This public land offers a number of recreational opportunities including hiking, hunting, fishing, bird watching, and wildlife viewing.

[2][10] During the Pleistocene Epoch, the Catlow Valley was covered by a single large lake, approximately 50 miles (80 km) by length and width.

However, evidence of the ancient lake can still be seen in the form of shoreline erosion marks, gravel bars, and wave-cut terraces around the edge of the valley, especially along the base of Catlow Rim.

These include seasonal lakes, marshes, riparian areas, grasslands, sage steppe, dry juniper forests, and rimrock.

The rim is cut by canyons that channel runoff into small man-made reservoirs and shallow natural marshes along the edges of the valley floor.

[9][15] In addition, greasewood, shadscale, spiny hopsage, winterfat, and basin wildrye can be found in parts of the valley.

Large mammals found in the valley include mule deer, pronghorn, bighorn sheep, coyotes, bobcats, and cougars.

The valley also hosts mountain chickadees, Cassin's finches, black-headed grosbeaks, green-tailed towhees, yellow-rumped warblers, MacGillivray's warblers, mountain bluebirds, white-headed woodpeckers, California quail, mourning doves, magpies, burrowing owls, flammulated owls, and northern harriers.

[11][22] When he first excavated Catlow Cave in 1934, archaeologist Luther S. Cressman found evidence of Native American habitation dating back to the Paleo-Indian period (8,000 to 12,000 years ago) as well as artifacts from the Early Archaic period (6,000 to 8,000 years ago).

Later excavations found stone tools, baskets, woven mats, sandals, rope, and fragments of leather.

[10][23] The Skull Creek dunes are another archaeological site that provides evidence of early Native American habitation in the Catlow Valley.

[24] Prior to the arrival of white settlers, the Catlow Valley area was occupied by the Northern Paiute people.

[25] In 1864, Lieutenant Colonel Charles S. Drew of the 1st Oregon Cavalry passed just south of the Catlow Valley while on a long-range reconnaissance patrol for the United States Army.

[26] In 1865, the United States Army decided that it needed a fort in southeastern Oregon to facilitate the interdiction of Indian raiding parties passing through the area.

Citing the camp's poor location, Crook ordered that the post be moved to the west side of the Warner Valley.

Congress allowed the construction company to claim three sections of land for every mile of road built.

In 1876, the two Shirk brothers established a ranch in the Catlow Valley, near water sources around Home and Threemile creeks.

While a jury decided it was self-defense, the Shirk brothers moved their main ranch to a location south of Beatys Butte to minimize future conflict with French and his employees.

People's interest in the area was increased by newspaper articles promising that a railroad would soon be built through the valley.

[39] Delaine was located at the west edge of the valley on a lower slope of Hart Mountain, in Lake County.

The Blitzen post office continued to operate as a small rural delivery site until it was closed in 1943.

The spring feeds numerous ponds and meadows, providing habitat for wildlife as well as productive range land for cattle.

[47] In 2007, the Roaring Springs Ranch won the Environmental Stewardship Award sponsored by the National Cattlemen's Beef Association and the United States Department of Agriculture.

These public lands offer a number of recreational opportunities including hiking, hunting, fishing, bird watching, wildlife viewing, photography, and camping.

To reach the Catlow Valley from Burns, follow the High Desert Discovery Scenic Byway south.

Continue on Route 205 through the small unincorporated community of Frenchglen and over a low pass approximately 4 miles (6.4 km) into the northeast corner of the Catlow Valley.

It follows Catlow Rim approximately 35 miles (56 km) before turning east towards Fields, located on the far side of Steens Mountain.

After crossing the valley, the road leads west to the Hart Mountain National Antelope Refuge, 41 miles (66 km) from the Route 205 junction.

This road is not passable year-round; therefore, travelers should contact the local Bureau of Land Management office in Burns or the Hart Mountain National Antelope Refuge headquarters before taking it.

There is no gas available along the road until the traveler reaches Plush, 24 miles (39 km) west the refuge headquarters.