Many great overlooks and trails here. Steens mountain loop is a confusing mix of scary looking drop offs and placid gravel roads. We went backwards it seems from what most people did. We came from south Steens campground. The way up was steep and many sharp turns, with a lot of altitude gain in only a few miles, and being able to see so far into the distance to the desert floor below is incredible and added to the awe of what we were traveling into. While the backside, heading back into French glenn was a gradual decent and relatively uneventful. The pictures are fine, but can't convey the amazing views and the majesty of what you'll see if you make this journey yourself. It's confusing because one minute you'll be traveling up the side of a mountain with thousands of feet drop one side to a sub alpine plain with acres upon acres of open sagebrush and a winding gravel road through the center. I've seen a lot in Oregon and this is probably the best. The road is well maintained, it can be taken in almost any vehicle, I probably wouldn't go in a smart car but you probably could. There are many overlooks for amazing views and pictures as well as a few short trails for the same. If you're up for it there are a few bigger trails like Wildhorse Lake and Big Indian Gorge . If you get to the summit I would recommend heading up the path to the cell towers to see the valley below and looking out over the Alvord desert. Very beautiful and awe inspiring to say the least.

One of the great scenic drives in Oregon with ancient canyons carved by glaciers and stunning views of the surrounding Alvord Desert. The Steens Loop starts in the small town of Frenchglen and climbs up to the peak on a very steep dirt road that is washboard for a large portion of the route. You will pass several campgrounds on the way to four amazing viewpoints. The Kiger Gorge is a large U-shaped Canyon, The East Rim offers views of the Alvord Desert on a clear day, and The Steen Summit has great views of Wildhorse Lake at an elevation of over 9500 feet. The Loop Route is currently closed between The Wildhorse Lake and Big Indian Overlook due to a landslide. The south side of the Loop is on the downside of the mountains with some great views of the Blitzen River. You find some steep hiking trails, including Wildhorse Lake that drops a thousand feet. Located about sixty miles South of Burns on Highway 205 with limited facilities at some of the campgrounds. A great place to experience the stunning Steens Mountain range on the highest road in Oregon with a number of hiking trails and campgrounds.

Visited Steens Mtn July 2024 with temps in the 100s but the mtn is the highest elevated driveable road in Oregon at over 9700 feet and was in the low 70s with plenty of nats and glaciers Only able to drive in 26 miles as there was a road slide. Came back the next day via South entrance and drove in 24 miles. Open range cattle Saw wild horses and a bobcat Road is dirt so take your time and you'll definitely need a detail after Gorgeous views Plenty of places to pull over and take pictures There are some private land areas and they are marked A few camping places Definitely want to go back to do the entire loop!

Visited Steens Mountain Summit Monday 8/10/2020. Short sometimes steep hike up to the summit. I would not recommend for super young children or handicap because it is rocky and there are steep drop offs around. Beautiful views from up top. We saw 7 other people here. Great information kiosks. No bathrooms. Roads in are all washboard gravel.

We walked up to the very top just to say we'd done it, but it was too foggy to see anything of the east side the day we were there. Just under a half mile from the parking area up to the summit.