2017 Map of Folly Farm

About this map

Folly Farm sits at the heart of this high-desert landscape in southeastern Oregon, marking a point of human settlement between the massive alkali basins and the rising peaks of the Sheepshead Mountains. The map reveals a delicate balance of seasonal water resources, from the dry Duck Creek Lakebed and the expanse of Barren Valley to isolated points like Black Bull Spring and Porcupine Reservoir. The terrain is defined by dramatic elevation changes, with the high point of Indian Creek Butte overlooking the broad plains of Folly Farm Flat and Sunrise Valley. A network of unpaved local roads, including the Crowley-Riverside Rd and Fields-Denio Rd, trace the natural contours of the land, connecting remote ranching operations like the Black Bull Spring Ranch Airport to the surrounding canyons and passes. This 2017 survey documents the enduring pastoral character of Malheur and Harney counties, where the high-altitude topography of Baker Pass and Lambing Canyon dictates the rhythm of rural life.