# Unnamed thermal spring, Oregon

Unnamed thermal spring in Oregon. 154°F (68°C). Short Walk · Public Land. Harney County.

- Page: https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/oregon/unnamed-spring-harney-county-6
- 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 154°F, hot enough to burn skin. Access is restricted. It's a short walk from the road. It's on US Fish and Wildlife Service land.

## Key facts

| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Source water temperature | 154°F (68°C) (USGS record; developed pools are often cooled) |
| pH | 7.2 (Neutral) |
| Elevation | 4,122 ft |
| Access | Short Walk · Public Land, 0.2 mi from the nearest road (South Harney Lake Lane) |
| Land | Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, US Fish and Wildlife Service |
| County | Harney County |
| Nearest town | Hines |
| Coordinates | 43.18500, -119.05800 |
| Best months to soak | January, December, February (largest gap between water and average air temperature) |

## Soaking safety

**Very Hot Source, Use Extreme Caution.** At 154°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

This unnamed thermal point sits inside Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in Harney County, roughly 26 miles from Hines. It runs scalding. Access is on record as restricted, which on a federal wildlife refuge usually means the refuge sets the terms and you should ask before going anywhere near it. Nothing on file suggests anyone soaks here, and the temperature alone would rule that out.

High desert basin here, a little over four thousand feet up, light on snow and dry all round. South Harney Lake Lane runs closest, and the point sits about a fifth of a mile from it, so on paper the walk is short. This ground is Fish and Wildlife Service land, run as refuge, which means wildlife rules come before anything a visitor wants.

December through February get the best marks on file. Access is restricted, so contact the refuge before making a plan around this spot. Water at this temperature causes burns instantly; keep hands and feet clear of any outflow. A sample taken in the summer of 2018 gave a neutral pH, and that is the most recent chemistry on file. No campground is listed nearby.

## Water chemistry

Lab sample from 2018-07-16 (Water Quality Portal).

| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| pH | 7.2 |

## Nearby

- Nearest city page: [Hot springs near Hines](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/near/oregon/hines), 52 mi away
- State page: [Hot springs in Oregon](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/oregon)
- [Unnamed thermal spring, OR](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/oregon/unnamed-spring-harney-county-8): 92°F source, pH 7.2, Short Walk, near Hines, Harney County
- [Unnamed thermal spring, OR](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/oregon/unnamed-spring-harney-county-10): 70°F source, Hike, near Hines, Harney County
- [Unnamed thermal spring, OR](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/oregon/unnamed-spring-harney-county-7): 108°F source, Short Walk, near Hines, Harney County
- [Unnamed thermal spring, OR](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/oregon/unnamed-spring-harney-county-9): 104°F source, Hike, near Hines, Harney County
- [Dunn Spring, OR](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/oregon/dunn-spring): 70°F source, Hike, near Hines, Harney County
- [Hughet Spring, OR](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/oregon/hughet-spring): 68°F source, TDS 190 mg/L, Short Walk, near Hines, Harney County

## Questions

**What is the water temperature at ?**
 has a water temperature of 154°F (68°C). This is considered a hot spring, well above body temperature.

**Where is  located?**
 is located in Harney County, Oregon at 4,122 feet elevation, near Hines. Coordinates: 43.1850°N, 119.0580°W.

**How do I get to ?**
 has Short Walk road access, with the nearest road being South Harney Lake Lane (0.2 mi from the road).

**Is  free to visit?**
 has Restricted access. It is managed by US Fish and Wildlife Service.

**What minerals are in the water at ?**
Water chemistry analysis shows the presence of pH. The pH is 7.2 (neutral).

**Is it safe to soak at ?**
No, not at the source. The water at  reaches 154°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