Lehman Springs

Umatilla County, Oregon · Near Pilot Rock
45.1510°N, 118.6590°W
142°F 40°F air · Good soaking weather Short Walk Camping nearby (24.5 mi)
Very Hot Source, Use Extreme Caution

At 142°F, the source water at Lehman Springs 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.

Lehman Springs, better known as Lehman Hot Springs, is a hot springs resort in Umatilla County, Oregon, twenty-five miles or so from Pilot Rock. The source water is scalding. Wikipedia calls it a resort, so expect any soaking to happen in resort pools on resort terms; the record itself has neither an owner nor an access status.

Location

Lehman Springs Road ends within five hundred feet. Elevation is not on file. Moderate snow and rainfall. Anthony Lake is the closest camping listed, some twenty-five miles distant.

Cold months are the best per the file. Keep clear of the source; the water will burn. Since this is a resort, call ahead about hours and prices, because the record has no fee and nothing on access. Camping is far.

History of Lehman Springs

The hot springs were used by Native Americans before European settlers arrived, and a resort under the name Lehman Hot Springs was established in 1871, according to Wikipedia.

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 Lehman Springs.

Aerial view of the ground around Lehman Springs LiDAR bare-earth view of the same ground around Lehman 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.

Setting
Hillside
The spring sits on a steep slope that climbs to the southeast.
Highest ground nearby
284 ft above the spring
Within a quarter mile, to the southeast
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
80 milliwatts per square meter of heat flow

That's close to the US average of 65. It's higher than at 16% 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
29°
Feb
34°
Mar
40°
Apr
48°
May
56°
Jun
65°
Jul
66°
Aug
57°
Sep
45°
Oct
34°
Nov
26°
Dec
Annual Precip: 27.4 in Annual Snow: 75.5 in
Best Time to Visit
December Air 26°F · Water 142°F · +116° contrast
January Air 28°F · Water 142°F · +114° contrast
February Air 29°F · Water 142°F · +113° contrast
December offers 39°F more contrast than August
Current Conditions
40°F
SSE 20.1 mph 85% Good soaking weather
Tuesday 64° Low 40° Partly Sunny 9% precip
Spring is +78° warmer
Wednesday 62° Low 42° Sunny 3% precip
Spring is +80° warmer
Thursday 64° Low 43° Chance Rain Showers 39% precip
Spring is +78° warmer
Friday 70° Low 45° Sunny 9% precip
Spring is +72° warmer
Saturday 74° Low 46° Sunny 1% precip
Spring is +68° warmer
Where to Stay

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Nearby Camping
Anthony Lake 24.5 mi away

Overview At an elevation of 7,100 feet, this campground keeps cool in the summertime heat. The sites sit among boulders and mixed conifers on a bluff over Anthony Lake. For questions for Anthony Lake, Grande Ronde Lake, Mud Lake, Peavey Cabin, and Anthony Lake Guard Station call (541) 894-2332 or email campgrounds@anthonylakes.com None of the sites offer lake views, but campers can enjoy gazing on Gunsight Mountain and the surrounding peaks of the Elkhorn range. Anthony Lakes Campgrounds Webs...

Reservable Yes
Reserve on Recreation.gov →
Temperature
142°F
Warm Hot Boiling
Water Temp 142°F (61°C)
Avg Air Temp 44°F
Above Ambient +98°F
Great soaking conditions September
Access
Road Access Short Walk
Nearest Road Lehman Springs Road
Distance to Road 495 ft
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the water temperature at Lehman Springs?
Lehman Springs has a water temperature of 142°F (61°C). This is considered a hot spring, well above body temperature.
Where is Lehman Springs located?
Lehman Springs is located in Umatilla County, Oregon, near Pilot Rock. Coordinates: 45.1510°N, 118.6590°W.
How do I get to Lehman Springs?
Lehman Springs has Short Walk road access, with the nearest road being Lehman Springs Road (495 ft from the road).
Can I camp near Lehman Springs?
Yes, Anthony Lake is located nearby (24.5 miles away).
Is it safe to soak at Lehman Springs?
No, not at the source. The water at Lehman Springs reaches 142°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: Wikipedia