Steens Mountain — Local services in Burns

The Steens Mountain in the southeastern part of Oregon stretches along Harney County, with its 9,733 foot summit towering above the Alvord Desert. The length of the Steens Mountain is impressive, and running 50 miles, it is often confused as a series of mountains. Yet, the majestic Steens is a single mountain and is the largest-fault block mountain in the northern Great Basin. For an expansive view, there is no finer place in Oregon to view Steens Mountain than from the Alvord Desert. From the east rim overlook, it drops over a vertical mile to the floor of the desert playa. With its famous notch in the east ridge of Kiger Gorge, the basalt craggy peaks tower above the Alvord Desert with impressive prominence and grandeur. However, the Steens Mountain is not just to be seen from afar, as for a brief period in mid-summer, when the snow melt has receded, the summit can amazingly be reached by car. Beginning in the tiny and historic town of Frenchglen, the Steens Mountain Loop Road climbs in a 52-mile loop to the 9,700 summit, making it the highest road and most spectacular drive in Oregon.

The Steens Mountain Loop Road usually opens around July 4th but can be later due to heavier snowfall winters and it closes when the first snow arrives in October. For this brief period each year, the loop tour offers outstanding views of the four notable gorges of Steens Mountain: Big Indian, Little Blitzen, Wildhorse and Kiger. Over the years, improvements have been made to the road, and while it is rough in spots, it is fine for passenger cars and the major viewpoints are well signed. While the road takes you nearly to the top, a half mile walk will take you up to the Steens Summit. On a clear day, you can see for hundreds of miles in any direction.

There are also great hiking opportunities too. Three short hikes lead to viewpoints of Kiger Gorge, the East Rim, and Steens Summit. There is a longer hike that starts at the mountain top parking area to Wildhorse Lake. The trail descends 1,100 feet in a 1.2 mile (2.4 round trip) zigzag down the precariously jagged rock face and levels out and follows a small creek into a basin with wildflowers and an incredible picturesque view. Continuing on, you reach Wildhorse Lake with a small sandy beach perched in the middle of a wide-open basin. This is a popular spot to backpack and camp in the backcountry outside of the designated campgrounds. There are no campfires allowed, so be sure to bring a stove. It is true alpine backcountry with no trees, sparse vegetation, and is exposed to the potentially brutal weather found at the Steens.

Steens Mountain is some of the wildest and most remote land remaining in Oregon. The landscape is unrivaled in its majestic beauty from a snow cap summit to amber grassland valley. For those seeking solitude, the Steens are a throwback to our pioneer ranching lifestyle of having small means but an abundance of views for as far as the eye can see. The weather can be a challenge and turn on a dime, but that is also part of adventure of visiting such an isolated and inhospitable landscape. The grandeur of Oregon’s treasure will continue to bring visitors –Steens Mountain is truly a top destination in Oregon for hiking and...

Many great overlooks and trails here. Steens mountain loop is a confusing mix of scary looking drop offs and placid gravel roads. We went backwards it seems from what most people did. We came from south Steens campground. The way up was steep and many sharp turns, with a lot of altitude gain in only a few miles, and being able to see so far into the distance to the desert floor below is incredible and added to the awe of what we were traveling into. While the backside, heading back into French glenn was a gradual decent and relatively uneventful. The pictures are fine, but can't convey the amazing views and the majesty of what you'll see if you make this journey yourself. It's confusing because one minute you'll be traveling up the side of a mountain with thousands of feet drop one side to a sub alpine plain with acres upon acres of open sagebrush and a winding gravel road through the center. I've seen a lot in Oregon and this is probably the best. The road is well maintained, it can be taken in almost any vehicle, I probably wouldn't go in a smart car but you probably could. There are many overlooks for amazing views and pictures as well as a few short trails for the same. If you're up for it there are a few bigger trails like Wildhorse Lake and Big Indian Gorge . If you get to the summit I would recommend heading up the path to the cell towers to see the valley below and looking out over the Alvord desert. Very beautiful and awe inspiring to...

One of the great scenic drives in Oregon with ancient canyons carved by glaciers and stunning views of the surrounding Alvord Desert.

The Steens Loop starts in the small town of Frenchglen and climbs up to the peak on a very steep dirt road that is washboard for a large portion of the route.

You will pass several campgrounds on the way to four amazing viewpoints.

The Kiger Gorge is a large U-shaped Canyon, The East Rim offers views of the Alvord Desert on a clear day, and The Steen Summit has great views of Wildhorse Lake at an elevation of over 9500 feet.

The Loop Route is currently closed between The Wildhorse Lake and Big Indian Overlook due to a landslide.

The south side of the Loop is on the downside of the mountains with some great views of the Blitzen River.

You find some steep hiking trails, including Wildhorse Lake that drops a thousand feet.

Located about sixty miles South of Burns on Highway 205 with limited facilities at some of the campgrounds.

A great place to experience the stunning Steens Mountain range on the highest road in Oregon with a number of hiking trails and...