Frenchglen

Frenchglen, the tiny town near the base of Steens Mountain, has no more than a handful of residents, and in the off-season offers no basic services to travelers. In other words: eat first. The only lodging in town, the historic Frenchglen Hotel, is a true classic of Oregon hostelry. In the spring and summer Frenchglen's main street is crowded with birders on break from exploring the adjacent Malheur refuge. The popular Steens Mountain Loop begins and ends here, and the town makes a nice setting-off point for adventures in the remote Alvord Desert.