Roadland Spring

Harney County, Oregon · Near Hines
43.5010°N, 119.0910°W · 4,137 ft
72°F 32°F air · Good soaking weather 4,137 ft Short Walk Camping nearby (21.2 mi)

Roadland Spring is a USGS thermal point a few miles outside Hines in Harney County. The water is lukewarm, well under body temperature. No one would call it a hot spring. Reaching it means leaving Potter Swamp Road and walking a bit over half a mile. Whose ground that is, and whether the public may cross it, is not on file.

Location

Harney County high desert around Hines: up around 4,100 feet, thirteen inches of precipitation, two feet or so of snow most winters. Potter Swamp Road is the nearest named road, and the spring is roughly six tenths of a mile from it on foot. Idlewild is the closest listed campground, a little over twenty miles away.

Winter ranks best on record, though the water is too cool for that to matter much to a bather. A short walk in from Potter Swamp Road. Ownership and access, both unrecorded; check before leaving the road. Nothing about a fee. There is a photo on file if you want a look before driving out.

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 Roadland Spring.

Aerial view of the ground around Roadland Spring LiDAR bare-earth view of the same ground around Roadland 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.

Setting
Gentle slope
The ground tilts gently up to the northwest.
Highest ground nearby
99 ft above the spring
Within a quarter mile, to the northwest
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
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
64°
Jun
74°
Jul
73°
Aug
63°
Sep
49°
Oct
37°
Nov
28°
Dec
Annual Precip: 12.6 in Annual Snow: 27.9 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 37° Mostly Sunny 3% precip
Wednesday 73° Low 42° Mostly Sunny 5% precip
Thursday 71° Low 41° Chance Rain Showers then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms 44% precip
Spring is +1° warmer
Friday 75° Low 40° Sunny 5% precip
Saturday 77° Low 41° Sunny
USGS Field Measurements
Recent Temperature 71.6°F (22.0°C) Measured Jun 03, 1968
Where to Stay

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Nearby Camping
Idlewild 21.2 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 Short Walk
Nearest Road Potter Swamp Road
Distance to Road 0.6 mi
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the water temperature at Roadland Spring?
Roadland Spring has a water temperature of 72°F (22°C). This is a warm thermal spring.
Where is Roadland Spring located?
Roadland Spring is located in Harney County, Oregon at 4,137 feet elevation, near Hines. Coordinates: 43.5010°N, 119.0910°W.
How do I get to Roadland Spring?
Roadland Spring has Short Walk road access, with the nearest road being Potter Swamp Road (0.6 mi from the road).
Can I camp near Roadland Spring?
Yes, Idlewild is located nearby (21.2 miles away).
Sources: USGS NWIS