Hot Spring

Owyhee County, Oregon · Near Homedale
43.3020°N, 117.3830°W · 2,740 ft
106°F 46°F air · Good soaking weather 2,740 ft Open Roadside Bureau of Reclamation Camping nearby (3.5 mi)
Aerial view of the ground around Hot Spring LiDAR bare-earth view of the same ground around Hot 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.

This one carries no name beyond Hot Spring. It is listed in Owyhee County on Bureau of Reclamation land at Owyhee Reservoir. Homedale is the nearest town, and the record shows it essentially at the spring. Temperature-wise it is soaking warm, a few degrees above body heat, and access is open. USGS sampled it in 1992 and found strongly alkaline water.

Location

An unnamed road comes within about two hundred feet. The reservoir lands are a recreation management area under Reclamation. Elevation is low desert, under three thousand feet, with light snow and a dry year overall. Summers run warm. There is no photo on file.

Midwinter is the recorded best time. Slocum Creek Campground is about three and a half miles away. The only chemistry on file is from that 1992 sample, so conditions may have shifted. The record shows no fee. Open access and a campground close by make this an easy one to add to a reservoir trip.

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 Hot Spring.

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

A slice through the ground from south to north, about 0.6 miles end to end.

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

Heat Below
76 milliwatts per square meter of heat flow

That's close to the US average of 65. It's higher than at 11% 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
39°
Feb
47°
Mar
54°
Apr
63°
May
72°
Jun
83°
Jul
82°
Aug
71°
Sep
56°
Oct
43°
Nov
34°
Dec
Annual Precip: 11.8 in Annual Snow: 20.6 in
Best Time to Visit
January Air 33°F · Water 106°F · +73° contrast
December Air 34°F · Water 106°F · +72° contrast
February Air 39°F · Water 106°F · +68° contrast
January offers 50°F more contrast than July
Current Conditions
46°F
Clear E 20.7 mph 66% Good soaking weather
Today 76° Low 51° Sunny
Spring is +30° warmer
Wednesday 78° Low 54° Sunny
Spring is +28° warmer
Thursday 75° Low 52° Chance Rain Showers 41% precip
Spring is +31° warmer
Friday 77° Low 52° Sunny 6% precip
Spring is +29° warmer
Saturday 79° Low 53° Sunny 2% precip
Spring is +27° warmer
Water Chemistry Sampled 1992-04-23

The water at Hot Spring is alkaline (pH 9.6).

pH 9.6 Alkaline
pH influences mineral absorption through skin
Calcium 1 mg/L
May support bone density and joint health
Sodium 130 mg/L
Supports circulation and skin hydration
Sulfate 50 mg/L
Traditionally used for skin conditions and inflammation
Chloride 14 mg/L
Natural antiseptic with skin health benefits
Nearby Camping
Nearby Camping
Slocum Creek Campground 3.5 mi away

Nestled in a side canyon near the mouth of Leslie Gulch, Slocum Creek Campground makes a good base for gulch explorations. Cool off in the waters of nearby Lake Owyhee or hike the Leslie Gulch Area of Critical Environmental Concern. The campground includes nine campsites, eight of which contain some accessible amenities. The low light of early morning and late evening transforms the abutting rock outcrops of Slocum Creek Wilderness Study Area into magnificent fiery wonder.Know Before You GoCa...

Fee No fees.
Stay limit 14 days
Reserve on Recreation.gov →
Temperature
106°F
Warm Hot Boiling
Water Temp 106°F (41°C)
Avg Air Temp 57°F
Above Ambient +50°F
Good soaking conditions September
Access
Open
Road Access Roadside
Distance to Road 190 ft
Land
Ownership Federal
Agency Bureau of Reclamation
Designation RMA
Unit Owyhee Reservoir
Manager Bureau of Reclamation
Protection 3 - Protected, subject to extractive use
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the water temperature at Hot Spring?
Hot Spring has a water temperature of 106°F (41°C). This is considered a hot spring, well above body temperature.
Where is Hot Spring located?
Hot Spring is located in Owyhee County, Oregon at 2,740 feet elevation, near Homedale. Coordinates: 43.3020°N, 117.3830°W.
How do I get to Hot Spring?
Hot Spring has Roadside road access (190 ft from the road).
Is Hot Spring free to visit?
Hot Spring has Open access. It is managed by Bureau of Reclamation.
Can I camp near Hot Spring?
Yes, Slocum Creek Campground is located nearby (3.5 miles away). No fees..
What minerals are in the water at Hot Spring?
Water chemistry analysis shows the presence of pH, Calcium, Sodium, Sulfate, Chloride. The pH is 9.6 (alkaline).
Sources: USGS NWIS