Steens Mountain — Page Springs Campground

Page Springs is the go-to launch pad for Steens Mountain, sitting at the canyon mouth of the Donner und Blitzen River just outside Frenchglen. The Blitzen runs clear and cold right through camp — you can hear it from your bag. Cottonwood canopy gives genuine shade in a landscape that otherwise offers none, and the combination of water, shade, and a paved-ish road in makes this one of the more comfortable BLM camps in southeastern Oregon. About 36 sites, vault toilets, no hookups. Fire rings at every site. It earns its fans hard during the spring bird migration when the Malheur NWR crowds show up, and again in fall bow season.

Access via OR-205 south from Burns to Frenchglen, then 3.5 miles on a gravel road — manageable in any rig. Water from the river is available but treat it; no potable tap water on site. BLM Burns District. 14-day stay limit, no reservation. Year-round access weather permitting, but the Steens summit road closes in winter.

Cottonwood shade and river sound on the Steens.