Steens Mountain Wilderness

The United States Congress designated the Steens Mountain Wilderness in 2000 and it now has over a total of 170,166 acres. All of this wilderness is located in Oregon and is managed by the Bureau of Land Management. Steens Mountain is located in Oregon's high desert is one of the crown jewels of the state's wildlands. It is some of the wildest and most remote land left in Oregon.

The Bureau of Land Management's National Conservation Lands, also known as the National Landscape Conservation System, contain some of the West's most spectacular landscapes. It includes over 886 federally recognized areas and approximately 27 million acres that include Wilderness areas.

With the passage of the Omnibus Public Land Act in March 2009, the BLM now manages eight Wilderness Areas across nearly 247,000 acres in Oregon. The BLM also manages one Wilderness Area in Washington covering 7,142 acres. In addition, the BLM currently protects wilderness values on 82 Wilderness Study Areas (WSA) and five Instant Study Areas in Oregon totaling more than 2.6 million acres and one WSA in Washington totaling 5,557 acres.

Wilderness is Congressionally-designated piece land that is managed in accordance with the Wilderness Act of 1964 to "...secure for the American people of present and future generations the benefits of an enduring resource of wilderness." Wilderness areas are places where natural processes take precedent; areas managed so that nature remains substantially unchanged by human use. Rugged trails provide the only access into wilderness, and travel is restricted to foot or horseback.

This map will allow you to plan your trip, navigate the wilderness, and enjoy its solitude and splendor. Before you head out to this area be sure you know how to use a map and compass.

To learn a little more about map and compass navigation check out our video on YouTube:

   • How To Read A Map  

Video: Michael Campbell and Jacob Holden, BLM.