Alvord Desert

We camped 3 nights with a group, with our hot air balloons.  But a great time!  Flew balloons and a drone, road ATV's, watched a plane fly in and flip over on landing (a bunch tipped it back over and off he flew) and, OH, the stars!

Hot in the summer, beware of the mud after a rainstorm, but otherwise an amazing experience!

Choose tent wisely. A late night sandstorm came through and ripped our rainfly and tent was covered in sand. Had to sleep in car. I should have brought the smaller backpack tent. Beautiful place though. One night was enough.

To truly feel the awe of this place it is best done driving out onto the lake bed and sleeping in the wild. You need to bring everything you’ll need. And very important: tag or mark your spot with gps if planning time leave playa to come back. The desert plays tricks on your eyes. The stunning steens mountain range and quiet are unmatched. Hot springs and good hikes and milkshakes nearby. Treat yourself

This place is unbelievable! The pictures and descriptions can not fully explain the feeling of the Alvord Desert Playa. You should know you have to drive very far on dirt roads to get there. They are a little rough but not terrible. You will want to go slow. I recommend entering through the Alvord Hot Springs. They do charge but their entrance is much better than the Frog Spring entrance, which is very rough and not well maintained. The staff at the Alvord Hot Springs is also very knowledgeable on the area. You cannot have fires on the playa and there is no water so plan accordingly. Also the closest gas station is in Fields and the gas is very expensive. If you are thinking about going here just go. We had a camper van so we were not concerned about the elements. Do your research before you go and it will be an experience you will never forget. I can't wait to go back!

Probably the coolest place in Oregon to chill with a shortage of people, quietude, endless stars and a hot spring! You can camp virtually anywhere on the playa. The most popular area is near Frog Springs, where there is a pit toilet. Alvord Hot Springs is about two miles north of Frog Springs. It's pay-to-soak, but it's worth it. To the west the Steens loom, welcoming the setting sun. What I have found alluring about Alvord is the night, its stars, its quiet, its relentless darkness. I've never seen stars so clear. Fall is the best time to visit, but anytime is good if you ask me. Be prepared with lots of water, pack your garbage out and do your best to leave little trace so others after you might share a similar experience.

Visiting the Alvord Desert Campground is a must in Eastern Oregon.  If you book a campsite, you have private access to drive out on the desert playa, and that also includes access to the hot springs.  Well worth it.  The stars out there are incredible.  Be sure to check the weather before heading out on the playa, because if it has been raining it will be incredibly muddy and very easy to get your car stuck in.

Super duper dispersed camping. Small fee it think was $8 to go through the Alvord hot spring road to enter. Insane stars/moon views!!

The whole Alvord desert is a dry lake bed.... well most often it is dry, but if it isn’t do not even try to drive out there. The clay silt will stop an cat in its tracks. Tow company won’t even get you until it is dry...

That being said, it is completely open for dispersed camping. You could get to the middle of it and feel like you are stranded.

Total. Solitude.

We came in the summer and the bed was dry. So naturally we drove 70 mph to a spot we seems “fine”.. it’s all just dry dirt, so pick a place that is far from anyone else.

Walking around you could almost loose sight of your car, with the heat illusion ok the horizon. Super trippy, but honestly at night we nearly walked right past our car.

No light pollution, so stars are on full display, but it does get windy at night.

Be safe here, lots of people driving wicked fast.

When the weather is dry, you can camp on the Alvord Desert. There are no facilities - no water, no trash, no toilets, no shade, no cell-service - so plan accordingly and plan well. Even a slight rain can make the playa muddy and create a flash-flood, so watch the weather carefully. Pack everything out, including planning on bringing a portable toilet. 

This flat, stretching desert far from any city (or even town) provides unparalleled star-gazing. Other than cars racing across the desert, it is eerily quiet. There are some bugs. 

The sun sets behind the Steens, and sunrises across the playa are beautiful. This remote adventure is worth a trip; it's a camping experience unlike any other. It gets hot during the day, so bring a shelter and plan some time to get off the desert for a break from the sun.