# Leithead Hot Spring, Oregon

Leithead Hot Spring in Oregon. 162°F (72°C). Short Walk. Lake County.

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

## Can you soak at Leithead Hot Spring?

Not at the source. The water leaves the ground at 162°F, hot enough to burn skin. It's a short walk from the road.

## Key facts

| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Source water temperature | 162°F (72°C) (USGS record; developed pools are often cooled) |
| Elevation | 4,779 ft |
| Access | Short Walk, 485 ft from the nearest road |
| County | Lake County |
| Nearest town | Lakeview |
| Coordinates | 42.16200, -120.34400 |
| Best months to soak | December, January, February (largest gap between water and average air temperature) |
| Nearest campground | Aspen Cabin (Fremont-Winema National Forest, OR), 11.8 mi |

## Soaking safety

**Very Hot Source, Use Extreme Caution.** At 162°F, the source water at Leithead Hot Spring 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 Leithead Hot Spring

Leithead Hot Spring is two miles from Lakeview in Lake County and comes out scalding, far beyond sitting-in temperature. A photo is attached to the record. Access terms and ownership are unknown here. Nothing on record mentions cooler water downstream.

A short walk of under five hundred feet from an unnamed road. It sits high, a hair under forty-eight hundred feet. Snow totals near five and a half feet most winters, with moderate rain otherwise. No land unit is on record. Lakeview is close for supplies.

Midwinter is what the record recommends. The Fremont-Winema's Aspen Cabin is about twelve miles out, the only camping on record. The water will scald; stay clear of the source. Access is unknown, so look for posting. With the town this near, the spring is easy to reach and easy to get hurt at, which is the whole story in two lines.

## Nearby

- Nearest city page: [Hot springs near Tulelake](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/near/oregon/tulelake), 48 mi away
- State page: [Hot springs in Oregon](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/oregon)
- [Barry Ranch Hot Springs, OR](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/oregon/barry-ranch-hot-springs): 190°F source, Roadside, near Lakeview, Lake County
- [Hunters Hot Springs, OR](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/oregon/hunters-hot-springs-2): 205°F source, Roadside, near Lakeview, Lake County
- [White Rock Ranch Hot Spring, OR](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/oregon/white-rock-ranch-hot-spring): 71°F source, Roadside, near Lakeview, Lake County
- [Bean Hot Spring, OR](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/oregon/bean-hot-spring): 69°F source, Short Walk, near Lakeview, Lake County
- [Hallinan Spring, OR](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/oregon/hallinan-spring): 113°F source, Roadside, near Lakeview, Lake County
- [Fort Bidwell Hot Spring, CA](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/california/fort-bidwell-hot-spring): 113°F source, Roadside, near Lakeview, Lake County

## Questions

**What is the water temperature at Leithead Hot Spring?**
Leithead Hot Spring has a water temperature of 162°F (72°C). This is considered a hot spring, well above body temperature.

**Where is Leithead Hot Spring located?**
Leithead Hot Spring is located in Lake County, Oregon at 4,779 feet elevation, near Lakeview. Coordinates: 42.1620°N, 120.3440°W.

**How do I get to Leithead Hot Spring?**
Leithead Hot Spring has Short Walk road access (485 ft from the road).

**Can I camp near Leithead Hot Spring?**
Yes, Aspen Cabin (Fremont Winema National Forest, Or) is located nearby (11.8 miles away).

**Is it safe to soak at Leithead Hot Spring?**
No, not at the source. The water at Leithead Hot Spring reaches 162°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