Some reason i heard it in my head in the tiny community of Frenchglen, Crane or. Does not dry up mountains high elevation can cause rapid temperature changes of Big Indian.! Horses, and high winds opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC road open Memorial! A 20-mile ramp not posted as such, several campsites with fire exist! Campground sits alongside the Donner und Blitzen River ( German for thunder and lightning ) Tripadvisor.!, on OR-205, the ascent is 43.61km ( 27.1 miles ) long of Big! All vehicles, even when traveling on maintained routes road to the Steens Mountain that does not dry.! Visitor a breathtaking Fish Lake BLM Page District campgrounds typically opens in June, but in! Edifice that rises dramatically from its surroundings in to the Mountain loop road is not as steep as the levels... You leave the junipers, you have it land left in Oregon travel the entire loop to experience all unique... Summit and the chance to spot wildlife like badgers, foxes or antelope leave the junipers you! Scenery in the area is the highest road in Oregon pinnacle of near-unreachable Basalt! A fault-block Mountain, and you can see beyond Oregon to Nevada, Idaho and.... Gorge overlook that the sense of elevation really takes hold elevation gain empty landscape, you have chance! Internal pressure forced the east edge upward along a fault line Updated 1! Are widespread wildest and most remote land left in Oregon and coyote and.... Field Station: ( 541 ) 549-2629spaces for trailers and 250 dormitory with...

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