Best Glamping near Denio, NV

Alvord Hot Springs features glamping accommodations in Oregon's high desert landscape approximately 45 miles from Denio, Nevada. The property includes both standard camping spots and alternative lodging in the form of converted military bunkers that provide a rustic glamping experience. These bunker accommodations offer protection from the elements, particularly important given the area's intense desert winds that can reach up to 60 mph. "The bunkers are old military converted into a living space. Small, but really fun to stay in," noted one visitor, highlighting the unique shelter options. The accommodations include heating systems—a vital amenity during cold desert nights—and provide unlimited access to the property's natural hot springs, which are pumped directly from the source without filtration.

The natural hot springs serve as the centerpiece of the glamping experience, with two soaking pools—one enclosed and one open to the elements—offering views of the Alvord Desert playa and Steens Mountain. Guests can explore the Alvord Desert floor with access provided through a gate code received upon check-in. The surrounding area offers hiking opportunities, including the nearby Pikes Creek trail and access to Big Indian Gorge. According to a camper, "If you're into collecting rocks, fossils and exploring old mines, there's plenty of that around here." The on-site general store provides basic supplies, food, and camping necessities. While facilities are rustic, with limited bathroom access and no showers, the unique desert setting with its stargazing opportunities and natural hot springs creates a distinctive glamping experience accessible year-round.

Best Glamping Sites Near Denio, Nevada (3)

    1. Alvord Hot Springs

    11 Reviews
    Frenchglen, OR
    40 miles
    Website

    $50 - $110 / night

    "This camp ground and hot springs is the perfect entrance to the Alvord desert. There are sites with and without electricity as well as bunkers if you don't want to camp."

    "He is very knowledgeable on the local area and his advice was welcome and spot on. He was very accommodating. He gave us some info on the nearby Pikes Creek trail and we were off."

    2. South Steens Campground

    10 Reviews
    Frenchglen, OR
    48 miles
    Website
    +1 (541) 573-4400

    "They have running water (So stock up before headed into the gorge! - next water is Jackman Park!) and clean pit toilets. Not a lot of shade so prep for that. All in all a nice BLM spot!"

    "Bathrooms present on site. Each spot has a great picnic table and grill. It is a rocky area so have a pad if tent camping."

    3. Mitchell's Stateline RV Park

    2 Reviews
    Orovada, NV
    46 miles
    +1 (541) 522-8133

    "It’s off 95 enough to get rid of road noise (the posted speed limit on Hwy 95 through this area is 35 mph, which helps), full hookups, showers, restrooms."

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Recent Glamping Photos near Denio, NV

1 Photos of 3 Denio Campgrounds


Glamping Reviews near Denio, NV

23 Reviews of 3 Denio Campgrounds


  • Erin P.
    Aug. 2, 2017

    South Steens Campground

    Quiet Campground in Beautiful place

    We headed to South Steens as a basecamp for some of the longer hikes. This campground is SUPER big, and we didn't have a problem getting a spot even though it was FCFS in the middle of the weekend. Clean picnic tables and sites. They have running water (So stock up before headed into the gorge! - next water is Jackman Park!) and clean pit toilets. Not a lot of shade so prep for that. All in all a nice BLM spot!

  • Conor B.
    Jul. 8, 2021

    South Steens Campground

    Great spot!

    This is a small but great camp site. Bathrooms present on site. Each spot has a great picnic table and grill. It is a rocky area so have a pad if tent camping.

  • Emma A.The Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 26, 2021

    Alvord Hot Springs

    Nice Hot Springs in the desert but rudicoloualy overpriced hi

    We made the mistake of choosing the Alvord Hot Springs resort for camping by the Alvord Desert. The place is basically a giant gravel parking lot with a few picnic benches and fire pits strewn on the sides. There is a single very dirty bathroom right next to the general store and no other services at all. The people at the store were friendly (but no one was wearing masks in COVID time). But the real issue is that the prices they charge are truly ridiculous for what is offered. The whole place revolves around the hot springs which are nice and have very hot natural spring water collected into two cement pools. It was very crowded and we had to go back to find a time there was less busy. With camping fee $40 for two adults and 30 for any additional adult, campers have unlimited access to the hot springs (which is $20 per soak if you are not camping there). They also charge $10 to give you access to the Alvord Desert floor. But there is few access road just a few miles south of the resort. Marginal cell phone reception on AT&T. Full menu of charges in the photo attached. Unless you are really into the hot springs, do yourself a favor and save yourself some cash and find unlimited dispersed camping just a couple of miles south of the resort.

  • GThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 20, 2025

    Mitchell's Stateline RV Park

    Nice Park Off Hwy 95, Utilities Work Fine

    Mitchell’s Stateline RV Park is nice. It’s off 95 enough to get rid of road noise (the posted speed limit on Hwy 95 through this area is 35 mph, which helps), full hookups, showers, restrooms. (There is one women's and one men's restroom/shower, meaning that you'd need to take turns.) The only other comment posted on The Dyrt was written in 2021. Since then, they’ve replaced sewer, power and water: it’s reliable and without fault. If you’re into collecting rocks, fossils and exploring old mines, there’s plenty of that around here. The park itself is small, about 25+/- spaces, narrow spaces, gravel, but level. Easy on/off 95. When I arrived (Tuesday mid-afternoon) there was one fifth-wheel here. By the evening, about 4 more campers arrived, still it’s mostly empty. They also have tent camping and dog walk areas. Not that it matters to me, but it’s across the street from a small grade school which only seem to make noise mid-morning during the Pledge of Allegiance and the following daily announcements, minor distraction for 1/2-hour. Also of note is that there's no staff here during the day. Calls placed to the site are returned after 5:00 pm, when she arrives home from work. Self-check-in available through the screen door, in the vestibule.

  • D
    Jul. 7, 2021

    Mitchell's Stateline RV Park

    Self serve

    Hardly any of the power posts worked. Same with the water. If you had power....it kept shutting off. No one in office or on site to fix it or help.

  • Shay F.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 6, 2021

    Alvord Hot Springs

    Unique Hotspring Adventure

    As I saw mentioned earlier, this is not for everyone.  The journey to get to Alvord was long.  We traveled Hwy 20 from Bend to Burns, 205 to Fields, Fields-Denio Rd to Alvord.  It was a long, very remote drive.  The road from Fields is gravel, so be aware.  Alvord is right off the playa.  You do get an access code with your stay to be able to drive out there.  We were warned to stay away if it rains.  It turns to mud quickly and you will get stuck.  The hotspring is pumped direct from the source.  It's murky, unfiltered, unregulated bliss.  There are two pools, so you have to get cozy with all the other soakers.  The wind was cold and fierce when we stayed.  I thought the trailer was going to tip over during the night.  We met a many nice people and had fun conversations.  Expensive for what it is, but certainly a memorable experience.

  • A
    Jun. 23, 2022

    Alvord Hot Springs

    Perfect Entrance to Alvord Desert

    This camp ground and hot springs is the perfect entrance to the Alvord desert. There are sites with and without electricity as well as bunkers if you don't want to camp. We were in a van and opted for a site with electricity. The staff was very helpful and knowledgeable about the area. Even if you don't stay here I would recommend using this paid entrance to the Alvord desert. They also have a small shop with food and camping supplies if needed. There is a rustic hot springs spot, which is very lovely. We used it twice during our one night stay. The second night we camped on the playa. I would highly recommend visiting the Alvord desert and at least stopping by this spot if you want to enter the playa.

  • Pat S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 21, 2020

    Alvord Hot Springs

    On the edge of the Alvord Desert

    This is a fantastic stop whether you camp there or stay in the bunkhouses they have. There are 11 camp spots on both sides of the road. We were there in Apr. Tom the owner was manning the general store when we stopped in. He was great. He is very knowledgeable on the local area and his advice was welcome and spot on. He was very accommodating. He gave us some info on the nearby Pikes Creek trail and we were off. We came back after a 6 mile hike and soaked in the springs. The area is kept clean and the views of the Alvord have to be seen in person. It is a short walk from the camping area to the springs. There are two soaking pools at the springs. One is enclosed the other is open. The camping area near the store is basically a parking lot and there is one flush toilet for everyone. The store has all the basics you might need including ice. If you need more the Fields store is about 20 minutes away.

  • Jacob F.
    Apr. 29, 2020

    South Steens Campground

    Great area to ride horses in!!!

    We go up to the South Steens Campground each year and stay in the Equestrian side of the campground. Normally we spend 7-10 days there and ride the gorges and down to the Riddle Brothers Ranch. This campground is great for horses. The solar well is great for water and having corals at each site is awesome! We high line some horses but there is still plenty of space for that as well. No campfires are allowed in the fall but what we do to stay warm outside is we have a small wood stove that works great to cook on as well. Just a little piece of advice is to always have you rain coat with you when you go riding in the Steens, the weather can change fast!


Guide to Denio

Alvord Hot Springs campground sits at the western edge of the Alvord Desert, a high desert playa that remains dry most of the year. Located approximately 100 miles from the nearest sizeable town, this remote area experiences temperature extremes ranging from below freezing at night to over 100°F during summer days. The surrounding Steens Mountain wilderness creates a rain shadow effect, resulting in an arid environment where winds regularly reach 60 mph.

What to do

Desert playa exploration: Access to the Alvord Desert playa requires a gate code from South Steens Campground. "This is a good base camp to go to Wildhorse Lake for a quick hike. It's 2 1/2 miles long but worth it," notes one camper who enjoyed the stark landscape. Weather conditions greatly affect accessibility.

Rock and fossil hunting: The volcanic geology surrounding Mitchell's Stateline RV Park offers interesting geological specimens. "If you're into collecting rocks, fossils and exploring old mines, there's plenty of that around here," reports a visitor who found the area rich with geological treasures.

Gorge hiking: Big Indian Gorge trail begins near South Steens and offers challenging terrain. A hiker reports: "We spent 2 nights at the campground and did the Big Indian Gorge hike to the headwall (it was awesome!)" The trail crosses streams multiple times and requires sturdy footwear.

What campers like

Natural hot springs access: The mineral-rich waters at Alvord Hot Springs maintain temperatures between 102-112°F year-round. A visitor notes: "The hot spring is pumped direct from the source. It's murky, unfiltered, unregulated bliss. There are two pools, so you have to get cozy with all the other soakers."

Exceptional night skies: Minimal light pollution creates ideal stargazing conditions. According to one camper: "I've never seen stars like that it was really nice. The skies were clear and I was able to get a glimpse of the meteor shower."

Wildlife viewing: The high desert ecosystem supports numerous species including wild horses. A visitor to South Steens remarked: "We especially enjoyed seeing herds of wild horses, the fall foliage on the quaking aspen, and the hiking trails." Morning and evening hours offer best viewing opportunities.

What you should know

Limited facilities: Most campgrounds have minimal amenities. "There is a single flushing toilet that is available for overnighters as well as small store with food and drinks for sale. The staff was very nice and helpful," explains one camper about the basic setup.

Extreme weather preparation: Wind conditions can become severe without warning. "Be aware of the wind! Our first night in our teardrop was pretty rocky. Almost lost our awning because the gusts were at or above 60mph. We talked to the staff and they said to orient the trailer front towards the mountains. It seriously helped a lot."

Road access considerations: Routes to glamping areas near Denio, Nevada often involve unpaved roads. "The road from Fields is gravel, so be aware," warns one visitor who made the journey to Alvord Hot Springs. "It was a long, very remote drive."

Tips for camping with families

Wind protection strategies: When tent camping with children, prioritize wind-sheltered sites. "If you tent camp, I would recommend some sort of windscreen or just use your vehicle to block it somehow," advises a camper who experienced challenging conditions.

Water supply planning: Potable water is scarce in the high desert. A hiker at South Steens Campground recommends: "They have running water (So stock up before headed into the gorge! - next water is Jackman Park!)" Bring extra containers to store water for cooking and drinking.

Weather gear essentials: Temperature fluctuations can be extreme. "Just a little piece of advice is to always have your rain coat with you when you go riding in the Steens, the weather can change fast!" notes an experienced visitor who came prepared for sudden weather shifts.

Tips from RVers

Site orientation matters: RV positioning affects comfort in high winds. "We talked to the staff and they said to orient the trailer front towards the mountains. It seriously helped a lot," shares a camper who learned this crucial technique for staying secure during windstorms.

Electricity limitations: Power availability varies at glamping sites near Denio, Nevada. "There are a few sites there with shore power but I didn't see any water hook ups. There is water there if you need to fill up jugs, tanks or water bottles," explains an RV camper describing the partial hookup situation.

Level site selection: The desert terrain requires careful positioning. "Campground was clean and quiet, except for a few big RV's with generators," notes a visitor who found the natural gravel pads generally level but sometimes requiring adjustments for larger vehicles.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular glamping campsite near Denio, NV?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Denio, NV is Alvord Hot Springs with a 4-star rating from 11 reviews.

What is the best site to find glamping camping near Denio, NV?

TheDyrt.com has all 3 glamping camping locations near Denio, NV, with real photos and reviews from campers.