Kahneeta Hot Springs
Kahneeta Hot Springs flows at 126°F on Warm Springs Reservation tribal land at 1,450 feet elevation, sitting just 6 meters from Agency Hot Springs Road. The spring registers 73 degrees above ambient in waters under Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs sovereign control with unknown public access status.
The spring emerges at low elevation where the Deschutes River has carved through basalt layers in central Oregon. This zone averages 54°F annually with 19 inches of precipitation and 25 inches of snow, supporting juniper woodlands transitioning to ponderosa pine at higher elevations. Trout Creek enters the Lower Deschutes Wild and Scenic River 10 kilometers southwest.
Kahneeta means 'little root digger' in the Sahaptin language, referencing traditional plant gathering practices. The spring has served tribal members for centuries before reservation establishment in 1855. A commercial resort operated at the site for decades under tribal ownership, though operational status has changed over time. Access policies remain under tribal jurisdiction.
Contact Warm Springs tribal government regarding current access policies before visiting. The spring sits on sovereign reservation land where tribal regulations supersede federal rules. Agency Hot Springs Road provides vehicle access though permission requirements apply. Trout Creek Campground offers public camping 10 kilometers southwest along the Deschutes River with 21 sites and year-round access.
Is Kahneeta Hot Springs worth visiting?
Best for
- Hot spring soaking
- Easy day trips
- Overnight camping trips
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Featuring a boat launch, a seasonal ranger station and trailhead, Trout Creek campground offers 21 campsites and three group-use campsites along the Lower Deschutes Wild and Scenic River. Some pull-through campsites as well as day-use parking are available in the recreation site. Access to the 7-mile Trout Creek Trail and Trout Creek Climbing Area originate at the south end of the campground.Know Before You Go:The campground is open year round but no potable water is available.Cell phone serv...