Lakeview to Steens Backcountry, Hard 4x4 trail in Lakeview, OR
    Hard
    Overlanding
    4.6

    Lakeview to Steens Backcountry

    Lakeview, ORNorthwest

    Lakeview to Steens Backcountry is a hard 200+ miles off-road trail near Lakeview, OR. It requires a properly built 4x4 with 33"+ all-terrain tires, 4WD with low range, Recovery straps and is best run June - October. Stock trucks and Jeeps are not recommended; plan on the required modifications before attempting it.

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    The Lakeview to Steens Backcountry route is one of the great multi-day overlanding adventures in the American West. Crossing nearly 200 miles of high desert via BLM roads, the route traverses vast sagebrush steppe, passes through the Hart Mountain Antelope Refuge, and eventually reaches the dramatic Steens Mountain. This is genuine expedition-style overlanding that requires total self-sufficiency,there are no services, no cell coverage, and very few other travelers.

    Fun Facts

    #1

    This route crosses some of the most sparsely populated land in the lower 48 states.

    #2

    The Oregon Outback (as locals call it) covers an area larger than many eastern states.

    #3

    Pronghorn antelope here outnumber human residents by a significant margin.

    Length
    200+ miles
    Elevation
    4,500 - 8,000 ft
    Best Season
    June - October
    Permit
    Not Required
    Multi-day routeHigh desertTotal isolationBLM roadsSelf-sufficient

    🛞 Tires

    required
    33"+ all-terrain tires

    🔧 Suspension

    recommended
    3" lift kit

    ⚙️ Drivetrain

    required
    4WD with low range

    🪢 Recovery

    required
    Recovery straps
    recommended
    Winch

    🛡️ Protection

    required
    Skid plates

    📦 Other

    required
    Extra fuel (10+ gallons)
    No fuel for 150+ miles
    required
    Satellite communicator
    Zero cell service
    1
    Lakeview Start
    42.1876, -120.3456
    2
    Hart Mountain Junction
    42.5234, -119.6543
    3
    Steens Mountain Access
    42.8234, -118.9345

    Where to Camp

    GPS Coordinates

    42.2456, -119.8765

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    Map of Lakeview, OR

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