481 units scored Refreshed on a schedule Independent, no sponsored rankings
Recreation AreaOR
Steens Mountain Cooperative Management & Protection Area
NPS / Greg Shine, BLM
93/ 100ESSENTIAL
parkverdict Experience ScoreIndependent, not sponsored
93 of 100. Our independent metric for how much a unit documents and how easy it is to access, computed the same way for every park so the ranking is reproducible.
Produced by a transparent formula from public NPS data, not a guess. How we score
Our Verdict
Is Steens Mountain Cooperative Management & Protection Area worth it?
Steens Mountain is one of the great under-visited landscapes in the American West, a half-million-acre block of high desert, glacier-carved gorges, and wild sky that rewards people willing to drive far and plan carefully.
The 52-mile backcountry byway alone earns the trip, threading past wild horse country, deep gorges, and historic ranch land. Free entry, staggering dark skies, and a genuinely diverse activity list make this an overachiever. The remoteness is real though, and anyone expecting easy infrastructure will struggle.
Who it is for
Ideal for self-sufficient adventurers who want stargazing, backpacking, horseback riding, or OHV access in a single uncommercial destination. Paddlers, mountain bikers, and winter sports enthusiasts also have real options here. Casual day-trippers without high-clearance vehicles or backcountry experience should look elsewhere.
Highlights
Dark sky stargazing from high-elevation camps with minimal light pollution from surrounding Oregon outback
Gorge overlooks along the backcountry byway, including Kiger Gorge and East Rim, revealing glacier-carved scale rarely seen outside Alaska
Wild horse viewing areas accessible via the byway, one of the more authentic wildlife experiences in the region
Backcountry backpacking and wilderness access across a landscape large enough to absorb crowds entirely
Editor's tipThe backcountry byway requires a high-clearance vehicle and is typically accessible only from late June through October, so check road conditions before committing to the drive from Burns, the nearest town with services roughly 60 miles away. Stock up on fuel, food, and water before you leave.
About Steens Mountain Cooperative Management & Protection Area
The Steens Mountain Cooperative Management and Protection Area (CMPA) is approximately 500,000 acres of private and public land offering diverse scenic and recreation experiences. The CMPA encompasses deep glacier-carved gorges, stunning scenery, wilderness, wild and scenic rivers, and a way of life for all who live there. The 52-mile Steens Mountain Backcountry Byway provides access to four campgrounds, numerous trails, the Riddle Brothers Ranch National Historic District, wild horse roaming areas, and opportunities for fishing and hunting. The views from Kiger Gorge, East Rim, Big Indian Gorge, Wildhorse, and Little Blitzen Gorge overlooks are not to miss! Know Before You Go There are long distances between services and amenities, such as fuel, drinking water, restrooms and cell phone reception. Most roads in the area are rough and primitive, high clearance or 4x4 vehicles along with high quality tires are recommended. The remote nature and vast landscape of the area may leave even the most experienced traveler confused or lost. Traveling with a current map of the area is essential. Point of Interest The Steens Mountain CMPA is a mixture of public and private lands and specially designated areas where particular regulations may apply. Obey road closure signs and stay on designated open routes (which are those shown on current BLM maps) driving off road is prohibited. Respect
