Crystal Spring

Klamath County, Oregon · Near Altamont
42.1610°N, 121.6270°W · 4,119 ft
78°F 36°F air · Good soaking weather 4,119 ft Short Walk Camping nearby (21.4 mi)
Aerial view of the ground around Crystal Spring LiDAR bare-earth view of the same ground around Crystal Spring
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.

Crystal Spring is a tepid spring in Klamath County, Oregon, six miles or so from Altamont. The water is lukewarm, the kind you notice as warm in cold weather and not otherwise. Nobody has logged an owner or an access status for it, so whether the public can reach it is unsettled. No USGS site number is attached to this one.

Location

Crystal Springs Road runs past a short distance off, under a quarter mile. Mid elevation, dry, with a modest snowpack in winter. Topsy Campground is the camping the record pairs with this spring, twenty-one miles or so away, which is far enough that the pairing is more bookkeeping than recommendation.

The record gives winter as the best season; snowfall is moderate. The water is too cool for a proper soak. Nothing on file establishes who owns the land, and nothing establishes access, so confirm both before driving out. No temperature sample date is listed and no water chemistry exists for the spring.

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 Crystal Spring.

Setting
Gentle slope
The ground tilts gently up to the east.
Highest ground nearby
200 ft above the spring
Within a quarter mile, to the east
Cross-section through the spring

A slice through the ground from west to east, about 0.6 miles end to end.

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

Heat Below
73 milliwatts per square meter of heat flow

That's close to the US average of 65. It's higher than at 9% 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
33°
Jan
34°
Feb
39°
Mar
45°
Apr
54°
May
63°
Jun
72°
Jul
72°
Aug
63°
Sep
50°
Oct
39°
Nov
32°
Dec
Annual Precip: 20.2 in Annual Snow: 51.3 in
Best Time to Visit
December Air 32°F · Water 78°F · +46° contrast
January Air 33°F · Water 78°F · +45° contrast
February Air 34°F · Water 78°F · +44° contrast
December offers 40°F more contrast than August
Current Conditions
36°F
Clear N 0.0 mph 81% Good soaking weather
Tuesday 75° Low 38° Sunny 4% precip
Spring is +3° warmer
Wednesday 70° Low 41° Mostly Sunny then Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms 33% precip
Spring is +8° warmer
Thursday 71° Low 39° Chance Light Rain 26% precip
Spring is +7° warmer
Friday 77° Low 40° Sunny
Spring is +1° warmer
Saturday 80° Low 41° Sunny
Where to Stay

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Nearby Camping
Topsy Campground 21.4 mi away

Located on the rugged shoreline of the newly restored Klamath River, the Topsy Campground provides a quiet location for relaxing camping, picnicking, fishing, and river boating. The area is set in an open ponderosa pine forest with nearby views of Mount McLoughlin, an icon of the southern Oregon Cascade Mountains.Know Before You Go:Open Season Topsy Campground is open seasonally from May through October.13 Campsites with picnic tables, fire rings, and tent pads; first come, first serve.Univer...

Fee $7 per night, $4 per extra vehicle, $2 day use area.
Reserve on Recreation.gov →
Temperature
78°F
Warm Hot Boiling
Water Temp 78°F (26°C)
Avg Air Temp 50°F
Above Ambient +28°F
Mild soaking conditions September
Access
Road Access Short Walk
Nearest Road Crystal Springs Road
Distance to Road 0.1 mi
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the water temperature at Crystal Spring?
Crystal Spring has a water temperature of 78°F (26°C). This is a warm thermal spring.
Where is Crystal Spring located?
Crystal Spring is located in Klamath County, Oregon at 4,119 feet elevation, near Altamont. Coordinates: 42.1610°N, 121.6270°W.
How do I get to Crystal Spring?
Crystal Spring has Short Walk road access, with the nearest road being Crystal Springs Road (0.1 mi from the road).
Can I camp near Crystal Spring?
Yes, Topsy Campground is located nearby (21.4 miles away). $7 per night, $4 per extra vehicle, $2 day use area..
Sources: Wikipedia