Burns is located east of Bend, and just south of the Ochoco National Forest near Harney and Malheur Lakes. The junction of Highway 20, which roughly follows the old Central Oregon Emigrant Trail, and US Hwy 395 in Burns have made the area a transportation hub. The Burns Paiute Indian reservation is on the north edge of town. Burns is the county seat of Harney County and a virtual twin city to Hines.
In the early years of the Oregon Trail there were three wagon trains that came through this area. Leaders of these wagons were Stephen Meek (1845), Elijah Elliott (1853) and William Macy (1854).
Burns is a friendly cowboy town. The downtown area has many opportunities for viewing arrowhead, rock and artifact exhibits at the many galleries and stores. The abundance of fossils, agate and thunder eggs attract rockhounds from far and wide. For breathtaking scenery, or for Hiking, Fishing, Camping, boating and backpacking in its backcountry areas, Burns and Harney County are the place to visit.