Pike Creek Canyon - Hiking & Rockhounding at Steens Mountain

Pike Creek Canyon is a dramatic rugged location tucked away on the eastern side of Steens Mountain. This area offers the perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of your daily routine providing great opportunities to enjoy the breathtaking landscape and amazing geology. Spend your time hiking, sightseeing, rock collecting, and camping.

Pike Creek runs year-round, merges into the Alvord Desert, dries up and, finally, disappears. Camping is allowed at Pike Creek. There are multiple sites with big boulders and cottonwoods along the creek that provide sheltered camping. Do not cut any trees for firewood. They are rare in the high desert and surrounding mountains.

Other primitive camping is also available at Mann Lake, Alvord Playa, and Alvord Hot Springs.

The parking area and some portions of the land at the creek are private property. Be sure to pack out all trash, do not abuse the privilege of accessing the area.

Pike Creek Hiking

Moderate to Difficult | 5.6 miles (9 km) out & back | 1,100 ft (335 m) elevation gain

The only developed trail on the eastern slope of Steens Mountain, Pike Creek is 5.6 miles out-and-back route running up the canyon along the creek.

The hike begins at a colorful huge boulder with a juniper sprouting from it and at the mouth of the canyon. The trail crosses the creek twice – a few yards and then 0.9 miles from the trailhead.

The first 1.4 miles is an established old mining track. On your way, you’ll see an abandoned uranium mine shaft and other remnants of the past. After the second creek crossing, the trail becomes narrow, rocky, and steep and runs another 1 mile to Pike Creek Basin. It is not safe to cross the creek during high water and spring runoff. So, the best time to visit is from May to October.

The trailhead is located 0.5 miles from Fields-Denio Road. There are free trail access and free parking near the road. Park your car and hike 0.5 miles to the point where the trail begins. If you have a high-clearance vehicle you can drive a portion of the road but do not drive all way to the trailhead.

The public BLM road has been washed out and is getting bumpy and rugged with huge boulders poking out the further you drive. There are lots of huge boulders at the endpoint and a chance for U-turn without scratching your car is minimal.

Another option to drive directly to the trailhead and camping area is accessing the private road nearby. You should pay a fee and check-in for a Wilderness Day Pass at Alvord Hot Springs that located 2 miles south.

Pike Creek Rockhounding

The area is known for an opportunity to find thundereggs filled with jasper and/or agate. You can explore mountain slopes, search the creek bed, and other dry washes around this area.

Besides thundereggs, you can find agate, jasper, obsidian, uranium, petrified wood, and sea fossils.

Know Before You Go

There are long distances between gas stations, services, and food
No cell phone services in the area
Rattlesnakes are a possibility in the lower canyon, so caution is advised
Steens Mountain is a popular hunting area from September through November; be cautious and wear bright clothing.