Visitor’s Guide
to Steens Mountain Region

What you’ll find in Oregon’s first desert wilderness

Steens Mountain is a remarkable fault block mountain towering over an alkali playa to its south and deep gorges to its north. Surrounded by sagebrush, wildflowers, aspens and more, wildlife like sage-grouse, pronghorn and raptors make their home here.

There’s much to experience in this region. But, when you visit the largest fault-block mountain in North America, expect extremes and make sure you are adequately prepared. Snow falls earlier and lingers longer than you might expect in the high country and mid-summer heat is intense. Be sure to check road reports before heading out, carry a gallon of water for each day of your visit, and bring proper gear for the elements.

To get out there, the scenic, 52-mile Steens Mountain Backcountry Byway is a gravel road that provides easy access to the mountain’s four established campgrounds, as well as the Kiger Gorge and East Rim scenic viewpoints. You can expect any other roads—typically indicated by dashed lines on a map—to be passable by four-wheel drive vehicles only. Travelers should plan for long distances between services and bring maps, with poor cell phone reception being the norm.

Refer to our guide below for inspiration and advice on where to stay, what to eat, recommended hikes and activities, and resources for visiting this icon of Oregon’s high desert.