Neal Hot Springs

Malheur County, Oregon · Near Vale
44.0230°N, 117.4600°W · 2,560 ft
189°F 54°F air · Good soaking weather 2,560 ft Roadside
Very Hot Source, Use Extreme Caution

At 189°F, the source water at Neal 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.

Neal Hot Springs sits in Malheur County about eleven miles from Vale, and the water comes out near boiling, scalding by any measure. It is a USGS thermal site. The record does not say who owns the land or whether the public can visit, and there is no mention of a developed pool.

Location

Bully Creek Road passes within ten feet of the spring, so this is as roadside as it gets. The elevation is low desert, around twenty-five hundred feet. Snow is scant, a bit over a foot in an average winter, and annual precipitation is about ten inches. Land ownership is blank in the record, as is the land unit.

The coldest months are the ones listed as best. Water this hot will burn on contact, so stay clear of the source and anything it feeds. No campground is on record nearby. Access is unknown, so find out whether the spring is on private ground before pulling over.

Monthly Climate
29°
Jan
36°
Feb
45°
Mar
53°
Apr
62°
May
71°
Jun
82°
Jul
81°
Aug
69°
Sep
54°
Oct
40°
Nov
30°
Dec
Annual Precip: 9.6 in Annual Snow: 16.4 in
Best Time to Visit
January Air 29°F · Water 189°F · +160° contrast
December Air 30°F · Water 189°F · +159° contrast
February Air 36°F · Water 189°F · +153° contrast
January offers 53°F more contrast than July
Current Conditions
54°F
Mostly Clear N 0.0 mph 88% Good soaking weather
Labor Day 70° Low 47° Mostly Sunny 1% precip
Spring is +119° warmer
Tuesday 74° Low 49° Sunny
Spring is +115° warmer
Wednesday 79° Low 52° Sunny
Spring is +110° warmer
Thursday 84° Low 55° Sunny
Spring is +105° warmer
Friday 78° Low 57° Sunny 1% precip
Spring is +111° warmer
USGS Field Measurements
Recent Temperature 199.4°F (93.0°C) Measured Aug 20, 1991
Temperature
189°F
Warm Hot Boiling
Water Temp 189°F (87°C)
Avg Air Temp 54°F
Above Ambient +135°F
Great soaking conditions September
Access
Road Access Roadside
Nearest Road Bully Creek Road
Distance to Road 10 ft
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the water temperature at Neal Hot Springs?
Neal Hot Springs has a water temperature of 189°F (87°C). This is considered a hot spring, well above body temperature.
Where is Neal Hot Springs located?
Neal Hot Springs is located in Malheur County, Oregon at 2,560 feet elevation, near Vale. Coordinates: 44.0230°N, 117.4600°W.
How do I get to Neal Hot Springs?
Neal Hot Springs has Roadside road access, with the nearest road being Bully Creek Road (10 ft from the road).
Is it safe to soak at Neal Hot Springs?
No, not at the source. The water at Neal Hot Springs reaches 189°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 NWIS