It cracks me up how many states have locations within them called the Badlands. Everyone wants a place on the map that sounds like a movie was filmed there. That being said, this is a simple to find, ease at parking, flat trailed hiking area in the Oregon high desert. When you live in Oregon, chances are you live west of the Cascade range, so you get real tired of seeing nothing but dense green trees. Amazing to visitors, but monotonous to people residing here. So heading east of the Cascade range, it is a new unique perspective to see desert land, and then realizing about 2/3rs of the state is actually desert in itself. There are multiple trails, and unlike some comments, we found it pretty well marked. Elevation change is negligible, but you are at about 3500 feet. If you come from sea level this will feel a bit different. Numerous old junipers and rock formations make for a nice change of scenery. Take water and a compass; you shouldnt find it difficult to find your way back even if you get off on the wrong trail.
Peace and tranquility at its finest, and the stars at night are absolutely brilliant.
Super easy hike..bring a hat ..no shade.
Great location for solitude, a little night sky viewing. There is a view of Bachelor and others. Rangers are helpful.You will find the occasional rift raft and homeless campers, but for the most part it has been empty.Some garbage around the rock piles in the gravel area.Ranger told us we can camp in the gravel area or just behind it but not over in the Dry River area. Rangers appear to come by twice a day.Verizon mifi gets 3 bars over by the gravel near road and 2 bars behind it in the juniper tree area.Definitely some snakes and coyotes about.Walk the road you plan to drive as there are sharp bones (spinal) and glass about, and some spots around trees are pure sand sinks. Please pick up what you find! Keep it clean and safe.
Very easy for any sized RV or trailer gravel and also spits in back among trees too .some with views of creek canyon
Alot of beautiful morning skies just East of Bend
If you want to keep your scalp, I recommend you keep driving. The indigenous don’t take kindly to outsiders. If you’re lucky enough to avoid the sadistic savages, the place is riddled with rattlesnakes and steep cliffs. AVOID
Great place to find solitude and explore.
Fun trails
Stay out. This place is hardcore. BADLANDS. Seriously, I doubt you can survive.