Oregon’s Best-Kept Secret: The Alvord Desert

A hidden gem

Oregon is brilliantly diverse, known for lush rainforests, majestic mountains, and a coastline that can take your breath away. But, there’s a different side to Oregon that many overlook – an expanse of land so vast that the sky seems to fold onto it at the horizon, uniquely vast and barren. We’re talking about Oregon’s best-kept secret – the Alvord Desert.

Oasis in the wilderness

Nestled in the southeastern corner of Oregon, right at the base of the Steens Mountain, the Alvord Desert’s 12-by-7-mile playas are a stark contrast to the state’s typically lush forests and lively coastline. It’s like Oregon decided to keep a piece of Mars hidden away, where the average precipitation doesn’t exceed seven inches a year.

Here, you won’t find any Starbucks or Voodoo Doughnuts, so beloved in our little Oregon towns. Forget amenities; even Oregon’s signature evergreens will be hard to spot. Think more along the lines of cacti, enjoy some solitude, and enjoy some of the darkest skies Oregon offers, filled with awe-inspiring constellations you won’t catch in the city.

Off the beaten path

Driving big Marshall Boulevard in Burns, the starting point of your Alvord adventure, you can almost hear the desert calling past those sprawling Malheur National Wildlife Refuge expanses. Locals in Burns will tell you to have enough camping gear with you because there’s no place quite like Alvord for a primitive, wild camping experience.

The stunning Borax Lake, well-known among us Oregonians for its unique geological features, lies to the east of the desert. The shimmering lake, heated by the geothermal wonders beneath it, provides a striking contrast to the arid desert around it.

A desert with a sense of humor

Though the Alvord is a desert, it sure can pull some good old Oregon weather tricks. In winter, it isn’t uncommon for the playa to fill with water, turning into a shallow lake. It’s quite a sight, seeing that vast expanse of nothingness suddenly mirror the sky above. No wonder they say in these parts, “If you don’t like the weather in Oregon, wait five minutes.”

The thermal springs dotting the region are another interesting feature. Alvord Hot Springs, now privately owned (pay the reasonable fee and take a dip) lets you soak your bones as you gaze out at the cracked desert floor, a weirdly peaceful blend of the harsh and the gentle.

Apex of wild beauty

For those with an adventurous spirit, the Alvord highlights the bizarre beauty of Oregon’s wilderness. While sunrise and sunset are quintessential desert experiences, it’s the stunning clarity of star-studded nights that truly steals the show. Forget the city lights of Portland; the Alvord night skies are an astronomer’s dream.

The desert’s unpredictability is seamlessly woven into Oregon’s natural tapestry. It’s a place of contrasts, of raw beauty, reminding us that Oregon’s charm isn’t just about Portland’s food truck culture or Bend’s craft brews, but also about remote wilderness where nature’s offbeat humor reigns.

Alvord: An unassuming ambassador of Oregon

Oregon’s love for the outdoors isn’t just about hiking Forest Park or skiing Mt. Hood. It’s about experiencing the rugged simplicity of the Alvord Desert, where the only sounds around might be the distant call of a coyote or the wind brushing over the playa’s flat expanse.

Be it a stargazer’s paradise, a solitude seeker’s sanctuary, or a thrill-seeker’s playground, the Alvord Desert embodies the Oregon spirit – adventurous, unpredictable and brimming with natural beauty. It’s a testament to the eclectic range of experiences that Oregon has to offer. Though it might not be the ‘typical’ Oregon experience, the Alvord Desert is quintessentially Oregon in the most unassuming way, just waiting for you to head out and explore its rugged charm. So, pack your camping gear, double-check your tires, and hit the road – a piece of Mars on Earth is waiting for you against the stunning backdrop of the Steens Mountain!