Steens Mountain Back Country Byway Is A Back Road You Didn’t Know Existed But Is Perfect For A Scenic Drive In Oregon
Here in Oregon, the wanderlust is real. If you’ve been dreaming of hitting the road and exploring the beauty of The Beaver State, then we have the perfect scenic route to take. Tucked into the southeastern corner of the state, Steens Mountain is one of Oregon’s most wondrous hidden gems, and on the eponymous Steens Mountain Back Country Byway, you can experience this majestic mountain up close. The byway winds through the secluded mountain and its otherworldly foothills, with the unique Alvord Desert sprawling out to the south. Steens Mountain Back Country Byway is a back country road you you didn’t know existed, but is perfect for a scenic drive in Oregon.
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Steens Mountain is one of Oregon's most epic peaks—but it's not as well known as some of the state's other big names.
It's remote and absolutely one of the state's most beautiful treasures.
Part of the Steens Mountain Cooperative Management and Protection Area, the Steens Mountain region consists of 428,156 acres of public land, offering some of the most diverse and extraordinary landscapes in the state.
From deep, glacier-carved gorges to picturesque mountains, lush wilderness, and wild rivers, the Steens Mountain region truly is one of Oregon's best-kept secrets.
The views here are incomparable, and the most enjoyable (and relaxing) way to take it all in, is along the Steens Mountain Back Country Byway.
This backroad is a bit rocky in places, but generally clear and easy to navigate. During the winter, parts of the byway can be closed due to snow or other inclement conditions.
The Steens Mountain Back Country Byway offers an impressive view at the Kiger Gorge Overlook.
One of the most photographed places in Oregon, Kiger Gorge is a massive, 6,500-foot wide, U-shaped valley. This 2,000-foot canyon is a truly profound natural wonder.
The Steens Mountain Loop Road is easily the best way to experience Oregon's rapturous high desert region.
The byway is also a lesson in the juxtaposition of Oregon landscape; while the start of the loop is in the arid desert where triple-digit temperatures aren't uncommon, it ends in the snow-capped mountains at a breathtaking 5,000 feet in elevation.
