Lonesome Highway — Steens Mountain Loop Road via Kiger Gorge Overlook and Blitzen Valley
Oregon's highest drive, wild horses included.
The Steens Mountain Loop Road out of Frenchglen is one of those routes that earns its reputation every single mile. From the tiny BLM outpost at Frenchglen, the gravel track climbs nearly 5,000 vertical feet in roughly 25 miles to the East Rim Viewpoint — a sheer 3,000-foot drop into the Alvord Desert basin below. Kiger Gorge, carved by Pleistocene glaciers into a near-perfect U-shaped valley, stops people dead in their tracks. The Kiger mustang herd, one of the most genetically pure Spanish mustang bloodlines in the country, roams the mesa just below the summit ridge. On the way down the west side, the road drops through Big Indian Gorge and back to the valley floor through sagebrush and riparian willow.
This is a high-clearance gravel route — not extreme, but the upper loop above 8,000 feet gets rocky and eroded, and the road is dirt/gravel throughout with no pavement above Frenchglen. Stock high-clearance 2WD can make it in dry conditions, but 4WD is the safe call. The loop is typically open late June through October; snow closes the summit often into July. No fuel above Frenchglen — fill up in Burns, 60 miles north. Dispersed camping is available throughout; Page Springs Campground at the base has water. Cell service is nonexistent on the mountain.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | High Clearance, Overland Route, Scenic Drive |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel |
| Features | Camping, High Altitude, Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 66 mi / 106.2 km |
| Duration | 1-2 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 9733 ft |
| Best season | July-October |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 4WD recommended |
| Nearest town | Frenchglen, OR |
| Land manager | Bureau of Land Management — Burns District |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | No |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | BLM Steens Mountain Loop Road |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock 4Runner or Tacoma handle Steens Mountain Loop Road without modifications?
Yes, a stock high-clearance 4WD like a 4Runner or Tacoma is fine for normal summer conditions. The road is graded gravel and dirt — nothing technical — but low-clearance vehicles like sedans or standard SUVs will bottom out on the rougher sections near the rim.
When does the Steens Mountain Loop Road actually open and close each year?
Typically opens in late June or early July depending on snowpack, and closes by late October or first hard snow. The upper sections near the 9,733-foot rim can get snow any month — check with BLM Burns District before you go, especially shoulder season.
Do I need a permit to drive or camp on the Steens Mountain Loop Road?
No permit required to drive the loop. Dispersed camping on BLM land is free with a 14-day stay limit. Page Springs, Fish Lake, and Jackman Park campgrounds charge a small nightly fee if you want developed sites.
What's the hardest section of the loop and what should I actually expect?
The stretch near Kiger Gorge Overlook and the East Rim is the most exposed and can have loose gravel with significant drop-offs on narrow sections. It's not technically difficult, but it demands attention — especially if it's wet or you're in a wider rig. Wind up top can be brutal and unpredictable.
How far is the nearest gas station, and is there any water on the route?
Frenchglen has no gas station — the nearest fuel is in Burns, roughly 60 miles north. Fill up there before heading out. Water is available at developed campgrounds like Page Springs, but carry extra — there's zero cell service on the entire loop and the nearest help is a long way off.
Trail track
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