Guides/Overland routes/Oregon
Overland route66 mi5,300 ft gaindifficulty: moderate

Steens Mountain Loop Road

RegionOregonAgencyBureau of Land ManagementLast verified—
Steens Mountain Loop Road — overland route near Frenchglen, Oregon, Oregon
Photo by Greg Shine / BLM Oregon & Washington via Wikimedia Commons (public domain)
Trail vitals7 facts
Length
66mi
Elev gain
5,300ft
Technical difficulty
Moderate
Direction
Loop
Vehicle
High-clearance vehicle. The South Steens section (rocky and steep) requires 4WD; the rest of the loop is passable to passenger cars in dry conditions at lower speeds.
Best months
Jul, Aug, Sep
Cell coverage
None on the loop
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Steens Mountain Loop Road is a 66-mile gravel route through southeastern Oregon's Steens Mountain Cooperative Management and Protection Area, a 425,000-acre BLM unit centered on a 30-mile-long fault-block ridge that drops 5,000 feet to the Alvord Desert in a single escarpment. The loop climbs from Frenchglen at 4,200 feet to the summit area at 9,500 feet, passing four campgrounds and overlooks of glacier-carved gorges (Kiger, Big Indian, Wildhorse, and Little Blitzen).

Most of the loop is suited to high-clearance passenger vehicles in dry conditions. The South Steens section near South Steens Campground is steep and rocky and benefits from 4WD. The road closes for snow most of the year and typically opens fully mid-July through October.

Hazards

Read before you go

  • Snow closure. The loop closes from late October through June or July most years. Some sections open earlier than others.
  • Sudden weather. High-elevation thunderstorms hit the East Rim quickly. Stay off exposed ridges when storms approach.
  • Wildlife. Wild horses, antelope, and cattle on the road. Drive slowly.
  • Steep rocky section. South Steens between South Steens Campground and the highway is the loop's hardest stretch. 4WD recommended.
  • No services. No fuel, water, or cell coverage on the 66 miles of loop.
  • High elevation. The summit is at 9,500 feet. Visitors from sea level should expect altitude effects.

Location

66 mi · Overland route

Approx. location 42.831, -118.913

Trail facts

5 fields
AgencyBureau of Land Management
Nearest townFrenchglen, Oregon
Websitewww.blm.gov/visit/steens-mountain-cooperative-management-protection-area
ClosedNov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr
Approx. location42.831, -118.913

Getting there

Directions

From Burns on US-20, take State Highway 78 southeast for 2 miles, then turn south on State Highway 205. Drive 60 miles south to Frenchglen. The Steens Mountain Loop Road begins just past the Frenchglen Hotel.

Approximate Frenchglen entrance coordinates: 42.831° N, -118.913° W.

Photos

2 photos

Photos · 2

Field notes

Getting Oriented

Steens Mountain rises in Harney County in southeastern Oregon, between the Catlow Valley to the west and the Alvord Desert to the east. Frenchglen, a hamlet of about 12 residents, anchors the western access. Burns is the closest larger service town, 60 miles north on State Highway 205. The Steens are sometimes called the Steens "Mountain" (singular) because the entire 30-mile-long fault block is geologically a single uplift, not a range.

Trail Overview

Most drivers run the loop counterclockwise from Frenchglen. The road climbs east through the Big Indian Gorge area to the summit overlook at 9,500 feet, where the East Rim drops 5,000 feet to the Alvord Desert below. From the summit the loop descends south through Wildhorse Lake area and circles back to State Highway 205 via the South Steens section. The South Steens portion is the rocky and steep one; passenger cars handle the north half but should turn back before South Steens.

Driving the full loop without stops takes four to five hours. With overlook stops at Kiger Gorge, East Rim, and Wildhorse, plan a full day. Most travelers camp at one of the four loop campgrounds and turn the trip into two days.

Points of Interest

  • Kiger Gorge Overlook. A glacier-carved cirque, the most-photographed view on the mountain.
  • East Rim Overlook. A 5,000-foot drop to the Alvord Desert. Visible weather to the east.
  • Wildhorse Lake. A small alpine lake in a glacial cirque.
  • Little Blitzen Gorge. Another glaciated canyon visible from the loop.
  • Page Springs Campground. At the Frenchglen end, the lowest-elevation campground.
  • South Steens Campground. Near the rocky section, in the Big Indian drainage.
  • Wild horse herds. Steens hosts one of the largest wild horse populations in Oregon.

Where to Camp

Four BLM campgrounds along the loop: Page Springs (near Frenchglen, year-round), Fish Lake (mid-elevation), Jackman Park (mid-elevation), and South Steens (south side). All have vault toilets and are first-come, first-served. Page Springs has potable water seasonally. Dispersed camping is allowed in much of the surrounding BLM land subject to the 14-day stay limit.

Tips for a Safe and Enjoyable Trip

  • Visit July through October. The road closes for snow from late October through June most years.
  • Check road status with BLM Burns District before driving. Snow gates close sections seasonally.
  • Carry water and food for the day. There is no potable water at the higher campgrounds.
  • Top off fuel in Burns or at the Frenchglen Hotel before starting. Frenchglen has limited supply.
  • The South Steens rocky section is the toughest part. Passenger cars should turn back before it.
  • Cell service is absent on the loop. Carry an offline map.
  • Watch for wild horses, antelope, and golden eagles.
  • Contact the BLM Burns District at 541-573-4400 for current conditions.

Frequently asked

Common questions

How difficult is Steens Mountain Loop Road?
Steens Mountain Loop Road is rated moderate. The route runs 66 miles with 5,300 feet of elevation gain.
What kind of vehicle do you need for Steens Mountain Loop Road?
High-clearance vehicle. The South Steens section (rocky and steep) requires 4WD; the rest of the loop is passable to passenger cars in dry conditions at lower speeds.
When is the best time to visit Steens Mountain Loop Road?
The best months are Jul, Aug, Sep. Avoid Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr.
Is there cell service at Steens Mountain Loop Road?
None on the loop