Barry Ranch Hot Springs
Barry Ranch Hot Springs flows at 190°F just 98 feet from US Highway 395, ranking among Oregon's hottest roadside-accessible thermal features. The spring emerges at 4,746 feet elevation in Lake County near Lakeview, flowing 142 degrees above the ambient air temperature of 47.6°F. This is a drive-up thermal feature requiring minimal effort to access.
The spring sits in the high desert country of south-central Oregon at the edge of the Great Basin, where sagebrush and juniper dominate the vegetation at elevations approaching 5,000 feet. US Highway 395 runs north-south through this landscape, connecting Lakeview to points north in the ranching country of Lake County. The terrain receives 19.6 inches of annual precipitation, with 68.3 inches falling as snow during the winter months. The immediate area reflects typical high desert land use, with cattle ranching operations scattered across the benchlands and valley floors.
The spring takes its name from the Barry family ranch that operated in this section of Lake County. Documentation of the spring's early use remains limited in published sources. The 1980 NOAA thermal springs survey cataloged the feature at its current high temperature, though historical development details have not been widely recorded. The spring continues to flow on what was historically private ranch land in the Lakeview vicinity.
Visit during summer and fall when Highway 395 remains fully open and temperatures moderate. Winter brings heavy snow to this 4,746-foot elevation, making access challenging despite the roadside location. The extreme 190°F water temperature makes direct contact dangerous without cooling. The nearest developed camping lies 12 miles distant at Aspen Cabin in the Fremont-Winema National Forest, requiring Recreation.gov reservations.
Is Barry Ranch Hot Springs worth visiting?
Best for
- Observing powerful hot springs
- Easy day trips
- Overnight camping trips
Not ideal for
- Casual soaking
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Overview Historic Aspen Cabin is nestled in a forest of fir, pine, and aspen, and provides an ideal setting for guests seeking relaxation and recreation in the Fremont-Winema National Forest. It was built in 1930 and originally used as an administrative cabin and fire guard station by U.S. Forest Service employees. It also served as a warming shelter for snowmobilers and cross-country skiers during the 1990s. Today, the cabin offers guests a secluded getaway in a landscape abundant with wil...