Birdwatching is one of the most common activities for visitors to the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge. More than 340 bird species occur there. The greatest variety of waterfowl and songbirds can be seen from late winter through the end of May—a useful guide if you want to plan your trip around birdwatching.
The refuge is open daily from sunrise to sunset, and admission is free. There is a paved, universally accessible trail at the headquarters. Check conditions on the trail before your visit.
Steens Mountain: Canyons and Viewpoints
Steens Mountain is the largest fault-block mountain in the northern Great Basin. The Steens Mountain Cooperative Management and Protection Area encompasses 428,156 acres of public land, with glacially carved canyons, wilderness, wild rivers, and diverse plant and animal life. This means that striking geological formations and varied habitats come together in one landscape area.
The 52-mile Steens Mountain Backcountry Byway provides access to four campgrounds and viewpoints at Kiger Gorge, East Rim, Big Indian Gorge, Wildhorse Gorge, and Little Blitzen Gorge. These names give you specific reference points for viewpoints along the route; the four campgrounds are another part of what the byway offers.
Rivers, Fishing Spots, and Winter Activities
The Blitzen River is home to a wild, native population of redband trout. The 3.8-mile Blitzen River Trail starts at Page Springs Campground and provides direct access to the river’s fishing waters. You can combine a hike on the trail with a fishing visit to the Blitzen River.
The two lakes mentioned here also appeal to different fishing interests: Mann Lake attracts anglers because of its abundant Lahontan cutthroat trout. Wild Horse Lake is high on Steens Mountain in a glacial cirque and offers brook trout amid striking alpine scenery. If you’re more interested in winter activities, options on Steens Mountain include cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and limited snowmobiling.
The Chickahominy Recreation Site has 28 campsites and a boat ramp.
Basin Landscapes and Volcanic Features
The Harney Basin is a closed basin. Snowmelt and river systems feed seasonal lakes, marshes, meadows, and sagebrush plains there. The playa of the Alvord Desert offers a different landscape: it is one of Oregon’s largest playas, measuring approximately six miles wide and eleven miles long. The Alvord Desert is accessible year-round. From June through November, conditions are generally drier, and the playa is usually dry enough for vehicle traffic; check current conditions before your visit. The Alvord Desert and the East Alvord Wilderness Study Areas are located approximately 70 miles southeast of Burns in Harney and Malheur Counties.
Named landforms also reveal the area’s geology. The Diamond Craters Outstanding Natural Area encompasses 17,000 acres and contains craters and vents, cinder cones, spatter cones, lava tubes, driblet spires, a graben, and a water-filled maar. The variety ranges from cones and underground lava tubes to a water-filled maar.
September Tradition, Summer Markets, and History
The Harney County Fair & Rodeo is a longstanding September tradition. Annual dates and programming vary, so it’s worth checking the specific event dates when planning your trip. In summer, markets in Burns and Hines offer fresh produce, honey, and baked goods; dates and locations may change.
Another trace of local history is the Frenchglen Hotel: it was built around 1917 to accommodate visitors to the community. Its original purpose adds a local history of travel and hospitality to the nature and landscape themes.
Discover more destinations: Burns, Lincoln, Columbia County, Josephine County, Union County, Polk County, Linn and Jackson.
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