Desert to Dunes

DESERTS | Great Basin Desert | Oregon High Desert | Alvord Desert

Great Basin Desert

The Great Basin Desert covers much of eastern Oregon and stretches from the Sierra Nevada in the west to the Rocky Mountains in the east. It’s characterized by a high desert climate with sagebrush steppe, salt flats, and alkaline lakes. It includes notable areas such as the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, which is a haven for birdwatching and wildlife, and Crane Prairie, a high desert lake.

Oregon High Desert

Consisting of: Central and Eastern Oregon, especially around Bend, Redmond, and Prineville. Smith Rock State Park: Known for its towering volcanic rock formations and hiking opportunities.

• Newberry Crater: A volcanic caldera that holds Paulina Lake and East Lake, surrounded by desert terrain.

• The Cascade Mountains: While not a desert, they form a stark contrast to the high desert landscape, offering great opportunities for outdoor exploration.

The Alvord Desert is an expansive dry lakebed surrounded by the Steens Mountains to the east. It’s a remote, flat desert, often used for land-speed racing and featuring a large, dry salt pan. The desert's starkness is heightened by the surrounding mountain ranges and its sparse vegetation.

Deschutes River - Maupin - Bend Oregon