Burns is a small city of fewer than 3,000 people. Its beginnings harken back to its Native American roots when tribes took advantage of the nearby lakes and streams. In the early 19th century, Americans discovered the region to be ideal for cattle ranching. Several ranches developed throughout the area, making use of the Silvies River and artesian wells that supply ample water.
The spread of Oregon’s highway system brought Burns business from outside the immediate area. Travelers looking to explore the high desert of Eastern Oregon, Steens Mountain, Silvies River or the lakes in the area found a burgeoning hospitality industry. Restaurants offering various cuisines began to appear, such as:
Hilander Restaurant. Located in the heart of Burns, this dining establishment offers a mix of Chinese and American foods. The best offerings are at the food line, where you can take a plate and fill it with whatever you want.
The Pine Room. This place specializes in sandwiches and burgers. The restaurant creates sandwiches, like its prime rib sandwich and Wayne burger, from fresh produce with freshly cooked meats.
Elkhorn Club & Linda’s Thai Room. When visiting this restaurant, plan to set some time aside. Each order is handmade, crafted with the finest fresh produce and cooked in authentic Thai curry made from scratch at the time of the order.
Camping in a trailer near Burns is a treat all by itself. Though the community is small, it offers a variety of amenities for travelers as well as a dazzling night sky. The region is rich with explorable areas, such as Steens Mountain, Lake Malheur and several wildlife refuges.
Beer and Brats Music and Street Fair - This upcoming event features six live music acts, three days of food cart competitions, a lineup of art displays and extensive play areas for children.
High Desert Fiddlers Country Music Jamboree - The upcoming fiddling jamboree celebrates the art of creating, playing and dancing to fiddles. Taking place in the Harney County Fairgrounds, this open-air event includes music, food trucks and games for children.
Harney County Fair and Rodeos - The entire city of Burns takes part in this event. Parades wander through the town with food trucks cooking tasty treats.
The greatest park in Oregon is Crater Lake National Park, located 266 miles southeast of Burns. The park features a huge caldera filled with water. The long climb up the side of Mount Mazama to reach the caldera runs through ancient lava beds, alongside majestic rock outcrops and through old-growth forests.
Lassen Volcanic National Park is over 400 miles southwest of Burns. The park is a geologist’s dream with massive lava beds, steaming mud pits and periodic geysers. There is an incredible array of sports in the winter, including downhill skiing, cross-country skiing and snowboarding.
Redwood National Park, located 420 miles southwest of Burns, features the largest redwood forest worldwide. These protected trees inspire a sense of awe in global travelers. Nearly 45 percent of all the remaining coastal redwoods in the world are at this 139,000-acre park.
Located 130 miles west of Burns, Tumalo State Park features miles of hiking, biking and horseback riding trails. The park sits beside the Deschutes River, where kids and adults can swim, boat, canoe, kayak and fish.
Located 150 miles west of Burns is LaPine State Park. The park lies alongside a rushing section of the Deschutes River. Oregonians visit this park year-round for incredible trout fishing and the trail systems during the summer and cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and snowmobiling in the winter.
Located 165 miles northwest of Burns, The Cove Palisades State Park is situated beside Lake Billy Chinook, a reservoir created by the damming of the Deschutes, Metolius and Crooked Rivers. Anglers flock to this park to take part in the incredible fishing. Trails for hikers, bikers and horseback riders wander throughout the park and into the Deschutes National Forest.
While staying in Burns, drive about 80 miles north to see the Cedar Grove Botanical Area. The Alaskan yellow cedars growing in these 26 acres are the only known group of such trees east of the Cascade Mountains. The abundance of springs and dense groupings of ferns supply great soil for these trees that need a moist area to sprout and survive.
The Harney County Historical Museum, located in Burns, is a treasure trove of artifacts, stories of the Old West, and family mementos that every visitor to the area should see. At this museum, there are period room displays, archaeological exhibits, authentic pioneer wagons, a real stagecoach and period clothing, all donated by families in the area.
The Diamond Craters Recreation Management is located just five miles south of Burns. The site contains hundreds of volcanic features, including blast craters (one of which is water-filled), small calderas and unusual lava flow formations.
Crystal Crane Hot Springs Campground, located in Burns, provides 10 RV campsites with full hookups and a choice of 30- or 50-amp electrical service. All RV sites are paved, with ample space to set up any slide-outs a rig may have. Visitors have access to the hot springs, either inside an enclosure or on the open pond under an amazing night sky.
Bend/Sisters Garden RV Resort, located 154 miles northwest of Burns, features 105 full hookup sites on paved pads. The resort provides free WiFi service and cable TV, and guests are welcome to use the heated pool, hot tubs, mini-golf course, and camp store.
Located 194 miles northeast of Burns, Grande Hot Springs RV Resort offers 96 gravel pad pull-through RV spaces with full hookups. Every site is 30 feet in width and up to 90 feet in length. The resort provides a heated swimming pool, hot tub, restrooms with flush toilets, hot showers, a laundry facility, and a self-operated RV wash.
Motorhomes are divided into Class A, B, and C vehicles. On average expect to pay $185 per night for Class A, $149 per night for Class B and $179 per night for Class C. Towable RVs include 5th Wheel, Travel Trailers, Popups, and Toy Hauler. On average, in Burns, OR, the 5th Wheel trailer starts at $70 per night. Pricing for the Travel Trailer begins at $60 per night, and the Popup Trailer starts at $65 per night.
Do you need to be a certain age to rent an RV in Burns?Yes. The minimum age is 25 to be eligible to get an RV Rental in Burns from RVshare.
Does RVshare have emergency roadside assistance?Yes. Every RV rental booked through RVshare receives 24/7 emergency roadside assistance.
Does RVshare offer one way RV rentals in Burns?Yes. Prior to renting any RV, check with the owner since not all will offer this particular option.
