Steens Mountain High Altitude Running Camp

Steens Mountain High Altitude Running Camp focuses on running, hiking, exploring, distance training, distance racing, team building, the Steens Mountain Olympics, and backpacking. The camp takes place in 7-day sessions and includes group and individual instruction in all areas of distance training and racing, with emphasis on performance improvement through self reliance, personal accountability, and teamwork strategies. The camp is designed to give campers a realistic wilderness running and camping experience at high altitudes and asks campers to adapt to the lack of urban conveniences not found in the outdoors.

• Ages: 13–18 years old
• Schedule: Two 7-day sessions in 2026 (Session 1: July 12–18; Session 2: July 19–25)

Steens Mountain High Altitude Running Camp has been developing champions since 1975. Its mission states that the major objectives are to enjoy and respect wilderness beauty through running, hiking, and exploring at high altitudes. The Oregon Desert Land Trust out of Bend, Oregon, wrote a biography on Steens Camp titled “Be the Mountain.”

One parent testimonial thanks the camp for what it has done with kids and mentions that kids need people there to inspire and challenge them, noting appreciation for the impact on their own children, their team, and the coaches they have brought over the years. Another testimonial thanks the camp staff for creating and maintaining high and challenging standards. Camp information advises families to be prepared for drastic weather changes, noting that it is not uncommon for a 75° day to turn into a cold rainy day in just a matter of hours, and to be equipped with the items listed in the camp’s “What to bring” guidance.

Last updated December 28, 2025.