Double O Spring
Double O Spring emerges at 74°F on Bureau of Land Management public lands in Harney County, flowing at 4,129 feet elevation with recent USGS measurements confirming 23°C water temperature. The spring flows 24.2°F above the 49.8°F ambient air temperature, accessible via a 486-meter walk from the nearest road through high desert terrain with open public access.
Located in the Burns Three Rivers Field Office area, the spring emerges in classic Basin and Range topography where fault-block mountains alternate with broad valleys. The surrounding landscape features sagebrush steppe and juniper woodlands at 4,129 feet elevation, with annual precipitation of just 12.1 inches and snowfall of 25.1 inches. Volcanic outcrops and basalt formations dot the terrain, evidence of the region's geothermal activity. The spring feeds seasonal wetlands that support wildlife in an otherwise arid environment where summer temperatures regularly exceed 85°F.
The half-kilometer walk from the access road crosses unimproved terrain best navigated in dry seasons (June-October) when ground conditions are firm. Bring water, as the thermal spring is not potable despite its moderate temperature. The spring's open access status makes it more visitor-friendly than restricted refuge springs, though facilities are nonexistent. Check with Burns BLM office for current road conditions, as winter snow and spring mud can make access roads impassable.
The spring shares its 'Double O' designation with the nearby barnyard spring, likely named for a local ranch brand that operated in this region during homesteading periods. The area saw settlement in the late 1800s as ranchers claimed water sources for livestock operations. BLM acquired the parcel as part of consolidating public domain lands, retaining the historical naming convention that persists on modern maps and spring inventories despite limited documented history about the original ranch.
The water at Double O Spring is neutral (pH 7.0).
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Double O Spring is road-accessible, so you can bring more gear.
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