Spring Basin Wilderness, Nature reserve near Clarno, Oregon.

Spring Basin Wilderness covers 6,382 acres of cliffs, remote canyons and colorful geologic features beside the John Day River near Clarno. Mule deer, golden eagles, prairie falcons and bobcats live among the rocks and open ground.

Congress established this wilderness through federal legislation in 2009 that protected thousands of acres across western states. This legal designation made it a permanent protected area with strict rules against development.

The name Spring Basin comes from the single spring in the wilderness interior, the only reliable water source for wildlife such as mule deer and golden eagles. Visitors can spot western juniper and sagebrush across the slopes, while the John Day River forms the western boundary.

Bring paper maps and carry sufficient water supplies, as trails here are barely marked and navigation requires some experience. Planning your route ahead of time helps you avoid getting lost in the remote terrain.

Spring Basin Wilderness is named for a spring in its interior, the only reliable water source in an otherwise dry landscape. The 6,382-acre area, bordered by the John Day River, was designated wilderness by the Omnibus Public Land Management Act signed on March 30, 2009. Visitors share the canyons with mule deer, golden eagles and prairie falcons.