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.