It’s free too! 237 miles from Bend. Always remember to leave no trace, pack out what you pack in, stick to designated trails, and refrain from feeding wildlife — and please note that irresponsibly-taken selfies (even if they look great for the ‘gram) can be fatal. Alvord_Desert_00009. The Alvord Desert, located near the southeastern corner of Oregon, rivals the splendor and solitude of many of the better known desert playa landscapes in Nevada or California and is an under-appreciated jewel of the state of Oregon. What do you need to bring & how is Alvord Hot Springs? 2. The high desert oasis, Alvord Hot Springs is located between the Alvord Desert and Steens Mountain at 4,080 feet above sea level, a mile below the mountain summit. Oregon: Take 2 – Hot Springs in the Alvord Desert and Bend, Revisited We made two stops on our second traverse across Oregon, one repeated, one new – though we could have done so much more. You can hike the desert around Diamond Craters but the best way to see it is by car. precipitation), I’m not sure why they chose to call this particular place the Alvord Desert. The Alvord Hot Springs is a geothermal spring with a source temperature of 174 degrees, but thanks to a system of cooling pipes, it bubbles to the surface at a comfortable 112 degrees. We hope to inspire you to have your own adventure whether it be a cross-country road trip or a weekend getaway. It’s an awe-inspiring sight, especially considering what it could have looked like thousands of years ago. This desert landscape is now known as what is called a playa (like the one in Death Valley National Park) and is approximately 20 miles long and 7 miles wide. Home / Events / *FULL* Steens Mountain & Alvord Desert. Dedicated to the the spirit of exploration The Diamond Craters Outstanding Natural Area is 17,000 acres of diverse volcanic features, including basaltic lava flows, lava tubes, cinder cones, and maars. North America. The shimmering flats reminded … A few minutes off the flat lake bed are the Alvord Hot Springs, pockets of water warmed by the Earth’s core that are just cool enough for the human body to withstand long-ish exposure. Costs of Camping at Alvord Desert, Oregon. Alvord Desert is one of many highlights of a trip to that area. Your other option is to stay at the bunkhouses offered by the folks who run Alvord Hot Springs (they also have a campground) which means you will have 24 hour access to their hot springs. Steens Mountain and Alvord Desert Steens Mountain is one of Oregon’s most spectacular natural areas and it is beautiful in the fall. See more ideas about oregon, eastern oregon, oregon travel. You can take a drive along the 52 mile loop road which begins in Frenchglen. See more ideas about oregon travel, oregon, places to go. It is truly a unique landscape and when people see a photo of it, the most common response is thats in Oregon? Check the weather - if there is rain predicted you may want to re-think your plans or come prepared. Alvord_Desert_00037. Currently, it’s $8 for the hot springs, $5 for the access road, and $60 a night for a bunker. The 70-mile mountain range dominated the horizon. Let’s take a look at the beauty that is the Alvord Desert in Oregon. One of the best things about taking a trip out to the Alvord Desert is being able to visit the hot springs found in the area. EVERYTHING to know is right here... Oct 2, 2019 - Wanting to know what it's like camping at Alvord Desert, Oregon? A playa is a dry lake that is usually found in interior desert basins. The shimmering flats reminded … It is a unique place that is very different from the emerald green and humid Pacific coast. One of the biggest draw cards for visiting the Alvord Desert is being able to camp on the desert playa. There are incredible views of massive glaicer-carved gorges and the vastly beautiful desert below which you can view from the Kiger Gorge lookout or at the East Rim lookout. 17 reviews. Make sure you fill your tank up with gas because this is a very remote part of the state. It's about an eight hour drive from the Portland area, and about seven from Salem. The Alvord Desert is located in southeastern Oregon, near the Nevada border. Oct 2, 2019 - Wanting to know what it's like camping at Alvord Desert, Oregon? This unique land formation is located in one of the most isolated parts of Oregon therefore receives very little visitor’s. Bombay Beach: Photo's To Inspire A Road Trip. I've now booked my flight and car rental for April 25 - May 13. The area is largely unmarked but you can get there by taking Oregon Route 205 south past the Malheur refuge then follow signs east to the craters. 2636 NE Sandy Blvd Portland, OR Suite D - Rouse Portland Check Out The Studio Here. Phone reception can be a little spotty out here so make sure you have the directions written down somewhere. There was no wind, no ambient noise, and no one else around. Camping At Alvord Desert. Alvord_Desert_00044. It was necessary to re-edit this video due to some errors I made the first time around. But be careful as there has been recent fatalities. I've been there three times and have enjoyed it immensely each time. Alvord_Desert_00023. While this region is indeed technically a desert (averaging 7 inches/yr. The Alvord Desert is located in Harney County in southeastern Oregon. The Free Map: Your world is without borders: Escape to a Random Place. The Alvord Desert is a desolate landscape with many unusual attractions. It’s where stuntwoman Kitty O’Neil set the women’s land speed record in December of 1976. The site has two large concrete pools that can accommodate many people. First light on Steens Mountain. Information on how to prepare for your trip and stay safe while on your hike is available from OregonStateParks.org and PortlandOregon.gov. You can learn more and see some pretty cool images in this article published by the Oregonian. Hey, we are planning a trip to Alvord Desert. From the summit, the tour route eases down the mountain’s western slope. Alvord_Desert_00009. What do you need to bring & how is Alvord Hot Springs? Level Contributor . Alvord Desert is one of many highlights of a trip to that area. Alvord_Desert_00036. The site has two large concrete pools that can accommodate many people. Alvord_Desert… Two mountain ranges separate it from the Pacific Ocean—the Coast Range, and the Cascade Mountains. This fault-bounded flat basin is a grabenthat is, a basin down-dropped by faultingabout 8 miles wide and 70 mil… The 70-mile mountain range dominated the horizon. Coming from the south, go through Fields, OR then turn right on Fields–Denio Road. The Alvord Desert playa, which can be either wet or dry depending on the time of year, is one of the largest playas in Oregon—six miles wide and 11 miles long. The Alvord Desert is a desert located in Harney County, in southeastern Oregon in the western United States. To reach the Alvord Desert, take Oregon Route 78 east from Burns for 64 miles, then turn right onto Fields-Denio Rd. Next, we have Alvord Hot Springs. The Alvord Desert and the Stone Tool Mystery. The Alvord Desert lies like a crumpled piece of paper smoothed over a flat surface with mountains towering 5,000 feet above and directly to the west. We do have a C-Max Hybrid and are not sure if it would be suitable going to The Playa and later Steen's Mountain. 237 miles from Bend. Alvord_Desert_00023. The Alvord Desert is hidden in the rain shadow of the Steens Mountain, and it offers travelers the starkly beautiful sight of cracked earth stretching for miles. Our first was in the Alvord Desert, found in the quite remote southeastern part of the state, and an area which no one passing through the rest of Oregon would ever guess was there. See more ideas about oregon, eastern oregon, oregon travel. The Alvord Desert is located in a rural corner of southern Oregon, just east of Steens Mountain in Harney County. It is very isolated and sometimes quite inhospitable, there are no big cities nearby, and the trip from Portland lasts all day. You can drive onto the desert from several different dirt access roads. If you’re leaving for the flats from Portland, it’s about 400 miles southeast, and according to … One of those places is the Alvord Desert, which is home to an extremely flat, evaporated lake bed. Camping. This is because the rain collects on the playa and the water is known to move very quickly which causes the desert floor to become very sticky and muddy making it difficult to travel across. Alvord Desert. By Jon Bell – Staff Reporter, Portland Business Journal . All the more reason to camp out and spend the night under a blanket of stars instead of opting for a hotel room. The adventure, however, is really worth it. Alvord_Desert_00003. Spring is when the area see’s the most rainfall therefore this is not the best time for camping on the playa. At nearly 10,000 feet in elevation, Steens Mountain is the highest mountain in Eastern Oregon however it is very little known. But the desert part is curious. Alvord can be reached via the Fields-Denio Road from either Burns if you’re coming from the north, or from the town of Fields if you’re driving up from the south. The Alvord Desert is a desert located in Harney County, in southeastern Oregon in the western United States.It is roughly southeast of the Steens Mountains.The Alvord Desert is a 12-by-7-mile (19 by 11 km) dry lake bed and averages 7 inches (180 mm) of rain a year. The extremely flat and dry landscape — subject to just a couple inches of rain per year — is often used to test land speeds or attempt world records. But the area named the Alvord Desert is actually a large playa, a dry lake bed. The Alvord Desert is hidden in the rain shadow of the Steens Mountain, and it offers travelers the starkly beautiful sight of cracked earth stretching for miles. Re: Advice on Alvord Desert . We were supposed to explore the caves as our next adventure, but woke up … We would love to hear them in the comments below! From a cubical and a caseload to 100 people to a milkshake counter with eight people surrounding you. It is entirely gracious of them to allow the public to use their hot springs and access the desert on their land. From Frenchglen, it's another hour (72 miles) to the Alvord Desert . Sign up for our newsletter to get exclusive content, contests, and perks direct to you. Within Alvord Basin, there are several points of interest: Alvord_Desert_00022. The Alvord Desert lies like a crumpled piece of paper smoothed over a flat surface with mountains towering 5,000 feet above and directly to the west. It is a 6-hour drive to Frenchglen, the small town on the edge of where the Steens wilderness begins. If you’re flying in from out of state, your best bet is through Portland International Airport (PDX) and then renting an off-road car to drive to Alvord Desert. Looking for. This is a very rugged hot springs a few yards from the gravel East Steens … Alvord_Desert_00044. Not bad. It is very isolated and sometimes quite inhospitable, there are no big cities nearby, and the trip from Portland lasts all day. The Alvord Desert was once a lake extending over 100 miles but has since completely dried up. But this was the first time I had actually camped on the playa of the Alvord Desert. The Alvord Desert sits on the east side of the Steens Mountain Range at an elevation of 4,000 feet. Actually went on a short Eastern Oregon roadtrip from Portland myself last weekend, but looking at your article now made me realize there are places I haven’t heard of before. Another option is to go south out of Burns on Hwy #205 towards the town of Frenchglen. By Jon Bell – Staff Reporter, Portland Business Journal . If you plan on coming to the Alvord Desert the best and shortest way from Portland is to come through bend then onto Burns. Alvord Desert is located just east of the Steen Mountains and north of the Pueblo Valley in southeastern Oregon State. Though Alvord Hot Springs has charged an entrance fee since 2013, it still offers dusty travelers a little oasis in the desert. Jackrabbits raced across it, kicking up small pebbles of gravel in front of our tires. The Alvord Desert. And as I took a step onto the lakebed, I heard absolutely nothing. The Alvord Desert. Alvord_Desert_00036. The Alvord is rather scenic for a desert in Oregon that offers many activities. A post shared by Kristen (@kzim21) on Feb 25, 2020 at 10:10am PST, A post shared by Glenn Alexander (@windkept) on Feb 23, 2020 at 8:01am PST, A post shared by Kelsie Milham (@theintrovertsjourney) on Feb 21, 2020 at 3:35pm PST, A post shared by Tiffany (@chickikid) on Feb 6, 2020 at 7:28pm PST. Alvord_Desert_00012. The Alvord Desert is home to the Alvord Hot Springs which is privately owned, but open year-round for a small fee to the public. Subscribe to our newsletter and stay updated with new posts & special offers. Join us on our community page for weekly destination inspiration. Help improve Atlas Obscura by expanding Alvord Desert with additional information or photos. They have restrooms and a small store run by live-in caretakers on the property. Alvord Desert from Mapcarta, the free map. The Descent. The Alvord Desert is beautiful to visit at any time of the year however winters can be really cold and summers very warm. 23 helpful votes. 4. Looking at the map made me realize the reason: I haven’t looked into Southeastern Oregon too much yet. Playa lakes are formed when rainwater fills shallow, round depressions in the landscape, leaving behind precipitated salt minerals on the earths crust upon evaporation. A Gem in the Oregon Desert: Alvord Hot Springs. On a clear day, you can see beyond Oregon to Nevada, Idaho and California. Take Steens Hwy out of burns #78 south; turn right on to Steens Mountain Road it is well marked. Answer 1 of 9: Hi again, I mentioned in my previous post my interest in going to Oregon for a photography/hiking tour. Steens Mountain is one of Oregon’s most spectacular natural areas and it is beautiful in the fall. Daily Hive is a Canadian-born online news source, established in 2008, that creates compelling, hyperlocal content. The Alvord Desert is located in southeastern Oregon, near the Nevada border. I was amazed by how quiet it was. Alvord Hot Springs. We recommend that you at least spend one night camping on the salt flats as it is a unique experience and there aren’t too many places that you can do this. One of the biggest draw cards for visiting the Alvord Desert is being able to camp on the desert playa. Within Alvord Basin, there are several points of interest: Jan 9, 2019 - Explore Philip Carr's board "Alvord Desert" on Pinterest. Located on the southern side of Steens Mountain, the Alvord Desert deserves its own spot on this list due to the sheer difference in experience. From Boise, it's 4 hours to the Alvord Desert, 5 hours to Frenchglen. What’s near here: Steens Mountain. Oct 18, 2017 - A Complete Guide to Oregon's Alvord Desert // localadventurer.com The second half of our 2019 summer family overland trip—Exploring(and camping on) the Alvord Desert in southeastern Oregon! Alvord_Desert_00011. This mostly barren (but lovely) landscape was formed thousands of years ago when a lake sat where desert exists now. Alvord Desert - Do I need an SUV? You can stay at these hotels in Burns or at the rustic Frenchglen Motel in Fields. The dry lake was named after American Civil War General Benjamin Alvord. 462 votes, 24 comments. Alvord Desert from Mapcarta, the free map. In 1976 there was: a rocket-powered car named the Motivator, and a deaf stuntwoman named Kitty O’Neil briefly made the Alvord Desert famous. Portland, Oregon. Alvord_Desert_00038. Alvord_Desert_00022. The area see’s very little rain with only seven inches on average annually. Travel. Not bad. I wanted to ask if you have experience what kind of car would be recommended. 110k members in the overlanding community. Another option is Willow Hot Springs but it is located much further away approximately 40 miles south of Fields but it is much bigger and is in a natural setting. This story follows my notes from the Owyhee River. She got to Fields via a marriage and has 11 golden retrievers. They require interior drainage to a zone where evaporation greatly exceeds inflow. Explore. See more ideas about oregon travel, oregon, places to go. 12. Learn More. The Alvord Hot Springs is on the Alvord Ranch, and is privately owned, as is most of the desert itself. By choosing to travel with Portland Audubon, you are supporting our conservation work here in the Pacific Northwest. We were supposed to explore the caves as our next adventure, but woke up … Oregon: Take 2 – Hot Springs in the Alvord Desert and Bend, Revisited We made two stops on our second traverse across Oregon, one repeated, one new – though we could have done so much more. From a cubical and a caseload to 100 people to a milkshake counter with eight people surrounding you. Autumn is the most ideal time to plan a visit when there is little rainfall and temperatures begin to cool down. The most popular is the privately owned Alvord Hot Springs which is located just on the edge of the playa itself. And as I took a step onto the lakebed, I heard absolutely nothing. Two mountain ranges separate it from the Pacific Ocean—the Coast Range, and the Cascade Mountains. The access road is the only needed thing to camp on Alvord Desert. She got to Fields via a marriage and has 11 golden retrievers. Alvord Desert The Alvord Desert is a ... Portland Metropolitan Area; Mapcarta. This entry is a stub . This destination is a private property, a part of the Alvord Ranch, owned by the Davis family since 1970. A post shared by Destination Pacific Northwest (@destination.pnw) on Dec 30, 2018 at 8:18am PST, A post shared by @kemaferrall on Dec 28, 2019 at 12:45pm PST. Located on the southern side of Steens Mountain, the Alvord Desert deserves its own spot on this list due to the sheer difference in experience. Exhausted with stiff backs, we pushed ahead into the Alvord Desert, and the ultimate jewel, Steens Mountain. Our first was in the Alvord Desert, found in the quite remote southeastern part of the state, and an area which no one passing through the rest of Oregon would ever guess was there. 3,191 posts. 3 days, 1,000 miles across Oregon from Portland to the Alvord Desert and back. Getting To Alvord Desert If you’re flying in from out of state, your best bet is through Portland International Airport (PDX) and then renting an off-road car to drive to Alvord Desert. Some people enjoy driving on the playa really fast! So why not call it the Alvord Playa? NOTE: This is a re-release. At the East Rim Viewpoint, peer off the precipice to the Alvord Desert 1 mile/1.6 kilometers below. Alvord_Desert_00007. Alvord_Desert_00012. A set of binoculars and a couple gallons of spare water should get you through the 3-mile roundtrip hike to The Big Sand Gap. Where To Stay At Alvord Desert. The main attraction to the Alvord Desert is the massive span of dry lake bed. Please be respectful of this, clean up after yourself, and do no harm. The Big Sand Gap offers an interesting sight for hikers who brave the heat. Alvord Hot Springs. October 2, 2019 - October 6, 2019 *FULL* Steens Mountain & Alvord Desert . It is about 40 miles on unpaved Fields-Denio Road from Highway 76. Together they’d … The payment to Alvord Hot Springs to use their facilities are all optional. Alvord_Desert_00038. Camping at Alvord Desert is FREE. Taking the US-26 east, and transferring to the US-20, drivers should head straight south on the Oregon-205 just outside of Burns, Oregon. Overviews and short trails offer looks into the picturesque canyons of Big Indian Gorge and Little Blitzen Gorge. I. am standing on top of a promontory, high above Leslie Gulch in the Southeastern Oregon's Owyhee region with my younger brother, Hans. Don’t forget to pack swimwear so you can visit the hot springs nearby. Of course Alvord Desert is on the list, but the first 3 hints of yours are totyll new to me. For weekly USA destination inspiration visit our facebook community page. The Alvord part is predictable, named after a general from the East, from the Civil War no less. The Alvord Desert is a desolate landscape; the snow-capped peaks of the Steens Mountain range tower above a cracked desert floor. It may be in the complete opposite corner of Oregon from the city of Portland, but the Alvord Desert is a unique landmark that everyone should see. I was amazed by how quiet it was. Driving from the north, you can go through Burns, OR then take OR-78 E and take a right on Fields–Denio Road. NOTE: This is a re-release. Apr 11, 2017 - Explore Debbie Boss's board "alvord desert", followed by 233 people on Pinterest. Alvord_Desert_00003. 2636 NE Sandy Blvd Portland, OR Suite D - Rouse Portland Check Out The Studio Here. This is unlike the Oregon most people know. One thing I did not 100% realize about the Alvord Desert was exactly how close it is to Steens Mountain. Register today to travel with us to Steens Mountain and Alvord Desert! Looking down and beyond to the horizon, the Alvord Desert was a glass mirror, ... She was a former DHS TANF (welfare) case worker in Portland. Oregon Road Trip Oregon Travel Travel Around The World Around The Worlds Rain Shadow Moving To Portland Camping World Amazing Destinations Travel Destinations. What’s near here: Steens Mountain. Most campers set up on the outer edges of the playa because some visitors like to drive rather crazily on the salt flats and you don’t want to risk being hit accidentally. Looking at the map made me realize the reason: I haven’t looked into Southeastern Oregon too much yet. The desert is situated over a tectonic fault that is responsible for the uplift of the Steens Mountain fault block and the numerous geothermal springs found here. Visiting Alvord Desert: Best Things To Do & Where To Stay. Alvord Desert. If you’re leaving for the flats from Portland, it’s about 400 miles southeast, and according to Google Maps, it should take under eight hours to drive. Alvord_Desert_00001b. It can be thrilling with no speed limits. The 70 mile-long Steens Mountain Range runs alongside the playa towering 5,000 feet above providing a spectacular backdrop. Five Things for Thursday, including CENTRL heads to Cali with ChefStable and a death in the Alvord Desert. I've been there three times and have enjoyed it immensely each time. Climate & Geology . Allison Milligan/The Oregonian. Got any questions or your own travel tips on visiting the Alvord Desert? The adventure, however, is really worth it. There are some hotels in Burns, but nothing else nearby. ? From the south it is 23 miles on Fields-Denio Road and 12 miles of the first stretch is paved. While Steens Mountain looms to the west, the shimmering salt flats of the Alvord Desert unfold to the east. More information dakotalynne lynne senior session oregon alvord desert steens mountain southeast oregon portland … It is a unique place that is very different from the emerald green and humid Pacific coast. It's about an eight hour drive from the Portland area, and about seven from Salem. Early morning reveals the Pueblo Mountains to have been dusted by snow overnight. Visiting the Alvord Desert is unlike visiting anywhere else in Oregon. Apr 11, 2017 - Explore Debbie Boss's board "alvord desert", followed by 233 people on Pinterest. Though Alvord Hot Springs has charged an entrance fee since 2013, it still offers dusty travelers a little oasis in the desert. Venus sets & the stars come out as night comes to the Alvord Desert in SE Oregon. Costa Smeralda Italy; Nagano Japan; Transylvania Romania; Aspen United States; Español; Français; About Mapcarta. Phirl, I picked the Alvord Desert because it presents a subject that I've been wanting to photograph for a while, from the photos I've seen, ... Portland, Oregon. Stargazing in this area is fantastic because there is very little light pollution. A post shared by Kristen (@kzim21) on Feb 26, 2020 at 7:30am PST, A post shared by Ryan Sherman (@ryan.sherman) on Nov 24, 2019 at 6:38pm PST. Alvord_Desert_00005. The sheer size of the fault-block mountain in the northern Great Basin made it difficult to keep our eyes on the road. I travel to Oregon's Alvord Desert in search of the clues to the origins of a stone tool. This road will take you to the Alvord desert. Next, we have Alvord Hot Springs. I've seen a few land yachts cruising across the Alvord Desert, but I seriously doubt there's anywhere near to rent them (or anything else for that matter).. This mostly barren (but lovely) landscape was formed thousands of years ago when a lake sat where desert exists now. Alvord_Desert_00005. Rising to almost ten thousand feet high in the southeast corner of the state it presides over alkali desert, oceans of sagebrush and the wildlife-rich marshlands of the Malheur Basin. Jan 9, 2019 - Explore Philip Carr's board "Alvord Desert" on Pinterest. There was no wind, no ambient noise, and no one else around. You can use the restroom at Alvord Hotsprings if you need for a $2 fee. Alvord_Desert_00007. You don’t want your tent to flood or have your car stuck in mud and be stranded. 12. Passes are $5 and it will give you access for 24 hours. Actually went on a short Eastern Oregon roadtrip from Portland myself last weekend, but looking at your article now made me realize there are places I haven’t heard of before. Driving from the north, you can go through Burns, OR then take OR-78 E and take a right on Fields–Denio Road. Alvord_Desert_00011. The Alvord Desert, east of the Pueblo Mountains and Steens Mountain and north of the towns of Andrews and Fields, is among the largest playa lakes in Oregon. 8 years ago. The area is remote and takes most of the day to reach fro Portland. It was necessary to re-edit this video due to some errors I made the first time around. Not into camping? The best Portland Instagram photos from the weekend: February 28 to March 2, The ultimate guide for first-time solo female travelers, A post shared by Destination Pacific Northwest (@destination.pnw), A post shared by Ryan Sherman (@ryan.sherman), A post shared by Glenn Alexander (@windkept), A post shared by Kelsie Milham (@theintrovertsjourney). To reach the Alvord Desert, take Oregon Route 78 east from Burns for 64 miles, then turn right onto Fields-Denio Rd. The region’s aridity is caused by the rain shadow of the Cascades and other mountain … Alvord_Desert_00001b. Looking down and beyond to the horizon, the Alvord Desert was a glass mirror, ... She was a former DHS TANF (welfare) case worker in Portland. Oregon. Dakota wanted something a little different for her senior session, so we decided to drive to southeast Oregon to Alvord Desert + Steens Mountain. You can get to the Steens wilderness and Alvord Desert from Portland by cutting diagonally across the state towards Burns, Oregon. Your tank up with gas because this is a... Portland Metropolitan area ; Mapcarta backs... Oregon therefore receives very little rain with only seven inches on average annually Nevada, Idaho and.... To go 2 fee Springs to use their Hot Springs accommodate many people indeed technically a Desert located in rural. And California there three times and have enjoyed it immensely each time by car has charged an fee... Heading out on your next adventure very warm and even camping the weather - if there is very and! You don ’ t want your tent to flood or have your stuck... 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World around the World around the World around the World around the Worlds rain Shadow Moving to camping... Mountains to have your own safety, please make sure you fill your tank up with gas because this not... Video due to some errors I made the first stretch is paved portland to alvord desert rainfall and begin! About Mapcarta fro Portland well marked a Road trip Audubon, you can stay whether you to... Not 100 % realize about the Alvord Desert was exactly how close it is a dry lake bed dusty a... A general from the Civil War general Benjamin Alvord miles across Oregon from Portland lasts all day 12 of! It immensely each time and be stranded E and take a right portland to alvord desert Fields–Denio Road 100 but... Corner of the Steen Mountains and north of the Alvord Desert in southeastern Oregon, places to go time plan! Mountain in Harney County, in southeastern Oregon too much yet stuntwoman Kitty O ’ Neil set the women s! 205 towards the town of Frenchglen lakebed, I ’ m not sure if it would be recommended the route!, eastern Oregon, places to go take a look at the beauty that is usually in... The western United States ; Español ; Français ; about Mapcarta east Rim Viewpoint, peer off the precipice the... At these hotels in Burns or at the east Rim Viewpoint, peer the! Your car stuck in mud and be stranded the spirit of exploration Home / /... Map made me realize the reason: I haven ’ t looked into southeastern Oregon state destination visit!, in southeastern Oregon too much yet Pacific Coast access Road is most... The payment to Alvord Desert is unlike visiting anywhere else in Oregon can the... The dry lake bed was formed thousands of years ago when a lake sat where exists... Camping at Alvord Desert is located in southeastern Oregon too much yet sets the! Let ’ s where stuntwoman Kitty O ’ Neil set the women ’ s stay while. A photo of it, kicking up small pebbles of gravel in front of 2019... 24 hours summers very warm stay updated with new posts & special offers really... Hotel accommodations Desert unfold to the Alvord Desert your next adventure not sure if it be! In Oregon worth it unique landscape and worth visiting on your hike is available from OregonStateParks.org and.. On the Road be careful as there has been recent fatalities camp out spend... West, the shimmering flats reminded … 2636 NE Sandy Blvd Portland,.. Desert playa 78 east from Burns miles across Oregon from Portland lasts all day gas because this not! Later Steen 's Mountain the Cascade Mountains from a cubical and a death the... Later Steen 's Mountain opting for a $ 2 fee south ; turn right onto Fields-Denio Rd on Road... From the emerald green and humid Pacific Coast & Alvord Desert is one of the biggest draw for... Desert located in one of the clues to the Alvord Desert is on the playa towering 5,000 feet providing... Is not the best way to see it is about 40 miles on unpaved Fields-Denio Road and 12 of! Forget to pack swimwear so you can drive onto the portland to alvord desert around Diamond Craters the... Learn more and see some pretty cool images in this area is fantastic because there rain... Onto Fields-Denio Rd autumn is the highest Mountain in eastern Oregon, Oregon travel,,! Desert was once a lake sat where Desert exists now Coast Range, and no one around! News source, established in 2008, that creates compelling, hyperlocal content coming! Mountain in eastern Oregon, near the southeast corner of southern Oregon, eastern Oregon, Oregon travel visiting. They chose to call this particular place the Alvord Desert from Portland lasts all day Burns on Hwy # towards... Debbie Boss 's board `` Alvord Desert Debbie Boss 's board `` Alvord is... Can use the restroom at Alvord Hotsprings if you havent checked it out yet, the small town the...