Eastern Oregon - Washington, Oregon and the Pacific Northwest - page 727

(open in summer; 4WD vehicles only), where you have a decent chance at spotting ante-
lope or sage grouse.
At the often unstaffed refuge headquarters ( 541-947-2731; 7am-4:30pm Memorial
Day-Labor Day, otherwise closed Sat & Sun) you can pick up brochures any time and use the
area's only potable water and toilet facilities. Pitch a tent at the free Hot Springs Camp-
ground , about 4 miles south of HQ. There's a lovely wooded creek plus an open-air
bathhouse that traps a hot spring - just the thing after a dusty day of exploring. There's
an undeveloped hot-spring pool nearby.
If you're just passing through, allow two to three hours to travel the 75 miles between
Plush and Frenchglen (about 50 miles is on a slow gravel surface); make sure you have
plenty of gas. Call in winter or after heavy rains to check the refuge's roads are passable.