Lakeview to Glass Buttes — High Desert Obsidian Country Road
Obsidian hills, sage desert, and zero crowds.
Glass Buttes rise out of the Oregon high desert plateau between Lakeview and Burns like a volcanic afterthought — two rounded shields of obsidian-studded rhyolite sitting alone in a sea of sage and rabbit brush. The route north from Lakeview on US-395 connects to BLM back roads that swing east toward the buttes across classic Oregon outback: long straight gravel runs with dust clouds you can watch for ten miles, dry lake playas shimmering in heat, and absolutely no services between here and nowhere. The buttes themselves are a rockhound’s obsession — rainbow obsidian, mahogany obsidian, black volcanic glass scattered across the hillsides like nature was showing off. You can legally collect up to 25 pounds per person per day.
This is an easy to moderate route — the gravel roads are well-graded but washboarded and can develop soft shoulders after rain. A stock 2WD truck can handle most of this in dry conditions, but high clearance opens up the spur roads around the buttes themselves. Best season is May through October; winter snow closes access roads without warning. Carry your own water — there’s nothing out here. Burns or Lakeview are your fuel stops, both roughly 50 miles out. Dispersed camping is permitted on BLM land around the buttes. No permit, no fee, no cell service worth mentioning.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Easy |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | High Clearance, Overland Route, Scenic Drive |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 62 mi / 99.8 km |
| Duration | 1-2 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 6385 ft |
| Best season | May-October |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 2WD or 4WD recommended |
| Nearest town | Burns, Oregon |
| Land manager | Bureau of Land Management — Burns District Office |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | No |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | blm.gov |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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| Find on Google | Search on Google → |
Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Tacoma or 4Runner handle this trail without modifications?
Yes. The trail is rated easy and runs on dirt and gravel roads — a stock high-clearance 2WD truck can manage it in dry conditions. 4WD isn't required but adds a margin of safety on loose gravel sections.
When does this route typically open and close each year?
May through October is the reliable window. High desert snow and mud can make the route sketchy or impassable in early spring and late fall — check conditions with the BLM Burns District Office before heading out outside peak season.
Do I need a permit to drive the route or collect obsidian at Glass Buttes?
No permit is required to drive the route. At Glass Buttes, BLM allows casual rock collecting — up to 25 pounds of obsidian per day for personal use at no cost. No commercial collecting without a permit.
What's the hardest section of this trail and what should I actually expect?
Nothing on this route will test your rig seriously — it's a remote gravel and dirt road, not a technical obstacle course. The bigger concern is isolation: 62 miles of high desert with zero cell service means a flat tire or mechanical issue is your problem to solve alone.
How much fuel do I need, and is there water along the route?
Top off in Lakeview before you leave — there are no services along the 62-mile route, and Burns is your next reliable fuel stop at the other end. Carry all your water; there are no guaranteed water sources on this stretch of high desert.
Trail track
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