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South Steens Campground is located in the heart of Steens Mountain. Visitors will find picnic tables and grills at 36 family campsites amid juniper and sage. The equestrian site, designed specifically for horse users, is directly adjacent to the family campground. Recreational stock (horses, mules, llamas, goats, etc.) are not allowed in the family portion of South Steens Campground, but are welcome and comfortable at 15 equestrian sites complete with tie posts and small corrals.
The typical season of use at South Steens Campground is mid-May through mid-November.Vault restrooms and drinking water are available.The use of pelletized or certified weed-free hay is required on all BLM public lands in Oregon and Washington.
South Steens Family and Equestrian Campgrounds are close to the Historic Riddle Brothers Ranch, several hiking trails, and the Little Blitzen and Big Indian gorges. South Steens Campground Brochure
$50 - $110 / night
Come for the water. Stay for the night. Located in the heart of Harney County, Oregon, Crane Hot Springs offers an unforgettable experience you won't find anywhere else! Whether you're here for a romantic getaway or a family trip, we have something to offer any type of traveler. Soak in the Hot Springs, relax in your own private soaking tub, or enjoy a variety of overnight accommodations and offerings. There's something for everyone at Crane Hot Springs! As a small family business, we value the importance of an experience that brings family and friends together. For over 20 years, our mission has been to provide a place where you can truly get away from the world, a place to make warm memories and to have heartfelt moments. Through hard work, dedication, and service, our vision is to continue providing an amazing experience for years to come and to carry on the legacy of Crane Hot Springs. Come and join us in the heart of Harney County, make some warm memories, and have an unforgettable experience!
Legend
Syayed here on Oct 2. Paid $8 with senior pass. Nice campground. Level sites. Can accommodate all sorts of rigs, except big bus campers & long travel trailers. Trash service. Water. Clean vault toilets with tp. 2G T-Mobile service. Most sites are open with partial shade. No privacy between most sites. A few sites may accommodate hammock campers. Tent camping possible. Steens Mountain Loop Rd closed at the campground entrance.
Scout
We had RV spot #20 in the newer section and away from the lodging area. I think we would choose one closer to the pond next time so that we can get in more often! The pond is beautifully landscaped and clean, and everything is very clean. There are quite a few "rules", and the texts seemed a bit rude....but all of that resulted in a quiet, pleasant stay. A few up charges to watch for: $20 per extra guest $2 towel rental $10 per person early arrival charge. Great place. We'll stay again next year!
GuideCrane hot springs is beautiful and has a lovely soaking “pond. The campground isn’t fancy, but the spots are close to the water and campers have 24 hour access to the pond.
ScoutWonderful hot springs! Included in camping fee. We are dry camping but the do have full hookups. Beautiful night sky.
Scout
The camp ground was great. It has the basic needs for most camper trailers. 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. 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. 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. If you tent camp, I would recommend some sort of windscreen or just use your vehicle to block it somehow. Overall the scenery is majestic and is worth the drive out there. 10/10
ScoutExcellent 'dry camping' .. not crowded .. exceptionally good natural hot mineral water in a large pond that varies in depth to about 5 feet .. clothing required .. family friendly .. tipis, cabins, and suites also available for lodging .. clean .. no food nearby so bring food .. shared camp available for preparing meals .. hot mineral water pond open at night for those staying overnight .. day use welcome from 7am to 10pm ..
TravelerI’ve camped here twice in the last couple years. The hot spring is incredible. 24/7 access to the spring and no extra fee (comes with your camping fee) they’ve got all sorts of lodging accommodations. First time I was car camping, second time I brought a camper. Both times it’s been lovely and I always recommend it to friends
GuideBasic campsites, but some are very private. Either sides of camp offer amazing longer hikes to gorges coming off the steens mountain range. Fall colors were amazing, and still some water from the little Indian and blitzen rivers. Coyotes at night, pit toilets, solitude, plenty of trees. Is hot and dry in summer, but the exploration around it is breathtaking. Long dusty road but worth it. Wild horses and scenic
TravelerThis 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.
GuideI looked online and thought about making a reservation in advance, but wasn't sure about where I would end up by the end of this day in my trip. I stopped at noon and asked if they had any 30 Amp sites, but no, dry camping only. As this is in an area of BLM land, it should not have been difficult to boondock in the area. This place has water available, showers, clean bathrooms and of course the hot springs.
The check-in time is 3PM and if you arrive early, you have to leave and come back at 3 or pay an extra $10 per person (on top of $35 for dry camping) for early check-in. This rule might not be enforced by all staff members. You also have the option of paying a day use fee of $10 for 4 hours or $5 if you are 62 or older. Once again, being old pays off and I paid the day use fee to stay around. The hot springs pond is well developed and temperatures are regulated well.
The WiFi had problems and I was told that I may need to remove the settings for the site a few times to make it work. When it was working it is mostly just close to the office, but there are picnic tables near the hot springs and it is a pleasant place to work.
I would stay here again, but book in advance to get an electrical connection. It is also worth stopping for a few hours in the day to use the hot springs on a day use fee.
LegendThis was my first time at amazing Steens Mountain Wilderness. It was also my first time on a 50 mile washboard gravel road. Since we stayed in October, the campground had plenty of sites to choose from. We chose F2, a big pull through near the vault toilet and not far from the well. The campground was basic but very tidy and quiet during our stay. We especially enjoyed seeing herds of wild horses, the fall foliage on the quaking aspen, and the hiking trails.
ScoutBeautiful view of Playa!
TravelerVery nice. Especially for us needing an easy overnight while in transit. The dry camping area is open, grassy, and uncrowded. No electricity of course, but water, showers, and bathrooms are available. The $35 includes unlimited use of the hot springs. The RV zone is gravel. There are also a dozen motel rooms, small cabanas bordering the springs, and teepees if that’s your thing. The staff is very friendly, the place is well kept, and the facilities are cleaned hourly. There is also a small community kitchen with stove, refrigerator, etc. Our second time stopping here on the way to/from Steens Mtn, 45 minutes away.
ScoutThis 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.
LegendAs 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.
GuideStayed a little bit up from the campsite in the wilderness. Beautiful approach to this area, the canyons are impressive. Remote and quiet, if that’s what you’re looking for. This will never get much traffic. And then, right next door you wake up the next morning to find an incredible natural wonderland. Huge canyons, old glacial relics, a radical canyon wall that drops off to a sand dunes desert...spend a day, spend days wondering around the canyons and summits of this mountain range. Unreal beauty and so untouched, so out of the way as to almost have it to yourself.
ScoutThis is a sober haven - clean hot springs peaceful and fairly cheap parking
They also have a full kitchen you can use
ScoutI didn’t camp at the hot springs this time around, but last June (?) I did come and I enjoyed my visit. I wanted to come back to see this area again, and although I didn’t stay at the hot springs, I did stop at the front office to ask a few questions. The lady who was working was very pleasant-she was so accommodating (and also very gorgeous)! I’m definitely looking forward to coming back a third time, when I have a little more time on my hands to take a dip in the hot springs again
ScoutA well cared for hot springs
LegendWe 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.
GuideNot everyone may feel like I do, but I loved it. The hot springs are not fancy by any means, but 3 hours from the nearest from town (of 1500 people) fancy is not what one should expect. The pools are simple concrete with a ramshackle tin structure blocking the wind, and the cabins, if you rent one, look like the soviet army built them. I camped. It was cold, but the access to the spring, speeding at 120+ mph on the desert playa, and the majestic Steens Mountain peak towering above you, makes for an unforgettable desert experience.
ScoutThe pond at night is just awesome. Stars are out. Little light pollution The temperature is perfect. Staff is friendly and making reservations was easy. The site however is more like a parking lot. But take a swim in the springs and you will be back.
ScoutThe gal running the place was a gem! Couple friendly kitties and a pooch run around to greet you. Hot springs are nice and hot. Beautiful place. Late check-ins are cool and the are on an honor system.
LegendCrystal Crane Hot Springs has a lot to offer but I'm not sure camping is one them. They have hot springs (which we didn't actually try because it was during the middle of the pandemic) which looked great and I will definitely try if I'm back. They have cabins, glamping, RV sites, tent camping, a small shop, firewood for sale, showers...a little bit of everything.
We stayed twice in December, once in site 5 and once in the overflow area. The camping area feels more like an open field than an actual campground, especially in the overflow area, which I think is just kind of an open area. At site 5 there was picnic tables and a fire ring. Site 5 was good because it was a pull in, at the end of area so it was quiet, and it overlooked the hot springs.
On the plus side, the staff were super nice and the hot springs seemed great and I think that's the main appeal.
GuideWe’ve driven through the vast remoteness of SE Oregon dozens of times, but always on the way somewhere else. We stayed for two nights and finally understand the compelling beauty of wide open spaces. This private campground is well maintained and managed by a staff of welcoming, family friendly folks. The dry sites, while flat, are very spacious and well separated from the RV sites. The lounge offers free coffee and pastries, which was a delightful surprise. Great bird watching, dark skies, and a huge hot spring and showers make this a go to destination.
GuideWe stayed one night here and really enjoyed it! Interesting place with RV spaces, motel rooms, cabins, and teepees The hot springs are incredible! Clean facilities. It’s worth the drive to get here!
RangerWhen I lived in Portland, I went to the Alvord desert three times... it is a 7 hour drove, but I wanted to see it in different seasons. Each time did not disappoint.
I stayed here twice of the three times because I was with a group and the $50 bunker was not bad split up. And this got us access to the hot springs... no brained.
It was also super nice to have a heater.. while this is a dessert, the winters are so cold.
The Steens range was just dusted with snow, so we were very lucky. It was presidents weekend for reference.
Bathrooms, but not showers.
The bunkers are old military converted into a living space. Small, but really fun to stay in.
Road is easy to get to. Dirt for a few miles off the highway, but super stunning.
Worth the long haul. Every time.
Frequently Asked Questions
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According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Frenchglen, OR is South Steens Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 10 reviews.
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TheDyrt.com has all 3 glamping camping locations near Frenchglen, OR, with real photos and reviews from campers.
