“Oregon's high desert: Steens Mountain rises nearly 10,000 feet from the Alvord Desert. U-shaped glacial gorges, rimrock cliffs, and the stark white playa visible far below. Profound isolation.”
About This Location
Steens Mountain in southeastern Oregon is one of the most geographically dramatic BLM landscapes in the Pacific Northwest. The mountain is a fault-block peak that rises nearly 10,000 feet above sea level — and nearly 5,000 feet above the Alvord Desert playa directly to the east. Glacially carved U-shaped gorges cut the eastern escarpment, while the western slope descends gradually through high desert sagebrush. The Alvord Desert itself is a cracked alkaline playa rivaling Black Rock Desert in visual minimalism. The Steens Mountain Loop Road, Oregon's highest, is accessible July through October and provides rim access to some of the most breathtaking gorge vistas in the country. Managed by BLM's Burns District. Commercial filming requires a Special Recreation Permit. This is genuinely remote — the nearest town is tiny Fields, Oregon. Ideal for productions seeking profound wilderness isolation.
Color Palette
Location
📍 Open in Google Maps →Permit Information
Permit Required
Type
BLM Film Permit
Fee
$0–$200+/day
Contact
BLM Burns District Office
Contact Permit Office
📞 541-573-4400The Steens Mountain Loop Road (highest road in Oregon) is accessible July–October. Alvord Desert below is accessible year-round by a different route.
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