Oregon Desert Trail Backpacking and Thru-Hiking Guide

Distance: 750 miles (mileage varies depending on route alternatives)

Time to hike the entire trail: 5 - 7 weeks

Elevation gain:  72,000’

Elevation loss: 73,500’

High Point: 9,570’ (Steens Mountain)

Low Point: 2,664’ (Owyhee Reservoir)

Best season: Spring or Fall

Permits: A backcountry camping permit for the Hart Mountain Antelope Refuge is required if you camp outside an established camping area.

Difficulty: Strenuous

Continue reading to learn more, written by Mike Unger & Naomi Hudetz.

LAST UPDATED

November 1, 2024

Written by
Photo thumbnail Blog Author

Mike Unger & Naomi Hudetz

Contributing Writers

Mike Unger & Naomi Hudetz are contributing writers.

Explore More Content

Media Mentions

Sawyer’s donation of water filters represents a significant shift away from the cumbersome logistics of bottled water, offering a faster and more efficient solution.

John Dicuollo
Public Relations Director at Backbone Media

Media Mentions

Summer tick season used to be a problem only in the southern part of Ontario, but tick populations are moving north as the climate grows warmer.

TVO Today
Media Mentions from TVO Today

Media Mentions

Mosquitos are nasty creatures. They bite, they transmit terrible diseases to people and pets, and from what I read, they have absolutely no redeeming value in the ecosystem.

ArcaMax
Media Mentions from ArcaMax