# Alvord Hot Springs, Oregon

Alvord Hot Springs in Oregon. 174°F (79°C). Short Walk. Harney County.

- Page: https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/oregon/alvord-hot-springs
- Source: Soaking Springs, researched and maintained by Armen Suny
- Updated: 2026-09-14

## Can you soak at Alvord Hot Springs?

Not at the source. The water leaves the ground at 174°F, hot enough to burn skin. It's a short walk from the road.

## Key facts

| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Source water temperature | 174°F (79°C) (USGS record; developed pools are often cooled) |
| Elevation | 4,042 ft |
| Access | Short Walk, 333 ft from the nearest road (Fields-Folly Farm Road) |
| County | Harney County |
| Nearest town | Hines |
| Coordinates | 42.54400, -118.53300 |
| Best months to soak | December, January, February (largest gap between water and average air temperature) |
| Nearest campground | South Steens Campground, 12.6 mi |

## Soaking safety

**Very Hot Source, Use Extreme Caution.** At 174°F, the source water at Alvord Hot Springs is hot enough to cause burns. Some hot springs this hot have cooler side pools or downstream areas suitable for soaking. Always test the water temperature before entering.

## About Alvord Hot Springs

Alvord Hot Springs comes out of the ground at 174 degrees, far past anything a body tolerates. It lies in Harney County in the southeast corner of Oregon, about seventy five miles from Hines, and Wikipedia carries a brief entry on it as a geothermal spring in that county. Landowner and public access are both absent from what was recorded, which matters for a spring this well known by name.

Fields-Folly Farm Road runs within about a hundred yards, so the approach is a short walk from the roadside at a little over four thousand feet. This is dry country. Expect snow on the ground for part of the winter but not a great deal of it, and little rain the rest of the year. South Steens Campground, some thirteen miles distant, is the closest listed camping.

Wikipedia's entry is a single line placing Alvord Hot Springs in Harney County, southeastern Oregon, as a geothermal spring. The USGS carries the spring under its own site identifier.

December through February come out on top in the rankings. The source water will scald, so do not get in anywhere the heat has not been tamed first, and keep an eye on anyone with you. Access and ownership were not written down. South Steens is where you would sleep if you stay out here.

## Nearby

- Nearest city page: [Hot springs near Hines](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/near/oregon/hines), 0 mi away
- State page: [Hot springs in Oregon](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/oregon)
- [Mickey Springs, OR](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/oregon/mickey-springs): 187°F source, Short Walk, near Hines, Harney County
- [Hot Springs, OR](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/oregon/hot-springs-harney-county): 207°F source, Short Walk, near Hines, Harney County
- [Borax Lake (Hot Lake), OR](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/oregon/borax-lake-hot-lake): 97°F source, Short Walk, near Hines, Harney County
- [Unnamed thermal spring, OR](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/oregon/unnamed-spring-harney-county-3): 90°F source, Short Walk, near Hines, Harney County
- [Unnamed thermal spring, OR](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/oregon/unnamed-spring-humboldt-county-4): 100°F source, Short Walk, near Winnemucca, Humboldt County
- [Flagstaff Butte Hot Spring, OR](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/oregon/flagstaff-butte-hot-spring): 126°F source, Roadside, near Winnemucca, Humboldt County

## Questions

**What is the water temperature at Alvord Hot Springs?**
Alvord Hot Springs has a water temperature of 174°F (79°C). This is considered a hot spring, well above body temperature.

**Where is Alvord Hot Springs located?**
Alvord Hot Springs is located in Harney County, Oregon at 4,042 feet elevation, near Hines. Coordinates: 42.5440°N, 118.5330°W.

**How do I get to Alvord Hot Springs?**
Alvord Hot Springs has Short Walk road access, with the nearest road being Fields-Folly Farm Road (333 ft from the road).

**Can I camp near Alvord Hot Springs?**
Yes, South Steens Campground is located nearby (12.6 miles away).

**Is it safe to soak at Alvord Hot Springs?**
No, not at the source. The water at Alvord Hot Springs reaches 174°F, which can cause severe burns within seconds. Look for cooled side pools or downstream stretches, and test with a hand before anything else.

## Sources

- USGS thermal springs records, Water Quality Portal lab analyses, OpenStreetMap, Wikipedia/Wikidata, NOAA climate normals
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alvord_Hot_Springs