• The Steens Mountain rise more than 9,000 feet out of the desert in southeastern Oregon and lies on the largest geological fault in North America. It is home to more than 75 rare species of plants, bighorn sheep, golden eagles and the wild Kiger mustangs- a protected herd descending from Spanish mustangs brought to America in the 1600s. Here exists unusually landscape with sand dunes, playa lakes, hot springs and salt desert vegetation.

• The Malheur Wildlife Refuge was created by President Roosevelt after native egrets disappeared from the are. It is home to the largest fresh-water marsh in the United States, attracting thousands of birds every year. The refuge has more than 225 species of birds and other animals and is one of the region's best spots for wildlife viewing.

• The Diamond Craters are one of the best basaltic volcanic features in the nation.

• With its class IV and V rapids, the Owyhee River is the perfect for kayakers and rafters. Anglers will find rainbow and brown trout in its waters, and camping and fishing for trophy bass can be found at nearly Lake Owyhee.

• The Leslie Gulch is a five-mile-long canyon at the lower end of the Owyhee River that was established to protect the area's bighorn sheep habitat and rare plant species. Volcanic formations such as the Honeycomb, and Native American writings and artifacts are hidden within the canyon walls. The region has an abundant of Thundereggs--Oregon's state rock--jasper and other collectible rocks.

• Jordan Valley has diverse geological formations known as the Jordan Craters and the chalk-colored bluffs called the Pillars of Rome. Abert Rim, the largest exposed geologic fault in North America contains many petroglyphs that are evidence of human settlement dating back 11,000 years. At the base of Abert Rim is Lake Abert, the third largest body of salt water in North America and home to a variety of birds.

• Christmas Valley has 15,000 acres of sand dunes. It includes the Lost Forest, a 9,000-acre stand of ponderosa pines that grows in the middle of the desert east of the valley. Fort Rock is volcanic tuff rising 325 feet above the desert floor and designated as a national natural landmark. Excavation of a cave near Fort Rock in 1938 uncovered 90-100 fragments and pairs of sagebrush bark sandals under a layer of Mount Mazama ash, establishing that human settlement existed there at least 7,000 years ago.

• Pronghorn antelope, bighorn sheep, mule deer, coyote, black-tailed jack rabbits, golden eagles and other wildlife call home 275,000 acres of Hart Mountain National Antelope Refuge, which offers some of the best wildlife watching opportunities in south-central Oregon.

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