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Steens Mountain and the Alvord Desert
Wildlife marshes, a round barn and a glacier-carved mountain in Oregon’s far southeast, ending on a dry lakebed.
- Distance
- 255 km (159 mi)
- Driving
- 2 h 50 min
- Suggested days
- 4
- Stops
- 7
- States
- OR
- Updated
- June 4, 2026
At a glance: 4-day road trip of about 255 km (159 mi) with 7 stops, from Burns to Alvord Desert. About 2 h 50 min of driving in total.
More road trips in Oregon
Route description
From Burns, OR-205 heads south across the Harney Basin to Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, where hundreds of thousands of birds stop in spring. The headquarters has a museum of mounted birds and paths along the ponds.
Take the gravel side road to the Pete French Round Barn, built in the 1880s by a cattle baron who once ruled this valley. Continue to Frenchglen, a hamlet with a historic hotel and a campground at the foot of Steens Mountain.
The Steens Mountain Loop Road climbs to nearly 9,700 feet, past aspen groves and overlooks such as Kiger Gorge, a deep glacial valley. It is gravel, usually open only from July to October, and the upper sections are rough; leave trailers in Frenchglen.
South of Frenchglen, OR-205 continues to Fields, a ranch stop with a store and fuel. From there the East Steens Road leads north to the Alvord Desert, a flat white playa under the mountain’s sheer east face. Services are minimal everywhere, so carry water and a spare tire.
Stop-by-stop itinerary
In driving order. Distances are estimates between consecutive stops.
- 1Start
Burns
OR - 247 km
Malheur National Wildlife Refuge
NatureBurns, ORVast marshes in the high desert, a stopover for hundreds of thousands of migrating birds. The headquarters has a small museum and a visitor center; spring is the peak.
- 334 km
Pete French Round Barn
HistoryDiamond, ORA round stone-and-juniper barn from the 1880s, built to break horses through the winter. It stands alone on a gravel road east of OR-205.
- 438 km
Frenchglen
OR - 536 km
Kiger Gorge Overlook
ViewsFrenchglen, ORA perfect U-shaped glacial valley cut into Steens Mountain, seen from the Steens Mountain Loop Road. The road is gravel and usually open only from July to October.
- 662 km
Fields
OR - 739 km
Alvord Desert
NatureFields, ORA dry lakebed about 12 miles long below the east face of Steens Mountain, flat and silent. Only drive on the playa when it is completely dry.
Suggested stages and overnight stops
4 days, split by driving time. Campsites from OpenStreetMap: check opening dates before you go.
- Day 1: Burns → Malheur National Wildlife Refuge · 29 mi · 0 h 31 minOvernight nearby, for example: The Narrows RV Park (6 mi).
- Day 2: Malheur National Wildlife Refuge → Frenchglen · 44 mi · 0 h 47 minOn the way: Pete French Round Barn.Overnight nearby, for example: Steens Mountain Resort (3 mi); Page Springs Campground (3 mi).
- Day 3: Frenchglen → Fields · 61 mi · 1 h 05 minOn the way: Kiger Gorge Overlook.
- Day 4: Fields → Alvord Desert · 24 mi · 0 h 26 minOvernight nearby, for example: South Steens Campground (14 mi); South Steens Horse Camp (14 mi).
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually May and September–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in April and June. Cold, short days in January–February. July and August are the busiest months: book campsites early.
Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons
FAQs
How long is Steens Mountain and the Alvord Desert?
4-day road trip of about 255 km (159 mi) with 7 stops, from Burns to Alvord Desert. About 2 h 50 min of driving in total.
How many days do you need for Steens Mountain and the Alvord Desert?
We suggest 4 days: about 2 h 50 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.
Where does Steens Mountain and the Alvord Desert start and end?
It starts in Burns and ends in Alvord Desert.
Which states does Steens Mountain and the Alvord Desert pass through?
Oregon.
Where can you camp along Steens Mountain and the Alvord Desert?
OpenStreetMap lists 11 campsites and motorhome stopovers within 19 mi of the stops on this route. For example: The Narrows RV Park, Steens Mountain Resort and Page Springs Campground.
When is the best time for Steens Mountain and the Alvord Desert?
The most pleasant months are usually May and September–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in April and June. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
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Photo by Karsten Winegeart on Unsplash