Oregon’s Best-Kept Secret: The Alvord Desert
There’s no place quite like Oregon. Known for stunning green forests, majestic mountains, and vibrant city life, this state captures the heart with a unique blend of natural beauty, quirky charm, and Northwest hospitality. But among its many wonders, there’s one gem Oregonians are particularly fond of. Tucked away in the southeastern corner of the state, you’ll find Oregon’s best-kept secret: the Alvord Desert.
The Magic of the Alvord Desert
Unlike the damp, mossy forests of the Willamette Valley or the bustling streets of Portland, the Alvord Desert offers a completely different experience. It’s a place where silence is part of the landscape, where your thoughts echo off the salt flats and where the night sky is so clear it feels like you can pluck the stars right from the sky.
Notably known for its vast, pristine playa — a dried-up lake bed stretching around 12 miles long and 7 miles wide — the Alvord Desert is a dramatic contrast to the lush Cascade Range or the rugged Pacific coastline. This barren desert, framed by the steadfast Steens Mountain to the west, offers a unique solitude that’s challenging to find elsewhere in the Beaver State.
Off the Beaten Path
Reaching the Alvord Desert isn’t for the faint-hearted. The drive out typically takes travelers down the Eastern Oregon’s Route 205, a scenic freeway also known as the “Oregon Outback Scenic Byway.” Go past big cities and quiet towns, follow the winding Malheur River, and watch how the scenery changes from dense forests to open plains and rugged mountains.
Your destination may be remote, but along the way, you’ll have the chance to stop at charming places like the Frenchglen Hotel. A living piece of Oregon’s pioneer history, the Frenchglen Hotel offers hearty meals and homey rooms that perfectly capture Oregon’s rustic hospitality. Besides, breaking up the long drive is worth it when a slice of Marionberry pie at one of the local diners is at stake – nobody does pie as good as we Oregonians!
Original Oregon Adventures
Life in the Alvord Desert is far from ordinary. For instance, who needs a snowboard when you can sandboard on the dunes near by? The sand on the Alvord Desert is perfect for sandboarding, especially on the eastern edge of the playa where the wind has swept the sand into small dunes.
For thrill-seekers, how about land sailing? With strong, consistent winds and a wide-open salt flat, one can use a land yacht to cruise across the desert surface at speeds up to 50-60 MPH. Surely, that’s an adventure Alis volat propriis – she flies with her own wings, as we say back home.
But nothing says “Oregon” more than soaking in a natural hot spring. Alvord Hot Springs, situated just east of the desert playa, is an off-grid oasis providing a glorious contrast to the cold desert nights. But remember, bring your quarters, because this is one authentic Oregon experience that, charmingly, is still paid by the slot!
Stargazing: An Unforgettable Experience
If there’s one thing you must absolutely do when in Alvord Desert, it’s to lie under the star-freckled sky sprawl. Thanks to no light pollution whatsoever, stargazing here is on an astronomical level. The Milky Way is so clearly visible, stretching across the night sky, that it’ll leave you breathless and feeling infinitesimally small.
When you’re standing on the playa gazing up at the cosmos, you feel a million miles away from every known Oregon norm; far from the clamor of Saturday markets in Eugene, the cheerful frenzy of Pendleton Round-Up, or the coastal mystery of the Tillamook Rock Lighthouse.
Experience the Unseen Oregon
The Alvord Desert represents a side of Oregon most folks rarely get to see. It’s raw, it’s remote, and it’s ruggedly beautiful in a way that tugs at the heartstrings of every Oregonian who has stood alone on its vast expanse.
Though it’s quite a stretch from the familiar quirky coffee shops of Portland, the rainy Duck football games in Eugene, or the deliciously famed Rogue creamery in Central Point, it’s undeniably Oregon. The Alvord Desert embodies our love for adventure, our bond with nature, and our state’s surprising landscapes.
Next time you’re craving an authentic Oregon adventure, steer off the beaten path — trust me on this one. Head east, way east, and experience the Alvord Desert. You might find it strange that such a place exists in our little corner of the Pacific Northwest. But then, isn’t that just classic Oregon? Embrace the distinctive rugged beauty, and you’ll unwrap a new layer of this multifaceted state we love to call home.