Hart Mountain is about as remote as you can get in Oregon. And that's a good thing, as it sports…read moreone of the few spots left that you can find pronghorn antelope running wild through the prairies. It's pretty damn amazing, if you ask me. Getting to Hart Mountain is a trek. We started out in Lakeview and headed northeast through Plush, then off across a wetlands and on to Hart Mountain Road. There's a point at which the pavement stops and the preserve begins. This marks your steep uphill traverse onto the plateau and into the grassland that is home for the roving herds of pronghorn. The main road cuts through the preserve and dead center is a small set of buildings housing research and park offices. You can continue on out the other side of the preserve, and it's a long, long trek to get out to any sort of pavement again. Keep your eyes peeled as you cruise down Hart Mountain to Frenchman road. We spotted a couple of different herds of antelope grazing out in the grasses, one near a small lake off a slight spur from the road. We were only able to get within about 100 yards of the antelope before they got skittish and bounced out (literally). But with good specs (protip, bring something with an optical zoom lens) you can see some cool stuff. There's really not much going on here, but if you have time on your hands and like seeing wildlife in its natural habitat, then this is a fine place to visit.

Hart Mountain National Antelope Refuge is a treasure, and a bit of a surprise if you're not…read moreexpecting it. I drove through here on my way to Steens Mountain years ago and while Steens is undeniably dramatic, Hart NAR was no less amazing. Not expecting much between Lakeview and Frenchglen I was shocked to see the dramatic rise from Plush to the top of Hart Mountain as I approached from the Southwest. Hart was not my main destination so I had to drive through but even that simple drive was really breathtaking. Lots of antelope crossing the road to the N past the HQ. The smell of sage brush everywhere. I've been planning a return trip for years now! I make maps for a living and Hart turned into a small obsession for me. The result was a detailed digital mobile map, mostly for my use later, but also available online for anyone else who may want a mobile map of Hart NAR: https://www.avenzamaps.com/maps/68/ A word of caution, the main road is all washboard and can be pretty rough. Take is slow and air down your tires if you can. On my return home I pressed through a little fast without reducing air pressure and blew out a rear tire on my new to me FJ60. It was only then that I discovered that wheel had two different size lug nuts and I only had the wrench for one size! I limped over to the Hart Mountain NAR HQ (a grueling slow speed drive), where the staff were amazing and very helpful! Can't wait to go back, will drive slower next time!

Playground area, 4 regular swings, 1 accessible swing, 3 toddler swings, bathrooms/showers(?),…read moresplash water park behind bathroom building. Metal slides. No shade on playground in afternoon. BBQ grills, plenty picnic tables. Large grassy area. Basketball courts. Volleyball courts. CLOSED on MONDAYS.

I've been to where lava flows were before but never have I walked/climbed through where lava tubes…read moreactually are before. This was definitely an experience if you haven't done it! $15.00-25.00 to bring your horse, bicycle, motorcycle cycle, car or RV into the park. Doesn't matter how warm outside as the caves are cool to freezing with ice depending on which cave and how far down it goes. Headlamps/flashlights are needed but headlamps easiest so you can use both your hands. The fantastic Park Rangers will not only give you expert advice on what caves are best suited for you but the history about this amazing park. Skull Cave before you get to the visitors center was my first cave. After descending the short rock staircase then a rock floor then to a metal landing and down the metal staircase lower and lower into the cold dark earth. At the bottom is a Skull, bones and ice. The hand rails were freezing. Wish I would have brought my gloves. The visitors center can help with what caves are where and offer helmets, flashlights and other needs via borrow, rent or buy. Closed shoes, knee pads, etc for tight caves recommended. The others I tried weren't near that cold but still really incredible in different ways. To see all the melting of rock and burn scars through these tubes is spectacular. Our earth is alive and so amazing. There are some bathrooms at some of the sites but not all so take advantage. Also, make sure to wear clothing you've never worn in other caves. Transfer of biologicals is real and could very negatively effect the bats in here. An awe experience and I highly recommend it. Some spaces also might be a bit small in case you're claustrophobic. Many are not tight but pitch black. Better than any Halloween haunted house with the creep jumping out at you. A park experience not to miss!

One of the most underrated national parks in the country. You owe it to yourself to visit Lava…read more Beds National Monument at least once in your life! There are many lava tubes that are for all difficulties and they are all mostly along the road loop around the park or a short trail walk away. Some are easy to walk through upright all the way to those you have to crawl through requiring gear. Certain tubes can be closed seasonally to protect the bats that both migrate and hibernate there, so be sure to check with the park before you go if there is a specific one you would like to visit. The campgrounds are first come first serve except for the large group sites that can be reserved online, and the restrooms are decently kept with water refill stations outside. Overall a great experience, would highly recommend!

We really loved this wild life refuge! They have an auto tour where you can see a lot of birds,…read moredeer, and more. I would like to return at a better time of year and preferably at sunset. It would be even better. We were there mid-day in 90+ degree summer weather. We enjoyed seeing geese, Sand Hill Cranes, sea gulls, ducks, and deer. You can also hike on a trail and just sit and watch, but it was too hot for us yesterday. You can enjoy all of this for no charge.

Great wildlife refuge located just outside of downtown Alturas. It is one of the most productive…read morewildlife refuges I have been to for waterfowl. There is a nice auto tour and visitor center but only one main trail for hiking.

A nice little community park. A good place for la picnic or a family gathering. We've had a couple…read moreof lunches here on road trips through the area.

Rolling through South Oregon down long winding road you start to get numb to the environment. You…read morecome up over the hill and encounter a great birding spot. Watch for the river otters peeking up out of the grass along the roadside.

I love the little park in Merrill. I played there as a child and it is still the same fenced park…read more I have taken my children there and now my grandchildren. Thank you for maintaining it all these years!

Love the Tule Lake area. Lots of birds, beautiful marshes…read more Coots, egrets, Canada Geese, Mallards and cinnamon teal, red winged blackbirds. Nice little stop after visiting Lava Beds National Park

The visitor center relocated to the original site of the Tulelake Segregation Center at 44340 Hwy…read more139 in the town of Newell. Initially we went to the old address at the fairgrounds 7 miles away in Tulelake. But once we figured it out we went to the new visitor center. The ranger said it's been two years since they relocated. All the original barracks comprised of the Japanese internment camp are gone with the exception of the concrete jailhouse. The ranger said the barracks were sold and repurposed by the townsfolk of Newell. Still it's a somber reminder of the social injustice to the Japanese American people. While we were there we saw a ranger led tour which includes a tour of the jail. I had attempted to book a tour but couldn't figure out the logistics. My bad. You can get a National Park stamp for your passbook here. Otherwise you can get the stamp at Lava Beds National Monument.

Warner Wetlands is a terminal basin that lies along the western edge of the Hart Mountain plateau…read morearea, just outside of the Antelope and Wildlife Preserve. You pass by it on your way into Hart Mountain. There are a series of seasonal, vernal wetlands that host an interesting array of wildlife and grasslands down here. From my understanding the seasons determine condition of the lakes and what types of recreation is available. When we rolled through, during a record dry, warm year, there wasn't much to the lake area itself, however you can tell the wildlife thrive here among the reeds and rushes. This is desolate, remote land, and the sea of bright green that marks this basin stands out like an oasis amongst the brown and gray scrub of the sage. There's a small parking lot, pit toilets, and a little interpretive center here. Unmanned. You can get a decent feel for some of the wildlife that call this area home in just a short visit. It's also a good place to empty your tank, so to speak, before the long, service-less drive through Hart Mountain Refuge. I wouldn't call this a destination spot, however I'm guessing that in seasons with more water, there's a lot of action down here. Birds, antelope, and other high desert dwellers must stop through in droves. But even in dry season, it still has an oasis-like charm to it. Pretty shades of green, untouched grasses, and lots of open space.