Best Glamping near Frenchglen, OR

We’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.

This little gem is nestled in SE Oregon and features an assortment of camping options, from private tee-pee, dry camping, to full RV hook ups this place can accommodate any guest. The water is naturally at 160 degrees yet they "hold" the temp at 100 degrees. This may make it a bit cool for some. The spring is actually fed into a pond with a soft, black gravel/sand bottom. There are private soaking tubs available though at 15 bucks a head per hour the cost is on the high side. We found it to be a worthy treat though we must declare that hot springs are our personal favorites. We stayed in dry camp site #2 which featured its own picnic table and fire ring. Fires are permitted yet while we stayed you were required to have a bucket of water on site while the fire was burning. Wood is available at 7 bucks a bundle and the water buckets are provided for use FOC. There is minimal shade though the camp does have a community center with wifi and AC. There is also a communal kitchen. The kitchen is 24/7 and the center is 8am to 9pm. Showers are super clean though a bit cramped. The best part is that the pond is 24/7 and stargazing under an expansive sky while soaking I. the healing warm waters is a magical experience. Check it out, you won't regret it. Last arrival,is at 9pm and mandatory quiet is from 10pm to sunrise. Book on this one was "The Kybalion, and musIc was The Deads Europe '72. Enjoy it boppers….

We spent 2 nights at the campground and did the Big Indian Gorge hike to the headwall (it was awesome!) Campground was clean and quiet, except for a few big RV's with generators.

I originally went to the South Steens family Campground to find a site and it was full. I went over to the equestrian campsites even though I didn't have any horses. It worked out just fine. The campsites are close together so there isn't much privacy. It is August and they are not allowing campfires. They have restrooms and a well house to get water from. The skies were clear and I was able to get a glimpse of the meteor shower. I've never seen stars like that it was really nice. 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. I would come back here.

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.

This 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.

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.

Not 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.

I 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

The 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.

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.

Beautiful view of Playa!

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

When 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.

We visited Crystal Crane Hot Springs Aug, 2018. The property has a general store, large common room with board games and book sharing, and a kitchen that can be used for cooking or food storage by all guests. Overnight accommodations include: 9 cabins, 9 RV spots, 15 tent spots, a 3 bedroom ranch house, 3 bedroom inn, and a teepee with a private hot tub. Our RV spot had a gorgeous view of the surrounding high dessert and the stars at night were amazing as there is very little light pollution. 

The employees and owners are friendly, helpful, and eager to make sure guest's needs were met. One of the men told us about a pair of tundra swans that made there home on a pond at the back of the property 

I enjoyed our stay so much that I wished we had booked more nights. It's a long drive from major towns but the drive is worth the effort,  Note this is not an appropriate campsite for the "party" crowd. This is a family-friendly place with a no-open-alcohol policy and clothing required in the pond.

A well cared for hot springs

The 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.

Wonderful hot springs! Included in camping fee. We are dry camping but the do have full hookups. Beautiful night sky.