Fish and Wildlife Service, Oregon.
Hart Mountain National Antelope Refuge was established on December 20th, 1936 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt to serve “…as a range and breeding ground for the antelope and other species of wildlife…” Today, management of the Refuge has broadened to include conservation of all wildlife species characteristic of this high desert habitat and restoration of native ecosystems for the public’s enjoyment, education, and appreciation.
Hart Mountain National Antelope Refuge is located in southcentral Oregon on a massive fault block ridge that ascends abruptly nearly three-quarters of a mile above the Warner Valley floor in a series of rugged cliffs, steep slopes, and knife-like ridges. The highest point being Warner Peak, with an elevation of 8,017 feet and the lowest elevation being 4,470 feet, near the edge of Bluejoint Lake at the base of Poker Jim Ridge. Visitors experience spectacular views of the beautiful Warner Valley Wetlands while ascending the west side entrance road to headquarters. The west face of the mountain is cut by several deep gorges. Hart, Potter, and DeGarmo canyons, the most rugged, extend from the valley floor to the top of the main ridge. The east side of the mountain is less precipitous, descending in a series of rolling hills and low ridges to the sagebrush-grasslands typical of southeastern Oregon and the Great Basin.
The rugged diversity of the terrain creates a rich mix of habitat types, home to more than 300 species of wildlife. Featured species include pronghorn antelope, California bighorn sheep, mule deer, greater sage-grouse, and redband trout. The 278,000-acre refuge is one of the most expansive wildlife habitats in the arid West free of domestic livestock.
Learn more about the pronghorn, the fastest animal in North America, here: Providing a Home for the Fastest Land Mammal in North America
From western Oregon/ northeast California (Bend-228 miles, Burns-192 miles, Klamath Falls-159 miles, Alturas, CA-117 miles) via Lakeview, Oregon (best road conditions & most paved roads):
1) Follow Highway 395 to the junction with Highway 140 east.
2) Following signs for Adel and Winnemucca, Nevada, turn east onto Highway 140.
3) Follow Highway 140 east for 15.6 miles.
4) Following the sign for PLUSH and HART MTN. REFUGE, turn north onto the Plush Cuttoff (County Highway 3-13).
5) Continue 19.6 miles heading north through Plush (gas, grocery, and restaurant).
6) Follow the sign to Hart MT. and Frenchglen turning east onto Hart Mountain Road (County Highway 3-12).
7) Continue east and north 23 miles following the Hart Mountain-Frenchglen Road past the Warner Valley Wetlands and restrooms (2 miles) and Camp Hart Mountain and restrooms (13.5 miles) to the Refuge Headquarters (13.5 miles paved road plus 9.5 miles maintained gravel road).
Alternate Route from Bend (207 miles) or Burns (129 miles) via Highway 20 and Hogback Road (shortest route— paved and maintained gravel roads):
1) From Highway 20 turn south onto Highway 395
2) Follow Highway 395 south for 64 miles past the Highway Wells Rest Area (60 miles).
3) Following the sign for HOGBACK RD, PLUSH, HART MT ANTELOPE REF., turn east onto Hogback Road (County Road 3-10).
4) Follow Hogback Road (County Road 3-10) for 20 miles.
5) Follow signs at the three-way intersection for HART MT and FLAGSTAFF LK (County Road 3-11)
6) Follow Flagstaff Lake Road (County Road 3-11) for 8.6 miles
7) Turn north at the intersection onto the Hart Mountain-Frenchglen Road (County Road 3-12)
8) Continue 9.5 miles northeast past Camp Hart Mountain and restrooms (400 feet) to the Refuge Headquarters.
From Frenchglen (48 miles), Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, and Steens Mountains (maintained gravel road):
1) Follow Highway 205 south from Frenchglen (gas, groceries, restaurant, and hotel) for 7 miles.
2) Turn west onto Rock Creek Road.
3) Follow Rock Creek Road (becoming Hart Mountain-Frenchglen Road) for 41 miles to the Refuge Headquarters.
From Denio Junction, Nevada (111 miles) via Fields, Oregon (80 miles) (paved and maintained gravel roads):
1) Follow Highway 292 (becoming Fields-Denio Road/ Highway 205) north from Denio Junction, NV (groceries, restaurant, hotel) for 68.5 miles
2) Turn west onto Rock Creek Road.
3) Follow Rock Creek Road (becoming Hart Mountain-Frenchglen Road) for 41 miles to the Refuge Headquarters.