Once funded by a consortium of universities as a research station, the station is now an independent foundation dependent on grants, donations and charges for its services. It provides housing, conference facilities and some classes for groups who are doing research, hunting or fishing or touring the Malheur Wildlife Management Area - Steens Mountain and surrounding area.
I stayed there as part of a bird photography excursion sponsored by the Klamath Bird Observatory in late April. We were lodged in a duplex with beds, living rooms, kitchens and bathrooms. The only items we had to bring were bedding/sleeping bags, towels and food. The units are old but clean.
The setting is a few miles from the Malheur Wildlife HQ on flat sandy ground covered in sage brush with a couple of small cinder cones nearby. There is a small but well stocked book/gift store and about 3 miles away is a gas station/café/saloon/market/RV park.
The Station is isolated; at night all we heard were the wind and an owl; the sky was full of stars. (Astronomy buffs also come here.)
The wildlife viewing opportunities are fantastic: over 120 bird species rmigrate through the area; plus you can see the residents that include golden eagles, sage grouse, ravens, prairie falcons, harriers, Am. coots (of course) and many other birds. There are antelope, mule deer, coyotes, rabbits, ground squirrels, wild horse herds and other mammals and reptiles in the area, and streams and lakes for fishing.
If you want to experience the outdoors where there are very few other people but lots of wildlife and exceptional scenery, Malheur is ideal.
(If you don't want to cook dinner see the reviews for Diamond Hotel--its about 45 min. away from the station.) read more