About Alvord Desert Camping

Alvord Desert camping is one of Oregon’s most unusual primitive camping experiences. Instead of a formal campground, campers spread out across public-land access areas near the wide Alvord Desert playa below Steens Mountain.

The setting is open, stark, and remote: clay flats, distant mountain walls, hot springs country, big skies, and almost no shade. It is best for self-contained campers who bring their own water, shelter, toilet system, and navigation.

What to Expect

The landscape

The Alvord Desert is a broad salt and clay playa east of Steens Mountain. When dry, it feels like an open desert floor with huge sky views. When wet, the same surface can become slick, sticky, and extremely difficult to escape.

Campsite setup

There are no designated campsites on the playa itself. Campers usually choose durable, already-used areas near legal access points or dry open flats. Expect no picnic tables, no fire rings, no drinking water, and almost no shade.

Things to do nearby

• Photograph sunrise, sunset, stars, and the Steens Mountain escarpment.
• Visit Mickey Hot Springs as a sightseeing stop, keeping children and pets away from dangerously hot water.
• Drive parts of the Steens Mountain region when seasonal roads are open.
• Use the playa for quiet camping, land sailing, kiteboarding, or wide-open desert views when conditions are dry.

Rules & Regulations

• Use existing access routes and avoid creating new tracks across fragile desert surfaces.
• Do not drive on wet or damp playa surfaces.
• Pack out all trash, food waste, toilet paper, and human or pet waste.
• Do not rely on water, toilets, trash service, or cell coverage.
• Large events, commercial filming, races, rallies, or organized gatherings may require special permits.
• Check current BLM fire restrictions before using any flame.

Seasonal Access

• Spring — April to May: Scenic, but the playa may still be wet or soft after winter moisture.
• Summer — June to August: Usually drier and more accessible, but heat, wind, and exposure are serious factors.
• Fall — September to November: Often the best balance of dry access and comfortable camping temperatures.
• Winter — December to March: Cold, remote, and more likely to have wet or unpredictable playa conditions.

How to Get There

From Burns: Drive south toward Frenchglen or Fields depending on your route, then use East Steens Road or signed local access roads to approach the playa.

Last fuel and supplies: Fields is the nearest small outpost, but Burns is the safer full-service resupply town.

Offline maps: Download BLM maps and offline navigation before entering the Alvord and Steens Mountain region.