Goodman Spring

Harney County, Oregon · Near Hines
43.5290°N, 119.0810°W · 4,139 ft
72°F 32°F air · Good soaking weather 4,139 ft Roadside Camping nearby (19.2 mi)
Aerial view of the ground around Goodman Spring LiDAR bare-earth view of the same ground around Goodman 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.

Goodman Spring sits less than two miles from Hines in Harney County, which makes it one of the easier thermal points in the basin to get near. The water is tepid, no more than a lukewarm bath. USGS sampled it back in 1968 and found lightly mineralized water with a bit of calcium, magnesium, sodium, sulfate and chloride. The record lacks an owner and an access status.

Location

A road passes within about 160 feet, one the record leaves nameless. Hines and the spring share the same basin elevation, a bit over four thousand feet, with two and a half feet of snow or so in winter; summers are dry. No managing unit is listed. No image is on file.

The calendar on record favors the three winter months. Idlewild is the nearest listed campground, roughly nineteen miles away. The only water sample is nearly sixty years old, so treat the chemistry as historical. Nothing about access is on file, and with Hines so close the ground could be anyone's; look for posting.

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 Goodman Spring.

Setting
Gentle slope
The ground tilts gently up to the west.
Highest ground nearby
151 ft above the spring
Within a quarter mile, to the west
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 8% 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
28°
Jan
32°
Feb
39°
Mar
46°
Apr
55°
May
63°
Jun
74°
Jul
73°
Aug
63°
Sep
49°
Oct
37°
Nov
28°
Dec
Annual Precip: 12.8 in Annual Snow: 29.4 in
Best Time to Visit
January Air 28°F · Water 72°F · +44° contrast
December Air 28°F · Water 72°F · +44° contrast
February Air 32°F · Water 72°F · +40° contrast
January offers 46°F more contrast than July
Current Conditions
32°F
Clear N 0.0 mph 86% Good soaking weather
Tuesday 72° Low 38° Mostly Sunny 4% precip
Wednesday 72° Low 42° Mostly Sunny 6% precip
Thursday 70° Low 41° Chance Rain Showers then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms 44% precip
Spring is +2° warmer
Friday 74° Low 41° Sunny 5% precip
Saturday 76° Low 41° Sunny
Water Chemistry Sampled 1968-09-13

The water at Goodman Spring is slightly alkaline (pH 7.5) with 167 mg/L total dissolved solids.

pH 7.5 Slightly Alkaline
pH influences mineral absorption through skin
Higher mineral concentration for therapeutic soaking
Calcium 8 mg/L
May support bone density and joint health
Magnesium 1 mg/L
Known for muscle relaxation and stress relief
Sodium 35 mg/L
Supports circulation and skin hydration
Sulfate 16 mg/L
Traditionally used for skin conditions and inflammation
Chloride 7 mg/L
Natural antiseptic with skin health benefits
Nearby Camping
Nearby Camping
Idlewild 19.2 mi away

Overview Idlewild Campground is the perfect place for large gatherings in any weather. In sun, rain or snow, there are plenty of ways to enjoy the outdoors while spending time with friends and family. The campground is situated along Highway 395 north of Burns, Oregon. In the summer, it is popular with hikers and mountain bikers. In the winter, visitors can snowmobile and cross-country ski.Recreation Idlewild offers opportunities for camping, picnicking, hiking and mountain biking. Devine Su...

Reservable Yes
Reserve on Recreation.gov →
Temperature
72°F
Warm Hot Boiling
Water Temp 72°F (22°C)
Avg Air Temp 49°F
Above Ambient +23°F
Mild soaking conditions September
Access
Road Access Roadside
Distance to Road 162 ft
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the water temperature at Goodman Spring?
Goodman Spring has a water temperature of 72°F (22°C). This is a warm thermal spring.
Where is Goodman Spring located?
Goodman Spring is located in Harney County, Oregon at 4,139 feet elevation, near Hines. Coordinates: 43.5290°N, 119.0810°W.
How do I get to Goodman Spring?
Goodman Spring has Roadside road access (162 ft from the road).
Can I camp near Goodman Spring?
Yes, Idlewild is located nearby (19.2 miles away).
What minerals are in the water at Goodman Spring?
Water chemistry analysis shows the presence of pH, Total Dissolved Solids, Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Sulfate, Chloride. The pH is 7.5 (slightly alkaline). Total dissolved solids measure 167 mg/L.
Sources: USGS NWIS