Oregon’s Best-Kept Secret: The Alvord Desert

Oregon, often known for its lush green landscapes, pristine coastline, and vibrant city culture, has another side that is far more mysterious and less explored. Tucked away in the state’s southeastern corner, yonder past the appeasing comfort of Maupin’s Bake-A-Heart donuts, is a vast, secluded, and absolutely breathtaking expanse called the Alvord Desert.

A Portrait of the Alvord Desert

The Alvord Desert unfurls itself like a blank canvas where nature’s art takes prominence. It’s a stark contrast to the verdant corridors of the Columbia River Gorge or the bustling and vibrant scene at Portland’s beloved Powell’s Books. Here, the quiet, the vast open space, and the beauty of bareness reign. The shadows of the Steens Mountains kiss the salty flatlands with artistic perfection, providing a backdrop that wouldn’t look out of place in a vintage John Ford film.

For those seeking solitude or the thrill of racing across a landscape unencumbered by city limits, the Alvord Desert is an unparalleled escape. The desert floor stretches 12 miles across, solidified by crusty layers of evaporated minerals — like potash, interestingly enough, something our green-thumbed neighbors would find amusingly paradoxical given its use in their bountiful garden spread back home.

Many places in Oregon hold profound beauty in their ruggedness. The Alvord Desert, however, draws its allure from its very starkness. Think of the peace that prevails in Pine Mountain Observatory on a cloudless night, but replace the sparkling stars in vast space with the shimmering land in unending horizons. That’s the Alvord Desert—utterly remarkable and uniquely Oregonian at its heart.

An Adventurer’s Paradise

Driving through the quaint town of Burns, with its outdoor murals and rustic appeal, you might stop at the Central Pastime for some Herbal Junction Kombucha and friendly banter before steering your journey towards the desert. Once there, you can shed your inhibitions and race across the cracked, salty flats — freedom, in its purest form. If you’re lucky, you could even spot some of the Alvord Desert’s elusive wildlife; anything from the petite kangaroo rats to the graceful pronghorns.

Of course, no trip to the Alvord Desert would be complete without a soak in the Alvord Hot Springs. The hot springs, maintained by local ranchers, are the perfect antidote to the chills that sweep across the desert when the sun dips behind the Steens. As you soak in the warmth and gaze up at the pristine, unpolluted night sky, you might find yourself agreeing with the old saying, “This is Oregon outside the brochure.”

Embracing Alvord’s Unpredictability

As locals know, Oregon’s weather wields its own wand. One minute you’re strolling under the drizzle in downtown Bend, and the next, you’re wrestling the winds at Cape Kiwanda. The Alvord is Oregon’s most unpredictable, yet beautifully surreal corner. By day, the desert can heat up to sweltering temperatures, while the nights could have you reaching for the knit cap Aunt Muriel crafted during the Oregon State Fair’s knitting competition. Traditional Oregonian lore suggests keeping a raincoat handy — yes, even in the desert.

The Alvord Desert is a testament to the diverse, dynamic landscape that defines Oregon. Beneath its barren visage lies a thriving ecosystem, a testament to the tenacity of life in the most unusual of places.

While the Alvord Desert might not hand you neatly bound packages of Oregon’s grandeur like Crater Lake or Cannon Beach, it extends an invitation to discover an Oregon less-traveled, less known, and incredibly raw. This is Oregon in its primordial form, where the veil of verdancy lifts to unveil an unfettered rawness that is calming in its silence, engaging with its mysteries, and comforting in a way that only home could be.

So, Oregonians and curious explorers, cast aside your umbrellas, fetch your sunhats and trek your way to the Alvord Desert. Bring your adventurous spirit, your thirst for the unknown, and an appetite for beauty that couldn’t be replicated. This is the Alvord Desert. This is Oregon’s best-kept secret. Find it.