Steens Mountain (west side) and Alvord Desert

The Steens Mountain Ranges are located in Eastern Oregon, along the Alvord Desert.  This gives the mountains a supernatural, yet majestic feel.  This area would be wonderfully suited to a car commercial, or sci-fi production.

Images were taken early November.  A few weeks later there was a greater snow accumulation for an even more striking backdrop.

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Summer Lake Hot Springs

Summer Lake Hot Springs, located in Summer Lake, near Paisley in Eastern Oregon is a hot springs that is open year round.  The owners are amenable to filming and there is lodging on site (cabins, RV hookups and camping).  There are multiple barns on the property, and a horse corral (with horses).  Expansive location with mountains on one side, and alkaline lake bed on the other.  

Images were taken in early November, at 8.30am, predominantly facing NE.

Exterior Hot Springs (Summer Lake)

Hot Springs (interior)

Hot Springs Shed (exterior)

Summer Lake Hot Springs (facing NE, 8.30am)

Summer Lake Hot Springs

Summer Lake Hot Springs

Summer Lake Hot Springs

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Oregon Badlands

The Oregon Badlands is a wilderness area of approximately 29,000 acres located east of Bend.  There are ancient juniper trees, sagebrush and arid areas in addition to rocks formations and caves.  Because there are century old trees, this wilderness area should be treated with respect and would not be appropriate for bushwhackers or any reality show wanting to live off the land.

The Badlands are located close to Bend, for easy access to accomodation and services. Should you be filming in the Badlands, please remember to carry in plenty of water and to leave as little trace as possible.

Permits will be issued by the Bureau of Land Management (please allow at least TWO MONTHS prior to applying for a permit).

For additional images of the Badlands, please click here.

 

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Fort Rock

Fort Rock is an excellent option for productions that are looking for a massive rock formation, either for print, TV, commercial or film work.  Providing a stunning backdrop, Fort Rock provides iconic 360 degree vistas. As Fort Rock is a State Park, there is no permit required, but productions do need a special use permit which can be obtained by the Fort Rock State Park Ranger, who are excellent to work with.  Please contact them, or this office at least 21 days in advance of any production.

There is parking in the area at the base of the rock, including basic restroom facilities and water.

Additional parking can be obtained by leasing space at the ranch adjoining the Park.

Images taken mid-June. Noon. Facing South, and early November, 10am.

From Wikipedia:

The rock was created when basalt magma rose to the surface and encountered the wet muds of a lake bottom. Powered by a jet of steam, molten basalt was blown into the air, creating a fountain of hot lava particles and frothy ash. The pieces and blobs of hot lava and ash rained down around the vent and formed a saucer-shaped ring of lapilli tuff and volcanic ash sitting like an island in the lake waters. Steam explosions also loosened angular chunks of black and red lava rock comprising the valley floor. These blocky inclusions are incorporated into the fine-grained tuff layers at Fort Rock. Waves from the lake waters eroded the outside of the ring, cutting the steep cliffs into terraces 66 feet (20 m) above the floor of Fort Rock Valley.

The wave-cut terraces on the south side of the ring mark former lake levels of this now-dry lakebed. Southerly winds, which are still predominant in this region, apparently drove waves against the south side of the ring, eroding the soft ash layers, breaching it, and creating a large opening on the south side. 

Previous age estimates of Fort Rock ranged upwards to 1.8 million years. Recently, the age of Fort Rock has been estimated at 50,000 to 100,000 years. This coincides with a period of time when large pluvial lakes filled the valleys of central Oregon and much of the Great Basin of the western United States. At its maximum, the water in Fort Rock Lake was estimated to cover nearly 900 square miles (2,300 km2) and was about 150 feet (46 m) deep where the Fort Rock tuff ring formed.

The extensive terrace on the side of Fort Rock marks one lakeshore about 14,000 years ago. Even higher water levels are recorded on the tuff cliffs and at one point only the tops of the tuff ring were exposed as rocky islands in this inland sea. An age of about 21,000 years ago has been found for this highest lake level.

 

 

 

Fort Rock State Park. A majestic alternative to Smith Rock.

 

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Smith Rock

Smith Rock State Park is  located in central Oregon’s High Desert near the communities of Redmond and Terrebonne. Its sheer cliffs of tuff and basalt are ideal for rock climbing of all difficulty levels. 
Smith Rock is a popular tourist attraction, and therefore film production can be challenging. Please contact the Central Oregon Film Office for additional information (310) 848 3967 or the Smith Rock park manager at 541-548-7501.
Permits are required for commercial filming and photography. 
Parking permit required for each vehicle.

Currently (June 2023), certain areas are closed to the public due to nesting raptors.  Canyon Trail and First Kiss Avenue (North of Monkey Face) are both closed.

Address
: 9241 NE Crooked River Drive, 
Terrebonne, OR 97760
Area: 1.002 mi²
HoursMonday – Sunday  Open 24 hours 
Phone: (800) 551-6949

Located 29 miles from Bend (approximately 40 minutes)
Considerable parking on site
Outdoor auditorium on site
Public restrooms/portapotties on site
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Thanks to Location Scout, Scott Trimble for some of these images!
 
 

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