# Unnamed thermal spring, Oregon

Unnamed thermal spring in Oregon. 144°F (62°C). Short Walk · Public Land. Harney County.

- Page: https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/oregon/unnamed-spring-harney-county-5
- Source: Soaking Springs, researched and maintained by Armen Suny
- Updated: 2026-09-14

## Can you soak at this spring?

Not at the source. The water leaves the ground at 144°F, hot enough to burn skin. It's a short walk from the road.

## Key facts

| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Source water temperature | 144°F (62°C) (USGS record; developed pools are often cooled) |
| pH | 8.2 (Slightly Alkaline) |
| Elevation | 3,520 ft |
| Access | Short Walk · Public Land, 0.8 mi from the nearest road |
| Land | Warm Springs Reservoir, Bureau of Reclamation |
| County | Harney County |
| Nearest town | Burns |
| Coordinates | 43.64600, -118.25100 |
| Best months to soak | January, December, February (largest gap between water and average air temperature) |
| Nearest campground | Chukar Park Campground, 11.9 mi |

## Soaking safety

**Very Hot Source, Use Extreme Caution.** At 144°F, the source water at This 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 Unnamed thermal spring

On Bureau of Reclamation ground at Warm Springs Reservoir, in Harney County, Oregon, sits an unnamed thermal point that the survey logged as scalding. Burns is the nearest town and it is a bit over 40 miles off. The water comes out well past anything you could put a hand in, so this is a place to look at and keep your distance from. Access is listed as open.

The reservoir lies at moderate elevation in the high desert, and the record shows a dry year with modest snow, so winter is rarely the obstacle it would be higher in the mountains. Reaching the spring means leaving the car and walking most of a mile. The road it leaves from is unnamed on file. The land is managed as part of the reservoir, which is about all the record says about the immediate surroundings.

Winter months carry the best rating on file, December through February. Plan for a short walk in from the road. Chukar Park Campground is the nearest camping listed, around a dozen miles away. The water chemistry comes from a single sample taken in 1977, so treat the pH reading as historical. Do not try to touch the water; at this temperature it burns skin on contact.

## Water chemistry

Lab sample from 1977-06-29 (Water Quality Portal).

| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| pH | 8.2 |

## Nearby

- Nearest city page: [Hot springs near Vale](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/near/oregon/vale), 48 mi away
- State page: [Hot springs in Oregon](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/oregon)
- [Juntura Warm Spring 2, OR](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/oregon/juntura-warm-spring-2): 95°F source, pH 9.0, Short Walk, near Vale, Malheur County
- [Juntura Warm Spring 1, OR](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/oregon/juntura-warm-spring-1): 77°F source, pH 9.0, Roadside, near Vale, Malheur County
- [Luce Hot Springs, OR](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/oregon/luce-hot-springs): 145°F source, Roadside, near Burns, Harney County
- [Warm Spring, OR](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/oregon/warm-spring-malheur-county): Warm, pH 9.0, Roadside, near Vale, Malheur County
- [Altnow Hot Spring, OR](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/oregon/altnow-hot-spring): Warm, Roadside, near Burns, Harney County
- [Sitz Warm Spring, OR](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/oregon/sitz-warm-spring): Warm, Short Walk, near Burns, Harney County

## Questions

**What is the water temperature at ?**
 has a water temperature of 144°F (62°C). This is considered a hot spring, well above body temperature.

**Where is  located?**
 is located in Harney County, Oregon at 3,520 feet elevation, near Burns. Coordinates: 43.6460°N, 118.2510°W.

**How do I get to ?**
 has Short Walk road access (0.8 mi from the road).

**Is  free to visit?**
 has Open access. It is managed by Bureau of Reclamation.

**Can I camp near ?**
Yes, Chukar Park Campground is located nearby (11.9 miles away). $5 per night..

**What minerals are in the water at ?**
Water chemistry analysis shows the presence of pH. The pH is 8.2 (slightly alkaline).

**Is it safe to soak at ?**
No, not at the source. The water at  reaches 144°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