Oregon Badlands Wilderness Trails
Oregon Badlands Wilderness Trails
4.5
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Chowa-Rides-Again
Bend, OR1,990 contributions
Jan 2014 • Friends
Just sixteen miles East of Bend, Oregon is an amazing geologic area with castle-like rock formations, harsh rugged terrain, ancient Juniper trees, sagebrush, dry river canyon, and Native American pictographs.
There are several trailheads that lead into the area. One of the most popular is Flatiron Trailhead at milepost 16 along Hwy 20. This trail is popular with families, hikers and dog lovers offers both short (1-2 mile) and longer (5+ mile) hikes through the High Desert and surrounding lava formations, culminating at Flat Iron Rock. Another Trailhead at Mile Post 18 along Hwy 20 Southeast of Bend is the Badlands Rock Trailhead. This trailhead is also popular with horseback riders, hikers and families with dogs. The soft trail leads out to views of the Cascade Mountains, more unusual rock formations, sagebrush and continues north even after arriving at the Badlands Rock (6 miles roundtrip), and is a great place to hike winter or summer.
The BLM designated the Oregon Badlands a wilderness study area in 1980. This area is home to a variety of birds including falcons, owls, as well as herds of deer, elk and packs of coyotes. In 2005, when the BLM banned OHVs from the Badlands. Previously ranch owners had permits to allow their cattle to graze in the area, but those permits were retired in 2010. Federal Wilderness designation was officially granted on 30 March 2009, and as such wheeled vehicles including mountain bikes are prohibited in the area.
Other trailheads accessing the Oregon Badlands Wilderness include: Obernolte trailhead; Reynolds Pond trailhead and County line trailhead.
There are several trailheads that lead into the area. One of the most popular is Flatiron Trailhead at milepost 16 along Hwy 20. This trail is popular with families, hikers and dog lovers offers both short (1-2 mile) and longer (5+ mile) hikes through the High Desert and surrounding lava formations, culminating at Flat Iron Rock. Another Trailhead at Mile Post 18 along Hwy 20 Southeast of Bend is the Badlands Rock Trailhead. This trailhead is also popular with horseback riders, hikers and families with dogs. The soft trail leads out to views of the Cascade Mountains, more unusual rock formations, sagebrush and continues north even after arriving at the Badlands Rock (6 miles roundtrip), and is a great place to hike winter or summer.
The BLM designated the Oregon Badlands a wilderness study area in 1980. This area is home to a variety of birds including falcons, owls, as well as herds of deer, elk and packs of coyotes. In 2005, when the BLM banned OHVs from the Badlands. Previously ranch owners had permits to allow their cattle to graze in the area, but those permits were retired in 2010. Federal Wilderness designation was officially granted on 30 March 2009, and as such wheeled vehicles including mountain bikes are prohibited in the area.
Other trailheads accessing the Oregon Badlands Wilderness include: Obernolte trailhead; Reynolds Pond trailhead and County line trailhead.
Written January 25, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JA R
Bend, OR160 contributions
Dec 2013 • Couples
Not sure you could cover this in a lifetime there are so many trails and trailheads. That and it is so different than most any other recreation site make this one of our favorite spots to go in the area. In the winter it is almost always dry so you can avoid the frozen or muddy trails closer to town. In the shoulder seasons it is quiet so a great place for a zen hike. In the summer it is ideal for an early morning or late afternoon trek. While it may seem that it is endless miles of nothing there are dozens of fascinating rock formations and thousands of twisted huge junipers. If you are going just once do the Flatiron Rock hike as the destination is huge interesting jumble of lava, boulders, nooks, crannies and view points. Regardless of the time or date do NOT forget water. It is bone dry out there and you will need it. Also beware that it is easy to become disoriented due to the seemingly similar sights. Heed the maps and directionals. Cell service can also be spotty so don't consider that a savior.
Written February 6, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BRuce M
Independence, OR299 contributions
Feb 2014 • Couples
Don't go, it is way out of town,too crowded, noisy and frenetic. "Just saying". Full of lava rock outcrops, twisted junipers and dirt.
Written March 12, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gary C
Bend, OR31 contributions
Jul 2021
This is a good introduction to the high desert juniper and sage biom. However, the trail is very tedious, with almost no variation in scenery until you reach the big rock at the end. I've hiked it 5 or 6 times because I live close by, but it is near the bottom of my list of hikes to do. Particularly not recommended on a hot day - no shade.
Written June 5, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jeff s
Seattle, WA57 contributions
Feb 2018 • Couples
Walked for several miles into the park but found it somewhat monotonous. Pretty much the same landscape the whole way. The high point was the high point - climbing the rock outcropping that hovers maybe sixty feet above the surrounding area gives one a much better feel for the area, and the geology of that outcropping is interesting by itself, but with so many great hikes possible near Bend, I'd stake my claim elsewhere.
Written February 12, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
bonmom707
Arcata, CA179 contributions
Jul 2018
Wonderful place to wander and be with nature. Quiet and isolated, very serene and meditative. Walk to flatiron rock at least to sample the many types of shrubs and scenery.
Written August 27, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Violentvixen
Bend, OR22 contributions
May 2018
Definitely a great offleash winter hike with your dog. But be sure to get up early if it's going to be hot, there's little to no shade.
Written August 10, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CindyJo2015
Bend, OR96 contributions
Aug 2017 • Friends
Hiking the Badlands is amazing! The scenery is unlike most. With the old juniper trees and sagebrush, volcanic rocks and never ending sky, you feel like you are in a wholly different country. The best thing is that it is close to town, free, not generally busy, and you can hike almost all year round.
Written December 21, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bonnie M
United States127 contributions
Jul 2017 • Solo
I went here in the early morning specifically because I wanted to photograph the area. The trail are easy to follow and you can choose what length of trail you want. The Juniper trees were impressive in their expanse in such an environment. There were some flowers still blooming and the sagebrush dotted the landscape along the way. I enjoyed the hike since it wasn't hot when I went.
Written July 21, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Angi M
Eugene, OR27 contributions
Jun 2016
We go here at least 1-2x per year and walk the dry river bed to see the petroglyphs. We never seem to tire of it. I would highly recommend it if you are into deserty places and petroglyphs. It is out in the middle of nowhere so you must remember which way you went on the trail in order to get back. There are no signs and there are many different trails and directions. I could see how someone could get lost.
Written May 10, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Is there a campground there or nearby?
Written September 8, 2018
I do not know of one nearby. It is not very far from Bend so must be one close. I believe it is a day use area only and camping or overnighting in the area of the Badlands trails is not allowed. I would check with BLM.
Written September 9, 2018
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