From its stunning coastline to its rugged mountains, Oregon is a beautiful place to explore. One of its most remote, breathtaking spots is the Alvord Desert. It’s a place where you won’t likely find many other visitors, but it has plenty to offer those who venture out east to find it. Here are 12 reasons you should definitely check this place out:

  1. The Alvord Desert has a unique beauty you just won’t find anywhere else.

Gary Alvis/E+ Collection via Getty Images It’s barren and empty, but it’s also the kind of place that just takes your breath away.

  1. You’ll have the place to yourself.

James O’Neil/Photodisc Collection via Getty Images This dry lakebed covers 84 square miles, and it’s very remote, so you aren’t likely to run into many people.

  1. It’s breathtaking year-round.

Bureau of Land Management/flickr Most people visit this remote gem during summer months, but it has an ethereal beauty that can’t be beat during the winter. It’s cold out there, so pack your long underwear.

  1. You might find your inner zen.

FatCamera/E+ Collection via Getty Images This place is quiet and calm - the perfect spot for some meditation.

  1. You’ll capture some stunning photos.

Richard “Dick” Morgan/flickr Bring along your camera and spend the entire day finding tons of different, compelling shots.

  1. You can take a nap here and no one will bother you to get up and do chores.

Colin PDX/flickr I mean, your spouse can drive out here to try to find you…but good luck!

  1. The sunrises are spectacular…

Gary Weathers/GettyImages This sight is worth waking up for!

  1. …And the night sky is filled with stars.

Photo by Josh Boes/Moment Collection via Getty Images With no light pollution, the heavens above are full of shimmering stars.

  1. You can do all kinds of crazy things there.

FatCamera/E+ Collection via Getty Images It’s hard to see this huge expanse of open land and not want to play on it.

  1. You can even go land sailing here!

Bureau of Land Management/flickr What is “land sailing,” you ask? Take a three-wheeled car, add a big sail to it, and take it to a place where there’s some wind. If you want to feel like one of the gentrified elite, you can call it “land yachting.”

  1. You’ll have a front row view of the majestic Steens Mountain.

Richard “Dick” Morgan/flickr Sit back, relax, and soak in that view!

  1. Camping here is a unique experience.

Cavan Images/Cavan Collection via Getty Images Gather ‘round the campfire and tell ghost stories, play your guitar and sing songs, or howl at the moon.

Have you visited the Alvord Desert? Tell our readers about your trip! While you’re in the area, you might want to visit Alvord Hot Springs. Learn about it in our feature article here.

Gary Alvis/E+ Collection via Getty Images

It’s barren and empty, but it’s also the kind of place that just takes your breath away.

James O’Neil/Photodisc Collection via Getty Images

This dry lakebed covers 84 square miles, and it’s very remote, so you aren’t likely to run into many people.

Bureau of Land Management/flickr

Most people visit this remote gem during summer months, but it has an ethereal beauty that can’t be beat during the winter. It’s cold out there, so pack your long underwear.

FatCamera/E+ Collection via Getty Images

This place is quiet and calm - the perfect spot for some meditation.

Richard “Dick” Morgan/flickr

Bring along your camera and spend the entire day finding tons of different, compelling shots.

Colin PDX/flickr

I mean, your spouse can drive out here to try to find you…but good luck!

Gary Weathers/GettyImages

This sight is worth waking up for!

Photo by Josh Boes/Moment Collection via Getty Images

With no light pollution, the heavens above are full of shimmering stars.

It’s hard to see this huge expanse of open land and not want to play on it.

What is “land sailing,” you ask? Take a three-wheeled car, add a big sail to it, and take it to a place where there’s some wind. If you want to feel like one of the gentrified elite, you can call it “land yachting.”

Sit back, relax, and soak in that view!

Cavan Images/Cavan Collection via Getty Images

Gather ‘round the campfire and tell ghost stories, play your guitar and sing songs, or howl at the moon.

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Address: Alvord Desert, Oregon 97721, USA