The Oregon Badlands is a BLM Wilderness area designated by President Obama in 2009. About 30 minutes east of Bend, it offers hiking in the often harsh desert environment, along with beautiful wildflowers, fascinating volcanic rock formations, wildlife, and scarce signs of the area’s history as cattle grazing land. This loop goes by both Flatiron and Badlands rocks.
Although travel in this terrain can be done exclusively on trail, the terrain can easily turn someone around and if you step off trail it could be very difficult to find it again. Have a map and the ability to read it. I had a signal on my phone via Verizon on about 90% of this loop. The terrain is mostly flat, with the ability to explore interesting rock piles along the way. The loop is off-leash dog friendly.
Style:
A loop dayhike through relatively flat high desert terrain.
Distance:
8.9 mile loop
Elevation Gain:
+/- 400 ft
Trailhead and Permit Notes:
As a BLM managed wilderness there are very few permits required for standard recreational use. You can hike, camp, explore, and photograph without permit (within limits – commercial uses differ from personal recreation).
This hike is best done in spring or fall since it can get very hot and exposed in the summer. Depending on the winter snow conditions, this can be a nice hike alternate to get outdoors if you don’t have snow gear or want to drive in the snowy mountains
Camping Tips:
There are no formal campgrounds in the Oregon Badlands, but backpacking is allowed. You’ll need to carry all of your water and make sure to follow fire regulations. There are interesting places to camp near all of the rock formations.
Resources:
Useful Guides and Gear:
