For some reason I've always thought that in the Steens Mt recreation area, (which is a little different than "regular" BLM land) camping is limited to designated campgrounds only. But on the BLM site, Burns District, Steens Mt, they mention camping but say nothing about "designated campgrounds only" in that area. Years ago I parked/camped at the summit parking area overnight and "got away with it"...but maybe it was legal?
(From the parking area I dragged my sleeping bag/bivi-sak up to the summit and slept among the radio towers. Fantastic huge morning view!)
This evening I sent the Burns District BLM an e-mail asking about Steens Mt. camping regs, so I expect they'll let me know.
I got an e-mail response from BLM this morning:
Yes, dispersed/primitive camping is allowed anywhere there is no specific areas or restricted areas.
But when you ask about car camping........we don't allow car camping at any of the gorge's parking areas (summit parking area). But one can park there overnight(s) and hike then camp at the radio towers is OK. The parking areas are small so we don't promote car camping within the parking areas. You can (dispersed) car camp in a lot of other spots on the Steens Mountain, but there isn't any spot on the summit I would recommend.
So...for many years I've been wrong about where I could camp up there! Years of missed opportunities! Oh well...live and learn.
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Mark, will you also do my job for me and ask them if the entire loop road will be open this year at all due to construction?
So I replied to Eric Haakenson with the question about "when/if Steens Loop Road will be completely open", and got a quick response:
Mark
The North Steens Loop Road is now open to the summit. The South Steens Loop Road is closed still for road maintenance....we hoped to have the south loop open by the end of the middle to end of the month.