Settlement Services

Suggested Citation: Kerr, Andy. 2000. Oregon Desert Guide: 70 Hikes. Seattle: The Mountaineers Books. p. 39.

<<<-Previous             Table of Contents            Next->>>

Material needs can be met in the larger communities, such as Baker City, Bend, Burns, Lakeview, Ontario (Mountain Time Zone), Prineville, and so forth. In the desert, small settlements are few and far between, especially if you're running on your spare or forgot to fill your tank.

If a hamlet isn't listed in the accompanying table, it is just a once-was place on the map, and no services are available other than perhaps a post office (al- ways the last to go). If it ever was, it is not now.
Only essential goods and services are rated. All listings have public telephones. In multiestablishment communities, the ratings are an amalgam of businesses.

Not rated is the amount of antienvironment(alist) material on walls, which generally inversely correlates to the coffee, beer, ice cream, and restaurant ratings. Bring your own fresh fruits and vegetables. You can sometimes negotiate with a restaurant to sell you lettuce, tomatoes, and other things that garnish a burger.
Goods and services are rated in the table as follows:

Goods/Services (no stars equal none)

   *                                  **                                  ***

Coffee                  "Eastern Oregon" Coffee          Good Coffee                   Espresso Drinks

Auto Services        Gasoline*                               Flats fixed                      Other Repairs

Beer                     All the Same Color                  Token Beers of Color       Microbrews

Ice Cream             Basic                                     Hagen Dazs-esque          Homemade

Restaurants           Diner Fare                             Somewhat More              Excellent

* Often not diesel and sometimes not premium.

[The table below is quite out-of-date and especially should not be relied upon.]

If you've spent one too many nights on the hard ground, or if the weather and/or your body odor is just too foul, Where to Stay in Oregon (distributed widely, or avail- able from the Oregon Lodging Association, 12724 SE Stark, Portland, OR 97233; telephone 503-255-5135) lists hotels, motels, resorts, bed and breakfasts, and recreational vehicle (RV) parks everywhere, including many of those little out- of-the-way places.

Not listed is the nonprofit Malheur Field Station, which has dilapidated (considered quaint in foul weather) trailers and dorms. Meals also available. Great ambiance. Telephone 541-493-2629 for more information.