Bingham Springs

Umatilla County, Oregon · Near Milton-Freewater
45.7410°N, 118.2330°W · 2,156 ft
93°F 40°F air · Good soaking weather 2,156 ft Short Walk Camping nearby (7.0 mi)
Aerial view of the ground around Bingham Springs LiDAR bare-earth view of the same ground around Bingham Springs
Aerial LiDAR bare earth

Drag the handle to compare the two views. The orange dot marks the spring, in a frame about three quarters of a mile wide.

Bingham Springs, in Umatilla County, Oregon, about fifteen miles from Milton-Freewater, measured 93 degrees, which is soaking warm. A 2018 sample found the water alkaline with a moderate mineral load. No owner is named and public access is not on file. This is one of the few springs in this stretch of the record with a recent chemistry reading.

Location

Bingham Road passes within about two tenths of a mile, so reaching the springs is a short walk. The elevation is around twenty two hundred feet, low for the region. For eastern Oregon this is wet ground, more than six feet of snow in a winter and rain through the rest of the year. Woodward Campground is about seven miles away.

December through February rank highest. The water is at a comfortable soaking temperature. Ownership and access are blank, so confirm before visiting. Woodward Campground is the nearest camping on file.

Terrain

Aircraft with laser scanners measured this ground to within inches. The scan strips out trees and buildings, leaving the bare shape of the land around Bingham Springs.

Setting
Hillside
The spring sits on a steep slope that climbs to the south.
Highest ground nearby
875 ft above the spring
Within a quarter mile, to the south
Cross-section through the spring

A slice through the ground from northwest to southeast, about 0.6 miles end to end.

Elevation data: USGS 3D Elevation Program. Aerial imagery: USGS The National Map. Public domain.

Heat Below
67 milliwatts per square meter of heat flow

That's close to the US average of 65. It's higher than at 3% of the springs on this site.

Heat flow measures the warmth working its way up through the ground from deep inside the earth. Where it runs high, rain and snowmelt that seep down through cracks in the rock come back up hot.

Heat flow estimate: Stanford Thermal Earth Model (Aljubran & Horne, 2024), CC BY 4.0.

Monthly Climate
34°
Jan
35°
Feb
42°
Mar
48°
Apr
57°
May
63°
Jun
73°
Jul
73°
Aug
64°
Sep
51°
Oct
41°
Nov
33°
Dec
Annual Precip: 35.3 in Annual Snow: 77.8 in
Best Time to Visit
December Air 33°F · Water 93°F · +60° contrast
January Air 34°F · Water 93°F · +59° contrast
February Air 35°F · Water 93°F · +58° contrast
December offers 40°F more contrast than August
Current Conditions
40°F
S 0.0 mph 90% Good soaking weather
Tuesday 66° Low 46° Partly Sunny 7% precip
Spring is +27° warmer
Wednesday 68° Low 47° Sunny 2% precip
Spring is +25° warmer
Thursday 70° Low 48° Slight Chance Rain Showers 22% precip
Spring is +23° warmer
Friday 75° Low 49° Sunny 8% precip
Spring is +18° warmer
Saturday 79° Low 50° Sunny 1% precip
Spring is +14° warmer
Water Chemistry Sampled 2018-09-19

The water at Bingham Springs is alkaline (pH 8.6) with 482 mg/L total dissolved solids. It is notably rich in chloride (natural antiseptic with skin health benefits).

pH 8.6 Alkaline
pH influences mineral absorption through skin
Higher mineral concentration for therapeutic soaking
Calcium 18 mg/L
May support bone density and joint health
Magnesium 0 mg/L
Known for muscle relaxation and stress relief
Sodium 126 mg/L
Supports circulation and skin hydration
Sulfate 2 mg/L
Traditionally used for skin conditions and inflammation
Chloride 194 mg/L
Natural antiseptic with skin health benefits
Nearby Camping
Nearby Camping
Woodward Campground 7.0 mi away
Reservable Yes
Reserve on Recreation.gov →
Temperature
93°F
Warm Hot Boiling
Water Temp 93°F (34°C)
Avg Air Temp 51°F
Above Ambient +42°F
Mild soaking conditions September
Access
Road Access Short Walk
Nearest Road Bingham Road
Distance to Road 0.2 mi
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the water temperature at Bingham Springs?
Bingham Springs has a water temperature of 93°F (34°C). This is a warm thermal spring.
Where is Bingham Springs located?
Bingham Springs is located in Umatilla County, Oregon at 2,156 feet elevation, near Milton-Freewater. Coordinates: 45.7410°N, 118.2330°W.
How do I get to Bingham Springs?
Bingham Springs has Short Walk road access, with the nearest road being Bingham Road (0.2 mi from the road).
Can I camp near Bingham Springs?
Yes, Woodward Campground is located nearby (7.0 miles away).
What minerals are in the water at Bingham Springs?
Water chemistry analysis shows the presence of pH, Total Dissolved Solids, Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Sulfate, Chloride. The pH is 8.6 (alkaline). Total dissolved solids measure 482 mg/L.
Sources: USGS NWIS