You need to stop by their office to buy a permit. Day Use Permits for Hikes – There are also multiple hikes in the Steens wilderness area that start on private property owned by Alvord Ranch.Be aware that you may run into ranchers and their cattle. When driving down Fields-Denio Road, there are a lot of ranches.Leave no trace. Pack out your trash and don’t turn the desert into a toilet.There is a lot of private land surrounding the desert, especially the west side. Check the weather! Rain can make the roads so sticky that even four-wheel drive vehicles will get stuck.Strangely enough the dirt road parallel to the desert had cell service with verizon, and it’s probably the most signal we got on our Eastern Oregon road trip. There isn’t much cell reception out here. Be prepared with printed or screen grabbed directions. Bring some full gasoline canisters especially if you plan on being in the area for a while.There is also a gas station in Frenchglen that is only open during the summer. Fill up on gas before heading to the desert. There are year-round gas stations in Burns and Fields, Oregon.There are a few hotel options nearby but require some driving. They will keep you protected from the wind, and you’ll be within walking distance from the desert and hot spring pools. We got to peek inside but hope to do this next time we visit. You can also check out the MASH (Mobile Alvord Sleeping Huts) units at Alvord Hot Springs for a unique experience. If you’re looking for something more established, there are camp and RV sites available at Alvord Hot Springs. Also, as tempting as it is to start a campfire, fires are not allowed! Fire season is a real thing there so do your part by not contributing to the risk. Regardless of where you camp, always use the LEAVE NO TRACE mentality. The vast open space means there is little protection from the wind and any moisture can turn it into sticky mud you can’t get out of. Others we talked to recommend camping on the edge of it instead of the center. They aren’t fenced so keep clear so that you aren’t trespassing.Īfter talking to locals, some say camping in the desert is something everyone should do. It is dispersed camping but keep in mind that the west side of the desert is lined with private property as well. People love the camping experience on the playa. Either way, drive carefully and cautiously giving yourself plenty of extra time. If the road has been recently graded, these rocks float to the top. It is well maintained but can still have sharp and/or large rocks. The Fields-Denio Road is a mostly unpaved, gravel road. Drive another mile on this dirt road until you find a parking area. At this point, you will find a road off to the right (west) towards Steens Mountain. From the south, its 23 miles north on Fields-Denio Road.įrom Highway 78, travel south on Fields-Denio Road for 35 miles. From the north, drive roughly 41 miles south of Fields-Denio Road from Highway 78 and it will be located on your left. You can find Alvord Hot Springs via the Fields-Denio Road from the north or south. They have a private road with access to the desert that guest can use. We initially used directions for a hike but decided to go to Alvord Hot Springs instead. You can see it from Fields-Denio Road, but as you drive closer, it just feels like you’re driving parallel to it. We had trouble finding the best way to the desert. If you’re planning on camping, fall is the most ideal with its cool temperatures and little rainfall. It was a great time to shoot since we also had the water to see, but they did not recommend camping on the playa since the water can move overnight. We visited in late spring when there was still snowmelt on the playa. Fall temperatures drop back down to highs between 60 and 80 ☏ and lows between 40 and 50 ☏.Nighttime temperatures drop to around 60 to 70 ☏. Summer brings some of the hottest temperatures in the state with highs between 85 and 95 ☏.Days are still cool with highs between 50 and 60 ☏, but it only drops down to between 30 and 45 ☏ at night. The rain collects in the playa and makes travel across it difficult. Spring is when most of the rain falls.Winter has cool temperatures between 40 and 50 ☏ during the day and between 20 and 30 ☏ at night. Each season offers a very different experience at the Alvord Desert.
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