Desert Canyon Golf Resort

Desert Canyon Golf Resort sits in the high desert of central Washington, carved into the dramatic basalt cliffs and sagebrush-covered terrain above the Columbia River near Orondo. Designed by Jack Frei and PGA Tour player Rick Fehr, the course opened in the mid-1990s and takes full advantage of the region's stark, arid landscape. The routing works through elevation changes of several hundred feet, with holes playing along ridgelines, down into canyons, and across natural ravines that define the property's rugged character. The layout features wide fairways that accommodate the persistent winds common to this part of the Columbia Basin, though the desert vegetation and rocky outcroppings frame playing corridors and create strategic interest. Several holes offer expansive views across the river valley and surrounding plateau country. The design incorporates native grasses and minimal rough, keeping play relatively straightforward while the terrain itself provides the primary challenge. Elevation changes affect club selection throughout the round, and the firm, fast conditions typical of desert golf reward ground game approaches. Desert Canyon operates as a public resort facility, drawing golfers traveling through central Washington and those seeking an alternative to the lusher, tree-lined courses west of the Cascades. The setting remains remote and relatively undeveloped, preserving the sense of playing golf in genuine high desert country. The course represents one of the few desert-style layouts in the Pacific Northwest, offering a distinct experience shaped by geology and climate rather than manufactured features.