Alvord Desert – Things to Do & See | Eastern Oregon

Alvord Desert is a remote playa in Harney County located right at the foot of Steens Mountain. The largest in Oregon (9 miles long and 7 miles wide) dry lakebed or playa used to be an ancient lake's floor. During the glacial Pleistocene Era, the lake was nearly 300 feet deep and extended towards Nevada. We can still see old wave-cut shorelines along the basin's edges.

The vast playa has a smooth flat surface that is seasonally tough enough for driving and even landing light aircrafts. The desert is typically dry from May to October but during wet seasons it is muddy and even can become a shallow lake.

The entire area is volcanic in nature and bounded by a tectonic fault which formed the Steens Mountains on the west. Due to volcanic activities unique geothermal zones - Borax Lake Hot Springs and Mickey Hot Springs were created. Both of them are not suitable for bathing. However, there are two hot springs in Alvord Desert – Alvord Hot Springs and Willow Creek Hot Springs to enjoy soaking in mineral hot waters.

Alvord Playa

Driving on the playa

Driving along the huge cracked playa surrounded by breathtaking snow-dusted mountains is exciting. The area attracts adventure seekers, off-highway riding fans, land sailors, and drivers of jet-powered vehicles. Avoid to be trapped in the mud in wet areas and the spring drainage.

Alvord Desert was used to set a series of land speed records. Kitty O'Neil set the women's absolute land speed record of 512 mph in 1976. Her record remained intact until August 27, 2019, when Jessi Combs managed to hit a speed of 522 mph setting a new world record. Unfortunately, Jessi Combs died while attempting to go beyond Kitty O'Neil's speed. Despite Combs's unfortunate death, Guinness World Records recognized her achievement a year after it was set.

Alvord Playa Access

There are two ways to enter the desert.

To get to the desert points of access, you should drive south on a gravel dusty road - Fields-Denio Road for about 41 miles from Highway 76, 65 miles east of Burns, or 22 miles north of from Fields. The lakebed basin can be accessed from Alvord Hot Springs or Frog Springs, located 2.5 miles from each other.

You should pay for access through the private road of Alvord Ranch but if you camp at the hot springs, it is free.

Managed by BLM, Frog Springs Site allows free access to the desert.

Frog Springs

Frog Springs is a recreational area with free access to Alvord Desert and free camping. This site is managed by BLM and located near Fields-Denio Road.

Here you can ramble the vast cracked dry lake-bed by bikes, foot, land yachts, or cars. High clearance 4WD vehicle is recommended when the weather is wet.

Please follow the regulations in place for this area, and use Leave No Trace techniques.

Elevation: 4,050 feet (1,234 m)

GPS: N 42°30.460' W 118°31.819' | 42.507667, -118.530317

Mann Lake Recreation Site

Mann Lake, located at the base of Steens Mountain, holds water year-round. The shallow lake has been attracting anglers for decades for its Lahontan cutthroat trout that was stocked by ODFW and adapted to alkaline water of the lake.

As a result of decreasing precipitation and droughts, currently, water levels got low reducing chances of trout survival.

Besides fishing and camping, you can enjoy hiking and wildlife viewing. Free camping is available here but do not camp within 200 feet of the lake shoreline. There are vault toilets.

Elevation: 4,220 feet (1,280 m)

BLM Map

GPS: N 42°46.646' W 118°26.325' | 42.777433, -118.438750

Know Before You Go

• Strong winds are common, and weather conditions are often unpredictable
• There are long distances between gas stations, services, and food
• Most roads are rough, so high clearance 4WD vehicles are suggested
• No cell phone services in the area.

Camping in the desert is free but be aware of possible strong wind, cold nights, and frosty morning. The best place to put your tent is along the playa edges letting you have some protection from strong wind, some privacy, and staying out of racing vehicle routes.

Lodging in Hines-Burns Area

Affordable vacation rentals for short and long term stay in Hines-Burns Area

Mickey Hot Springs

A miniature Yellowstone featuring hot pools, boiling mud pots, hissing vents, and a natural mini-geyser...

Borax Lake Hot Springs

A geological phenomenon of the Alvord Basin featuring a warm lake and extremely hot thermal pools...