What to See and Do
Hiking and Biking
Big Indian Gorge
Big Indian Gorge is one of the most spectacular canyons within the Steens Mountain wilderness. This dog-friendly trail starts 1.9 miles below the wide-open sky on an old road. It's mainly used for camping, hiking, backpacking, and nature trips. Travelers can best use this trail from June to October.
Length: 16.9 miles
Intensity: Difficult
Pike Creek Canyon
This out-and-back route is situated near Fields, OR and offers a chance to view wildlife. Dogs are allowed on this hiking trail, but you need to keep them on a leash at all times.
Length: 5.59 miles
Intensity: Difficult
Wildhorse Lake Trail
Located below the Steens Mountain summit near Frenchglen, this hike scrambles down a winding trail into a big basin full of wildflowers. Although the moderately trafficked trail is rough and remote, it's well-defined and pretty easy to follow.
Length: 2.48 miles
Intensity: Moderate
Kiger Gorge Overlook
This lightly trafficked trail is located near Frenchglen. It's mainly used for hiking and is ideal for all skill levels.
Length: 0.2 mile
Intensity: Easy
Fishing
Fishing is incredibly popular at the Donner ünd Blitzen River and in several lakes such as Fish Lake. You'll find a variety of trout at this BLM site, with red band trout being the most prominent. The fishing experience may be hit or miss at times, but if you're not getting some bites, you can head upstream, where you can find several remote fishing spots.
Wildlife Viewing
The trees and rich vegetation along the rivers and lakes within the Steens Mountain Wilderness provide a good habitat for many types of wild animals. Travelers with a keen eye can watch for coyotes, bighorn sheep, pronghorn, deer, and Rocky Mountain elk. Bird-watchers can also spot a variety of avian species including hawks, eagles, and sage grouse.
Picnicking
Steens Mountain Wilderness has several picnic areas where you can relax and enjoy the breathtaking scenery. Each campsite in South Steens Campground offers a grill and picnic table. You can also head to Page Springs Campground, where you'll find a well-covered picnic site available for day use.
Hunting
Visitors can pursue various hunting opportunities throughout the fall. The Steens Mountain area is part of Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife Unit 69, and hunting enthusiasts commonly seek deer and elk in the wilderness area. Management allows tags during hunting, but always keep an eye out for equestrians and hikers that might be passing by.
Snowshoeing and Skiing
Once snow covers Steens Mountain, visitors can find many cross-country and snowshoeing opportunities throughout the site. The available trails provide many hours of exploration and fun on the snow-covered mountain. However, it's wise to watch out for wildlife tracks since some wild animals are also winter residents.