Tours
We have the full gamut of tours: van-guided; we-lead-you-drive caravans; and self-guided. You’ll also have the opportunity to enjoy touring by a variety of means – walking, hiking, biking, riding, or driving! Tours are listed below in chronological order.
HARNEY BASIN WETLANDS RESTORATION TOUR
The Harney Basin Wetlands Collaborative is a local group of diverse partners working in Harney Basin and the Silvies floodplain to enhance flood meadows and improve the health of Malheur Lake and its tributaries while creating economic and social benefits for the community. For the past few years partners have been working behind the scenes and they want to show you what they have been doing! Join Ducks Unlimited’s Ashley Tunstall, Harney Basin Ecological Coordinator Melissa Petschauer, and High Desert Partnership’s Josey Wilson as they take you around the basin for an afternoon of birding and learning about the restoration work being done. Come along for a fun ride and learn what is happening in your backyard! VAN-GUIDED (you ride with us).
$45 / person, Thursday, April 16, 1 to 4 p.m. | 18 spots available
Departs from: Harney County Chamber of Commerce, 484 N Broadway, Burns, OR 97720
HARNEY COUNTY HISTORICAL MUSEUM TOUR
The Harney County Historical Museum is one of the county’s hidden treasures. The museum depicts a personal history of the county by the people who have lived here. There are two floors of displays in the museum and the recently added annex has another room full of history and artifacts. Most visitors agree that there are few museums that match the personalized history that is depicted in this great space. The Harney County Historical Museum has exhibits featuring Fort Harney, the City of Burns, ranching history, the history of the lumber industry, Native American exhibits, wildlife exhibits and much more. SELF-GUIDED
$3 – 5 / person, Thursday, April 16, 2 to 8 p.m. and Friday/Saturday, April 17/18, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Location: Harney County Historical Museum, 18 W ‘D’ St, Burns, OR 97720
DOWNTOWN HISTORY WALKING TOUR
Enjoy a chance to stretch your legs between birding tours and learn more about Burns history. This walking tour covers 16 blocks in the downtown area of Burns and focuses on many of the 100+ year old buildings still in use. You will visit and get a brief historical sketch about each building on your path. Finish your tour with a visit to the Harney County Historical Society Museum, open Thursday, 2 to 8, and Friday and Saturday from 10 to 4. *Free, but MUST Pre-register by adding this tour to your shopping cart.
Free, Thursday, April 16, 4 to 6 p.m. | Friday, April 17, 4 to 6 p.m. | Saturday, April 18, 3 to 5 p.m. | 20 spots available per tour
Departs from: Harney County Library – 80 W ‘D’ St., Burns, OR 97720
SUNRISE BALD EAGLES & MORE TOUR
Harney Basin provides habitat for nesting, wintering, migrant and wandering bald and golden eagles alongside many other bird species. Bird Alliance of Oregon’s Arriane Jacques will lead a field trip with a goal of an early morning bald eagle fly out from one of the largest bald eagle roosts of Oregon… which has been monitored for 33 years and counting! This is an early-start tour with a 35-minute drive from Burns. We leave on time, before sunrise, so as not to miss any eagles. The roost is secluded, but we’ll *hopefully* get to watch some of the birds fly out over our heads, from the comfort of our vehicles if it is cold, or outside if you prefer, on a quiet gravel road. As the eagles fly out, they scatter across agriculture fields preparing to search for a free meal, which is one of the main reasons they roost in this particular area.
$30 / person or vehicle, Friday and Saturday, April 17 and 18, 5:15 to 8:45 a.m. | Spots available for 15ish people
Departs from: Geno’s Youth Center – 135 E Washington St, Burns, OR, 97720
BASIN BIG DAY TOUR
Bird most of Harney Basin habitats from the majestic old growth ponderosa pines on Malheur National Forest to the spring fed ponds on Malheur National Wildlife Refuge. Everyone gets a window seat on this tour and there are plenty of birding stops with short walks to stretch legs and smell the sagebrush. Note that Big Days really are BIG days!! Be prepared for many stops, getting in and out of the van a lot, and a fast and furious day of birding.
Peter Olsoy, Katie Sorenson, and Duke Tufty will be your leaders. Peter is the Oregon Birding Association President and eBird reviewer for several counties in Idaho and he and Katie (OBA Treasurer and middle school educator!) are dedicated Harney County birders. Duke is the past-President of the East Cascades Bird Alliance. All of our guides have led Basin Big Day before! Plan on a full day of birding various habitats such as burned and unburned forests, juniper woodlands, sagebrush, agricultural fields, hot springs, wetlands, rimrock, floodplains, backyard hot spots and even sewage ponds. High quality spotting scopes available for use, and tour leaders can provide support for photography, digi-scoping and birding apps including eBird. Forest parts of the trip are weather dependent. VAN-GUIDED (you ride with us).
$140 / person, Friday, April 17, 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. | $130 / person, Saturday, April 18, 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. | 16 spots available per tour
Departs from: Geno’s Youth Center – 135 E Washington St, Burns, OR, 97720
BIRDING THE HOT SPOTS TOUR – NORTH
If you are new to the area or just want someone else to do the driving and take you to all the “hot spots,” this is the tour for you! Guides will answer all of your birding questions and provide insight into the habitat needs of many of our spring migratory birds. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to quiz an expert and discover the best birding around! Family friendly. On Friday, this tour will be around Burns and to the NORTH. On Saturday, this tour will be around Burns and to the SOUTH. (One to the north and one south on Sunday). A different experience each day! Led by retired BLM biologists Matt Obradovich and Rick Hall. Each has over 30 years of experience in natural resources, birding, and conservation. VAN-GUIDED (you ride with us).
$45 / person, Friday, April 17, 7 to 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. | Sunday, April 19, 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. | 11 spots available per tour | Departs from: Geno’s Youth Center – 135 E Washington St, Burns, OR, 97720
BIRD CRAWL
Think “pub crawl,” but with birds instead of beer – and driving instead of walking. The Bird Crawl is a self-guided, vehicle-based birding adventure where you meet up with biologists, scientists, wildlife spotters, and other local experts out in the field. We’ve selected several birding locations across Harney County that you can drive to on your own. At each stop, you’ll find a specialist who will help you spot birds, share local knowledge, and enhance your birding experience. How it works:
1) Purchase a Bird Crawl passport online (add it to your cart during registration), then pick it up in person:
– Thursday (Festival Kick-off day): Harney County Chamber of Commerce, before 5 p.m.
– Friday or Saturday: Bird Central (Geno’s Youth Center, 135 E Washington St, Burns), starting at 6 a.m.
2) Over the festival weekend, take your passport with you to Bird Crawl locations and get it stamped by a docent at each stop. Some guided tours even include Bird Crawl locations.
3) Bring your completed passport back to Bird Central by 12 p.m. on Sunday, April 19, and you’ll be entered into a drawing for something AWESOME.
Do I need a passport to participate? Nope! You’re welcome to visit Bird Crawl locations and talk with docents without a passport. The passport just adds a fun, collectible element—and a chance to win a prize.
What is the passport? It’s a small commemorative booklet you use to collect stamps at each Bird Crawl stop. Each passport also includes an annual sticker as part of the Harney County Migratory Bird Festival series.
MALHEUR REFUGE BIRDING & DUNN DAM TOUR
Join Ashley Tunstall from Ducks Unlimited for a guided tour to the Dunn Dam project at Malheur National Wildlife Refuge. Learn how partners replaced the aging dam to improve river flow, restore fish passage, and reconnect wetlands — creating better habitat for waterbirds and other wildlife. Along the way, enjoy excellent birdwatching and see firsthand how collaborative restoration efforts, including mussel and fish rescues, are helping the refuge thrive. Discover how these changes benefit both the river ecosystem and the birds that rely on it throughout the year.
$45 / person, Friday, April 17, 8 to 11 a.m. | 9 spots available
Departs from: Geno’s Youth Center – 135 E Washington St, Burns, OR, 97720
*photo by Barbara Wheeler Photography
BOCA LAKE HIKING TOUR
Enjoy a leisurely 5-mile birding hike to one of the hidden gems of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge. Teresa Wicks (Friday) and Chris Williams (Saturday) with the Bird Alliance of Oregon, guide you through this beautiful sub-basin of the Blitzen Valley, exploring the wetlands and surrounding habitats of the 600-acre Boca Lake, a portion of the Refuge normally closed to the public! You can expect an abundance of water birds and plenty of upland species as you walk the road that circumnavigates the lake. This is a terrific opportunity to combine birding and exercise with an adventure to a very special place. VAN-GUIDED HIKING TOUR (you ride with us).
$95 / person, Friday and Saturday, April 17 and 18, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. | 10 spots available per tour
Departs from: Geno’s Youth Center – 135 E Washington St, Burns, OR, 97720
LLAMA-POWERED BIRDING TOUR: MALHEUR WETLANDS
Hike, bird, and explore the heart of Malheur with a llama by your side! This one-of-a-kind day tour at the Double-O Ranch combines outstanding birding with a hands-on llama trekking experience in one of the most productive areas of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge. During the bird festival, it’s not uncommon to see 30–40 species in a single day, making this an exceptional opportunity for birders and photographers alike. Each participant is paired with a friendly llama who carries your field gear and becomes your trail companion for the day. You’ll have the chance to help saddle your llama and even lead them along the route as you hike through sagebrush hills on level tracks that are normally closed to the public.
Along the way, we’ll visit Martha Lake, where birds are often at wonderfully close range, then stop for lunch at scenic Derrick Lake, known for its sweeping views and large rafts of waterfowl. The return route follows a canal where ducks and other species frequently linger, offering more great viewing and photo opportunities. Total hiking distance is typically 3–5 miles, depending on group interest and pace. Camera gear, scopes, collapsible tripods, and even small folding chairs can be carried by the llamas. The 40-mile drive from Burns is a birding experience in itself. Bring your lunch, snacks, and drinks—and get ready for a memorable day of wildlife, wide-open landscapes, and llama-powered adventure. CARAVAN TOUR (We lead, you drive).
$100 / person, Friday, April 17, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. | Spots available for 6 people
Departs from: Geno’s Youth Center – 135 E Washington St., Burns, OR, 97720
WATERFOWL ID TOUR
Time to put your new knowledge to the test! Using what you learned in the Waterfowl ID class, we will go out and identify waterfowl in the basin. This is a great opportunity to try out your new knowledge, ask questions and see waterfowl in their natural habitat. Please dress for the weather, as we will be in and out of the van. This tour is led by Melissa Petschauer, Harney Basin Ecological Coordinator for High Desert Partnership. Her career has been based in avian research with a focus on waterfowl. VAN-GUIDED (You ride with us).
$30 / person, Friday and Saturday, April 17 and 18, 9 to 11 a.m. | 9 spots available per tour
Departs from: Geno’s Youth Center – 135 E Washington St, Burns, OR, 97720
BIRDING BY BIKE – HALF THE WHEELS, TWICE THE FUN
Interested in combining some moderate exercise with excellent Harney Basin birding? Join our guide, Cathy Donaldson on flat, gravel bike rides along the Wildlife Parkway in Burns/Hines (Friday) and in the Bridge Creek area (Saturday/Sunday), at the south end of Malheur National Wildlife Refuge. You will need to BYOB (bike), and binoculars are recommended! Layer your clothing, as the weather could change from one end of the thermometer to the other. Be sure to carry water and anything else you need to be comfortable on a 3-hour bike ride. BIKING TOUR (meet at the starting location).
$20 / person, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, April 17, 18 and 19, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. | Spots available for 10 bikers per tour
Departs from:
– Friday – Burns/Hines Nature Trail – meet at Geno’s Youth Center – 135 E Washington St, Burns, OR, 97720
– Saturday and Sunday – Malheur Refuge Bridge Creek area – meet at Page Springs Campground at the base of Steens Mountain
TRACKS & SIGNS OF WILDLIFE TOUR (Youth & Family Focused)
Join Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife Biologist, Lee Foster, for this engaging, family-friendly experience where everyone will learn about becoming a nature detective! You’ll never look at the outdoors the same – from feathers to nests, rub and chew marks to scat and footprints, signs of wildlife are everywhere! Tracking wildlife with kids, whether it’s spotting a dog print at the park, a bear track on a trail, or a little mountain of squirrel-gnawed pinecone flakes, lights up youthful eyes and minds as they discover evidence of wild lives beyond their field of view. Besides happy distractions and effortless nature education, tracking can teach and enhance patience and observation skills across all ages. CARAVAN TOUR (you drive, we lead).
$10 / vehicle, Friday and Saturday, April 17 and 18, 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. | Spots available for 10 vehicles per tour
Departs from: Geno’s Youth Center – 135 E Washington St., Burns, OR, 97720
BIRDING BENSON POND TO P-RANCH TOUR
Join Ashley Tunstall with Ducks Unlimited on this tour traveling the southern region of Malheur National Wildlife Refuge’s Auto Tour Route. You’ll travel past many of the refuge’s best wet meadow habitat, past several ponds, and along woody riparian habitat. This route moves right along the Blitzen River, so there are plenty of opportunities for viewing riverine bird species (such as mergansers) and several mammal species, including mink, otter, and sometimes beaver. This tour stops at two of the Bird Crawl stops, so be sure to bring your passport! VAN-GUIDED (You ride with us).
$45 / person, Friday, April 17, 12:30 to 4 p.m. | 9 spots available
Departs from: Geno’s Youth Center – 135 E Washington St., Burns, OR, 97720
eBIRD & COMMUNITY SCIENCE TOUR
Join Bird Alliance of Oregon’s Tara Lemezis on Friday, or High Desert Partnership’s Melissa Petschauer on Saturday, for this largely field-based workshop. We’ll spend about 15-minutes before the tour going over what eBird is and how to use it not only as a tool for tracking your bird sightings but how you can use it to contribute to community science. After this brief introduction to eBird, we’ll head into the field to collect eBird sightings for Project IBiS (Inventorying Birds in the Silvies Floodplain). This field opportunity will not only contribute to important data about bird use of the floodplain and how bird use relates to Harney Basin Wetlands Collaborative projects, but will give you firsthand experience with using the eBird app. VAN-GUIDED + CARAVAN TOUR (5 people ride with us + 5 cars caravan behind).
$45 / person or vehicle, Friday, April 17, 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. (VAN GUIDED + CARAVAN) , and Saturday, April 18, 12 to 3 p.m. (CARAVAN only) | 15ish spots available per tour | Departs from: Geno’s Youth Center – 135 E Washington St., Burns, OR, 97720
SANDHILLS STOPOVER TOUR
Discover the world of Sandhill Cranes with biologist Gary Ivey of the International Crane Foundation. This tour will focus on finding sandhill cranes and learning about their biology and migration. Gary is a Research Associate at the Foundation and works on research, monitoring, environmental education, and habitat conservation projects for the sake of crane conservation. Bring water and snacks and plan for a few stops where you’ll be getting out of your vehicle to gather, observe, etc. This tour may go to areas similar to other tours, but the focus will be all about Cranes! VAN-GUIDED (you ride with us).
$30 / person, Friday. April 17, 2 to 4 p.m., ; Saturday, April 18, 9 to 11 a.m. (Van-guided + caravan option) and 2 to 4 p.m.; Sunday, April 19, 8 to 10 a.m. | 9-11 spots available per tour
Departs from: Geno’s Youth Center – 135 E Washington St, Burns, OR, 97720
HARNEY BASIN ROCK ART TOUR
Join local retired BLM Archaeologist, Scott Thomas, for a rock art tour that focuses on the center of the basin. Explore different types of rock art made in ancient times by the first human inhabitants of southeastern Oregon. This tour visits a prehistoric petroglyph site on BLM-managed public lands, where the art designs were made by grinding or pecking the boulders with hammerstones. There is a short stop to visit the Round Barn Visitor Center, and – if time permits – a look at the historic Pete French Round Barn as well. Family friendly. VAN-GUIDED TOUR (you ride with us).
$45 / person, Friday, April 17, 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. | 9 spots available
Departs from: Geno’s Youth Center – 135 E Washington St., Burns, OR, 97720
BIRDING THE HOT SPOTS TOUR – SOUTH
If you are new to the area or just want someone else to do the driving and take you to all the “hot spots,” this is the tour for you! Guides will answer all of your birding questions and provide insight into the habitat needs of many of our spring migratory birds. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to quiz an expert and discover the best birding around! Family friendly. On Friday, this tour will be around Burns and to the NORTH. On Saturday, this tour will be around Burns and to the SOUTH. A different experience each day! (One to the north and one south on Sunday.) Led by retired BLM biologists Matt Obradovich and Rick Hall. Each has over 30 years of experience in natural resources, birding, and conservation. VAN-GUIDED (you ride with us).
$45 / person, Saturday, April 18, 7 to 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. | Sunday, April 19, 7 to 10 a.m. | 11 spots available per tour
Departs from: Geno’s Youth Center – 135 E Washington St, Burns, OR, 97720
WORKING RANCH TOUR
Travel with members of the Harney County Cattlewomen to working cattle ranches just outside of Burns. You’ll have the opportunity to learn about local history, learn about the coexistence of wildlife and ranching in the Harney Basin and listen to local range scientists from the Eastern Oregon Agricultural Research Center. Bring water. A beef-centric lunch by the Harney County Cattlewomen is included with the tour. CARAVAN TOUR (We lead, you drive).
TOUR – $60 / person, Saturday, April 18, 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. | 18 spots available
Departs from: Geno’s Youth Center – 135 E Washington St, Burns, OR, 97720
LLAMA-POWERED BIRDING TOUR: DOUBLE-O UPLANDS
Explore the uplands of the Double-O area on this adventurous, full-day llama hiking tour. Each participant is paired with a friendly pack llama who carries your field gear and serves as your trail companion—often spotting wildlife like coyotes before people do. You’ll have the chance to help saddle your llama and are encouraged to lead them along the route.
We begin along the Goulden Canal, watching for ducks, herons, swallows, and other wetland wildlife, then climb the bluff above the lakes for sweeping panoramic views of the Harney Basin. On clear days, snow-capped Steens Mountain rises to the southeast while Harney and Malheur Lakes stretch out below – an unforgettable high desert vista. The route includes a cross-country ascent of about 350 feet at a 15% grade to roughly 4,500 feet, followed by a similar descent, making this a more physically demanding hike. Sturdy footwear and hiking experience are strongly recommended. Camera gear, scopes, and small folding chairs can be carried by the llamas if well secured. Travel from Burns is about 40 miles and offers birding along the way. Bring lunch, snacks, and drinks CARAVAN TOUR (We lead, you drive).
$100 / person, Saturday, April 18, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. | Spots available for 6 people
Departs from: Geno’s Youth Center – 135 E Washington St, Burns, OR, 97720
TRAVEL THROUGH TIME AT MALHEUR
Step back into the rich history of the Blitzen Valley with retired US Fish and Wildlife Service archaeologist Carla Burnside. On this immersive tour, you’ll explore how the ancestors of the Burns Paiute Tribe skillfully used the lakes, plants, and wildlife of the valley for survival and culture.
As we travel through the Blitzen Valley, Carla will guide you through the landscape’s fascinating geomorphology and uncover the dramatic changes brought by European settlement, revealing how these shifts continue to shape how the refuge is managed today. Along the way, enjoy opportunities for birdwatching in one of the region’s most vibrant wildlife habitats. This journey through time, connects the past and present while experiencing the sights, sounds, and stories of one of Oregon’s most remarkable wild landscapes.
$120 / person, Saturday, April 18, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. | Spots available for 9 people
Departs from: Geno’s Youth Center – 135 E Washington St, Burns, OR, 97720
RAPTOR ID TOUR
After the Raptor ID Workshop, take your new found skills out to the Harney Basin. Rick Vetter, retired U.S. FWS and U.S. Forest Service Biologist and Joan Suther, retired BLM Biologist and Manager, will take you to visit some of the Harney Basin’s best raptor hotspots. This tour will travel from Burns to Crane along Hwy 78, Then you’ll continue along Hwy 78, south to Crane, then to “Raptor Alley” which travels along agricultural fields on The Narrows-Princeton Rd. VAN-GUIDED (You ride with us)
$45 / person, Saturday, April 18, 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and Sunday, April 19, 7 to 10 a.m. | 9 spots available per tour
Departs from: Geno’s Youth Center – 135 E Washington St, Burns, OR, 97720
WONDERFUL WATERFOWL TOUR
Harney County is an important stopover for migratory birds, during this tour we will focus on the waterfowl that use this area as an important refueling site and resident birds that stay here to rear their young. We will look for the numerous species of waterfowl that use the flooded wet meadows in the Silvies floodplain. This tour is led by Melissa Petschauer, Harney Basin Ecological Coordinator for High Desert Partnership. Her career has been based in avian research with a focus on waterfowl. VAN-GUIDED (you ride with us).
$30 / person, Sunday, April 19, 7 to 9 a.m. | 9 spots available
Departs from: Geno’s Youth Center – 135 E Washington St, Burns, OR, 97720
LANDSCAPES OF MALHEUR TOUR
Discover how Malheur National Wildlife Refuge became the remarkable landscape you see today on this guided exploration of Malheur Lake and the Blitzen Valley with retired US Fish and Wildlife Service archaeologist Carla Burnside. This tour focuses on the powerful natural forces that have shaped the refuge over thousands of years, from ancient glaciers and massive pluvial lakes to wind, rain, ice, and ongoing human influence.
Along the way, we’ll “read the land” together, learning how geological processes created the wetlands, playas, valleys, and lakebeds that define Malheur. You’ll gain a deeper understanding of how these dynamic landscapes continue to evolve and how they support the incredible diversity of birds and wildlife found here today. This tour blends geology, natural history, and wildlife observation into an engaging, big-picture look at Malheur, offering a new way to see and appreciate the refuge beyond just what’s on the surface. VAN-GUIDED TOUR (you ride with us).
$60 / person, Sunday, April 19, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. | 9 spots available
Departs from: Harney County Chamber of Commerce, 484 N Broadway, Burns, OR 97720
HIKE THE WILD DOUBLE O TOUR
Unique unto itself, the “Wilds” of the Double O unit of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge are a blend of playas, dunes, meadows, lakes and ponds. Join Teresa Wicks with the Bird Alliance of Oregon, on this adventurous hike to the Stinking Lake Research Natural Area. Be the first to explore an area on the Refuge where natural features are preserved for scientific purposes and natural processes are allowed to dominate! Hiking will include sections off-trail and on uneven ground. Plan accordingly. Please note that weather and road conditions in April are unpredictable; if the area is inaccessible, we will explore other Refuge hot spots. VAN-GUIDED HIKING TOUR (you ride with us).
$80 / person, Sunday, April 19, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. | 10 spots available
Departs from: Geno’s Youth Center – 135 E Washington St, Burns, OR 97720
BIRDS, BABIES & LLAMAS…OH MY!
Visit the Burns Llama Trailblazers ranch, just three miles north of Burns, for a hands-on llama experience during spring migration. This peaceful meadow is alive with wildlife – curlews, ibises, and cranes often fly low overhead, Canada geese nest near the barns, and thousands of snow geese gather in the surrounding fields. On this relaxed three-hour tour, you can groom the llamas, lead them through simple obstacles, and walk them across the ranch. If babies (cria – not human babies!) have arrived, you’ll meet them up close and may even get to see them up close and personal. The setting offers fantastic opportunities for photography.
Our experienced hosts will also share stories and insights about llama care, history, breeding, and the many ways llamas are used – from 4-H programs and cart training to wilderness pack trips. With nearly 60 years of combined experience, the Burns Llama Trailblazers are happy to answer questions and introduce you to these gentle, curious animals in a fun, welcoming environment. CARAVAN TOUR (We lead, you drive)
$50 / person, Sunday, April 19, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. | 8 spots available
Departs from: Geno’s Youth Center – 135 E Washington St., Burns, OR, 97720