This is a six mile paved motor trail. One way. Once you get on it there is no turning around. No…read moreneed to...this drive is beautiful. Speed limit is 10 mph and you will need to heed the speed as it is a narrow road meandering up and down thru the deep forest. Historic farmsteads along the route that you can pull over and wander in. We went at days end so our time was limited as it was getting dark. I would love to return during the day, I regretted all of the photos I missed taking due to loss of daylight! Drive takes approximately an hour at the posted speed limit. No restrooms along the way, but lots of lovely places to stop and enjoy a little piece of the Smoky's.

I too drove this road at the end of the day and started getting a little worried about losing…read morelight. Believe me, you DON'T want to be on this road after dark, and there is no turning around. Some incredible sights can be seen along this road as it climbs and climbs and climbs up the mountainside. There is a large area where you can park and meander around at the peak. We saw a bear while walking around up there. The bear was down the side of the mountain and we were in no danger. Be fore-warned that if you have a large pickup truck like I do, it will barely fit on some of the bridges and through some of the turns...very hairy!

Pamela G.'s review is spot on. May/June = Mosquitos. Wildlife = birds. Haha. The visitor center is…read morebeautiful, the pond is picturesque and the birds are plentiful, though you hear a lot more than you see. Maybe I just don't have the eye for birding. Janet, in the info center as you first walk in, was very helpful with brochures and directions and recommendations. We walked around the center, checked out the museum (who knew how many different birds were black with white markings, but each very distinct?), took a bunch of pictures and yes, we were immediately swarmed by mosquitos when we got out of the car. Bring your repellent! We took the short gravel road drive down to Wrights pond, because this is the highest the water has been in 15 years and Janet said there was an abundance of wildlife right by your feet. Not wrong, we saw a deer, and hundreds of birds. Really unique area to explore, this little oasis in the middle of the desert and at the foot of the mountains.

I have never seen so many different species of bird anywhere. What a treasure this is for…read morewildlife, the world habitat and the country. I felt like I was in an Aviary, in fact, when I closed my eyes it felt like the Amazon must feel in the deep jungle with hundreds of different kinds of birds singing and squawking in every direction. And oh what birds they are. I am not a birder so I had no idea what many of the birds were, but I did recognize the Western Tanager, Goldfinch, Great Horned owl chick, and pelicans. The rest of them were called, "Wow! Look at that!", birds. If you go in late late May, early June, cover your body and use mosquito repellent where you're exposed. We were just passing through, but now that I know what a treasure Malheur is and that the best time of year is in March/April I'll be back for more than a few hours.

Hart Mountain is about as remote as you can get in Oregon. And that's a good thing, as it sports…read moreone of the few spots left that you can find pronghorn antelope running wild through the prairies. It's pretty damn amazing, if you ask me. Getting to Hart Mountain is a trek. We started out in Lakeview and headed northeast through Plush, then off across a wetlands and on to Hart Mountain Road. There's a point at which the pavement stops and the preserve begins. This marks your steep uphill traverse onto the plateau and into the grassland that is home for the roving herds of pronghorn. The main road cuts through the preserve and dead center is a small set of buildings housing research and park offices. You can continue on out the other side of the preserve, and it's a long, long trek to get out to any sort of pavement again. Keep your eyes peeled as you cruise down Hart Mountain to Frenchman road. We spotted a couple of different herds of antelope grazing out in the grasses, one near a small lake off a slight spur from the road. We were only able to get within about 100 yards of the antelope before they got skittish and bounced out (literally). But with good specs (protip, bring something with an optical zoom lens) you can see some cool stuff. There's really not much going on here, but if you have time on your hands and like seeing wildlife in its natural habitat, then this is a fine place to visit.

Hart Mountain National Antelope Refuge is a treasure, and a bit of a surprise if you're not…read moreexpecting it. I drove through here on my way to Steens Mountain years ago and while Steens is undeniably dramatic, Hart NAR was no less amazing. Not expecting much between Lakeview and Frenchglen I was shocked to see the dramatic rise from Plush to the top of Hart Mountain as I approached from the Southwest. Hart was not my main destination so I had to drive through but even that simple drive was really breathtaking. Lots of antelope crossing the road to the N past the HQ. The smell of sage brush everywhere. I've been planning a return trip for years now! I make maps for a living and Hart turned into a small obsession for me. The result was a detailed digital mobile map, mostly for my use later, but also available online for anyone else who may want a mobile map of Hart NAR: https://www.avenzamaps.com/maps/68/ A word of caution, the main road is all washboard and can be pretty rough. Take is slow and air down your tires if you can. On my return home I pressed through a little fast without reducing air pressure and blew out a rear tire on my new to me FJ60. It was only then that I discovered that wheel had two different size lug nuts and I only had the wrench for one size! I limped over to the Hart Mountain NAR HQ (a grueling slow speed drive), where the staff were amazing and very helpful! Can't wait to go back, will drive slower next time!

I've been back 5 times now and never have had a bad experience. Front desk has always been polite…read moreand communicative. If they are busy, they will let you know. People need to understand, this place isn't like Seattle, Portland, or a large city - it's a nice little hot spring in the middle of the desert. The amenities are as they come, and that's all you'll really need. They also have a good selection of beef from the local ranch. We always will buy some to cook there and then a couple to take home. Will definitely be back. Worth the drive.

If you're exploring all the unique Oregon places this place has to be on the list! The hot springs…read morewere magnificent. There were a few things I wish I had known before going. There is no cold water for cooling down from the hot springs or for drinking. I think there might be water for sale in the office there. Of course fill up on gas because there is none available Mind your step when you get into the pools it may be super slippery. There are rattlesnakes, scorpions and mice that might visit at night! Plus other critters probably. I originally wanted to just due a day soak but I'm glad I decided to camp. It was amazing getting to lay in the springs at night and driving the playa at sunset. I loved every second of it except for getting stalked by a rattlesnake. Very fun experience just make sure you're prepared to be in the Outback!

We found out about this hotspring from the owner of Fields Station…read more It's a locals spot. We probably shouldn't tell you about it. But we will, if you can keep a secret. This is a fantastic, secluded hotspring in the middle of the high desert. The road our here is impassable during rain, so be careful! There are also thousands of hares out here (you know, bunny-like things) so be careful! I'd be impressed if you could avoid killing one. There are two pools of slightly different temps. There's also a honey bucket. You can camp pretty much anywhere. It's free. Don't tell.

Wait! Do you hear that? That is the sound of me.....stepping into the largest bathtub imaginable…read more Crane Hot Springs in Burns, Oregon is off the beaten path, so rural that as you drive to it you think that you must have missed a turn somewhere. But it is there, a little pool of heavenly warm, mineral water with endless skies and rolling hills. We needed to get out of town, we needed some relaxation, we needed a good deal, and we got all three at Crane Hot Springs. We traveled the 363 miles, 6.5 hours, to check out if this was truly a "unique soaking resort." Having visited many hot springs along raging rivers and at the end of hikes I was curious how a seemingly commercialized "resort" would compare. The thing about hot springs is that they are wild and free....this did not seem wild, or free, it does come with a price tag. However, when I was searching for an adventure out of town and advertisement popped up offering off-season discounts and I was intrigued. We went the weekend after Valentine's Day and were able to reserve a small cabin right next to the pool for less than a hotel room would have cost. Keep an eye for good deals. I joined a mailing list to be informed off upcoming events and sales since I know we WILL be going back. Let's talk about the accommodations first. Everything is very closely situated. The office is directly across from the pool, soaking tubs, bathrooms/showers, and cabins which are directly across from hotel rooms. The only lodging that is somewhat private with a lot of space is the RV spaces that are little bit of a walk. We opted for a small cabin. By small I mean that there were two beds and a bedside table and that was all the room available. Not spacious, but really, who wants to stay in when there is a hot spring to soak in? We didn't mind. Also, it was dog friendly. There is a kitchen on site that is offered for guest that has a small stove, fridge, microwave, and a few dishes/pots pans, and a small table. We used it to heat some soup, bake some biscuits, and keep our salad fixings cold. The office has a few frozen meals, ice cream, and a few odds and ends for purchase if you want to keep it simple. The office also has pool noodles, sunscreen, and the usual branded apparels. One thing to note, there is a wildlife reserve as part of the land. When we went it was very windy and chilly but it was a nice walk for the dog filled with different types of birds and several scenic spots to sit and rest. The walking trail is flat, well maintained, and not very long. Perfect way to start your morning or end your day. We did not book an appointment for a private soaking tub, but did glance in to check out the private, tiny rooms with a galvanized tub to fill. The bathroom/shower facility was very nice and functional. It has a big common room with tables to put bags and comfortably sit while waiting. The showers were spacious, the bathrooms clean. Now, to discuss the hot springs itself. First off, it's huge...it's the size of a pool...and hot from one end to the other. It is not deep, but deep enough to swim and float around. The rushing water cascading down creates a myriad of different heat levels. If you are ready to boil, they have a hot tub they call "The Lobster Pot" that is even hotter! We spent two hours floating around, chatting, floating, and didn't realize it. Time flies when you are cozy. We were concerned about the noise level in the pool when we went to bed around 10:00 because the proximity was so close. We didn't notice, although, it wasn't that busy and there were not a lot of people still hanging out when we went in. The pool is open 24 hours! We got up early for another float before check-out. Check out was easy and we left Crane Hot Springs very relaxed and already planning another trip. Perhaps we will stay in one of their novelty lodgings next time, there are covered wagons, tee-pees, houses, 5th wheels, and hotel rooms and suites. If you are a lover of hot springs and are looking for something that doesn't include a hike, dozens of people crowded into tiny pools, and want to ensure that clothing is not optional (suits must be worn at Crane Hot Springs), then this place is worth the drive. You'll love it. Maybe we will see you there!

Had a great time with the family at Crystal Crane Hot Springs. We stayed in the Eagles Nest which…read morehad 2 big beds and a tub that could easily fit 4 adults. The bathroom and showers were 20 feet away and our stay was still very quiet. There is a picnic table and first pit with a burning grill so we had everything we needed. The nights got a little cold cause the tipi has a canvas door and there is a couple holes where the wind blows in, by the second night we got wise and shoved extra clothes in the holes on the tipi got super warm due to blocking the wind and turning on the space heater thats inside. It was relaxing and not as rowdy as I thought it would get for a place that has a lot of people but they are spread out enough to not worry about and people just come and go for the hot water. We had a late check in that they were very nice about and we checked out on time. See you guys again!

Quiet remote hotel. Old fashion in all ways in a good sense…read more Friendly staff. Maid service, Great hearty generous food. Only complaint were the pillows!

I kept waiting for the gunslingers to come out in this western as western gets setting. We stayed…read moreat Hotel Diamond for two nights while we were visiting the Steen Mountain area with some friends. We had dinner at the hotel both nights of our stay and to say the food was abundant would be an understatement. The meal, served family style, was so good you kept eating even though you knew you were full. The first night of our stay we had BBQ ribs and chile relleno casserole along with an assortment of cooked vegetables and homemade bread and if that wasn't enough, dessert was a homemade bread pudding. The second night we had meatballs, mashed potatoes with cabbage, cooked vegetables and homemade bread. Having learned my lesson the night before, and not being a fan of ground meat of any kind, I took a pass on the meatballs and just had potatoes and vegetables for my dinner. It was more than sufficient, but then came dessert again. This time buttermilk pie. I had never heard of buttermilk pie before...kind of like a custard pie...and I have to say it was quite good. I manage to eat about three bites of it before I had to declare myself full and leave it to our friend to finish. This is truly the kind of place that I envision when I read western stories and was a wonderful setting for our visit to the Steens.

Alvord desert is a unique experience that we knew we were never going to go unless we went on this…read moreroad trip. Coming from Idaho, we were required to go onto gravel roads (at least 30 miles I would say) which was a little concerning but we made it safely. We stay at the Alvord Hot Springs so had a direct access to desert (which is a dried up lake). On the first night we arrived around 6PM, the wind was absolutely wild. We went out on the playa and could barely see anything besides what was in front of us. We gave it another shot at sunrise the next morning and came to a much more pleasant experience. At Alvord, you can drive around the playa freely. There was cracks in the dried mud that makes for some cool photos and then you can see the outlines of the mountains, although on our visit was a little foggy from the California fires (August 2020) so not as easy to see. Besides that there isn't anything else to really do. All in all, the experience was cool experience to have (and to stay in a bunker -- see Alvord Hot Springs review), but I would not go out of my way to see this again because it really is kind of out of the way, especially on a cross-country road trip.

Lying at the northern perimeter of the Basin and Range geologic province, the Alvord Desert is a…read morelarge dry lake bed - a playa - similar to others found in the region, such as those just to the south in Nevada near Black Rock. Alvord is a fault block basin formed by tectonic activity that raised (and still raises) the Steens Mountains and others surrounding the playa. It's a typical feature in the Basin and Range. From a non-geologic perspective, Alvord is pretty spectacular to visit, particularly if you're a desert rat like I am. The views are incredible. Moreover, you can drive out onto the playa which takes you into a surreal environment as well as providing access to the land on the south side of the playa. I must add a caveat - please do not drive on the playa when it's wet or has recently rained (an infrequent event, to be sure). Vehicle tracks mar the surface of the lake bed and will endure for years. See one of my photos for an example. Proximity to the Steens makes Alvord even more attractive. The mountain looms over the playa, inviting you to drive up to the top and take in the downward view too. Note that large tracts of the Alvord Desert are within a BLM Wilderness Study Area and the Leave No Trace principle applies.

I ventured out to the Alvord Desert to experience Land Sailing with my husband and friends. Since…read morecamping in the dust did not appeal to us ladies, we decided to take it up a notch and stay at the Steens Country Cabin. I really can't say enough good things about this place. The pictures do not do it justice. The 'cabin' is clean and comfortable. There is plenty of room for 4 guests. The kitchen has everything you need. It was so nice to come back from a day on the playa and take a nice hot shower and have a nice BBQ dinner. Bring enough food because the nearest grocery store is in about 120 miles away. A word to the 'City' folk (like us), this is rural Oregon. The locals out here are honest, friendly people. If you want a good experience, treat them (as you should with everyone) with respect, courtesy and honesty. At the end of the day the real plus was getting to know the owners, John, Cheryl and their two dogs. They are very welcoming and know the area very well.

Stayed here on a recent hunting trip in the Steen's mountains and wow, what a great place! The…read morecabin is huge! Tons of room and well decorated. It was nice to come back from a long day of hunting to an air conditioned cabin. The cabin was fully stocked with everything we could possibly need. Nice sized kitchen and the bedrooms were huge! The location couldn't be better, stepped outside and the Steen were right there and gorgeous. Well maintained area. Even though the cabin isn't quite a real "cabin", you wouldn't even know it when you stepped in. Such a great place. The owners were extremely nice and accommodating. They made sure we had anything we needed and they were very friendly! They had two dogs who are too cute for words. Highly recommend staying there, it's worth the trip!

It's possible to travel just 3 hours and feel like you're in another world. When we booked our…read moreadventure over the phone, Susan asked about our riding experience, any food sensitivities and how much we wanted to dive in with the ranch experience. When we arrived, Susan came out of the house to welcome us and showed us our cabin (which they just finished last year). I wanted every experience the ranch had to offer and Tim and Susan did not disappoint. From waking up at sunrise to feed the horses, to witnessing the birth of a calf (they didn't have control over that but a total bonus), fixing fences, riding all day, cattle pushing, taking care of the horses, riding in the back of a truck after a long day, taking care of calves, glorious sunrises and sets, magnificent landscape to wonderful home cooked meals. We would swap stories at the table as I stuffed my mouth with biscuits, steak and homemade jam. I would watch the day break from the loft in our cabin. There was something so comforting and so right to put on the same pair of dusty jeans and boots as I got ready to tackle the day. I never once felt stupid for still not grasping how to cinch my horse by the third day or accidentally splitting up a herd during a push down the mountain. Susan made sure she snapped a photo or got a video during our glory moments. We were all treated like family and it was hard to say goodbye when the time came. Your adventure will be worth every penny, every sore butt and dusty face. In my 43 years next to my daughter's birth, this was the greatest moment of my life. My soul was alive the whole week and have found my calling after my daughter flys the coop. There is no better place to heal the soul than on the back of a horse.

Suz and Tim are wonderful hosts! There was a welcome sign…read moreon the porch which made us feel right at home. My sweetie had scheduled us for a two hour horse back ride but I've never ridden. The original destination seemed a bit daunting, so we spent some time in the Arena letting me get used to the feel of the horse and learning how to "drive" her, so to speak. I was a little embarrassed, but neither of these horse pro's made me feel anything less than fine. They kept telling me how good i was getting and that they saw me go from tense to comfortable in the short time we were on horseback. I'd love to see them again and I think I would like go on horseback again.... I'm so thankful for their patience and hospitality.