Alvord Desert
Alvord Desert is a vast endorheic basin in Harney County, Oregon, known for its broad salt flats and occasional dry lakebed that emerges after snowmelt. It's a popular site for remote camping, off-road driving, and stargazing when conditions are clear — and access can be seasonal and weather-dependent.
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Geography
| Continent | North America |
|---|---|
| Region | Pacific Northwest |
| Subregion | Western United States |
| Country | United States |
| State | Oregon |
| County | Harney County |
| District | Alvord Basin |
| Timezone | AmericaLos Angeles |
| Latitude | 43.95 |
| Longitude | -118.8 |
| Maps |
11:54 AM LOCAL TIMEAlvord Desert is a remote basin in Harney County, Oregon, draining into an isolated endorheic planform with wide salt flats and a shallow playa. The surface is primarily alkaline minerals, impassable when muddy or after rain; usual access is via dirt frontage roads. In summer and early fall, the basin often dries to reveal vast, hard-packed surfaces ideal for cycling, overlanding, and light aircraft landing; beneath the flats, shallow groundwater can emerge as fleeting wetlands after spring runoff. The surrounding landscape features sage-steppe plateaus, volcanic cone skylines (notably Likii Butte to the southwest), and occasional geothermal activity. The desert is sparsely visited and offers primitive remote camping, but weather, snowpack, and state access regulations significantly impact travel plans — check current conditions before visiting.
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