Springs

Jefferson County, Oregon · Near Warm Springs
44.8670°N, 121.2280°W · 2,140 ft
125°F 43°F air · Good soaking weather 2,140 ft Unknown Short Walk DESG Camping nearby (6.8 mi)

Recorded under the bare name Springs, this one lies on the Warm Springs Reservation in Jefferson County, roughly eight miles from the town of Warm Springs. The water runs hot, past the range that makes for comfortable soaking. Tribal ground, and public access is not on record, so do not assume you can walk in. It turns up in USGS thermal records.

Location

Simnasho-Hot Springs Road is the nearest road, with the spring about a third of a mile away on foot. The land card names the Warm Springs Reservation and a tribal land designation, with the owner abbreviated as DESG on file. Elevation is a little over two thousand feet. Winters bring about two feet of snow and the year is fairly dry.

December through February are the months on file. The water is hot enough to test carefully before any contact. Mecca Flat Campground is about seven miles away. Permission is the main issue. The land is tribal and access is unknown, so ask before going.

Terrain

USGS hasn't flown a detailed laser scan here yet, so this view comes from aerial photos and older elevation data.

Aerial view of the ground around Springs

The orange dot marks the spring, in a frame about three quarters of a mile wide.

Setting
Canyon floor
Steep ground climbs away on both sides of the spring.
Highest ground nearby
504 ft above the spring
Within a quarter mile, to the north
Cross-section through the spring

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

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

Heat Below
84 milliwatts per square meter of heat flow

That's about 1½ times the US average of 65. It's higher than at 21% 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
37°
Jan
38°
Feb
43°
Mar
50°
Apr
59°
May
65°
Jun
73°
Jul
74°
Aug
66°
Sep
53°
Oct
42°
Nov
36°
Dec
Annual Precip: 19.0 in Annual Snow: 25.1 in
Best Time to Visit
December Air 36°F · Water 125°F · +89° contrast
January Air 37°F · Water 125°F · +88° contrast
February Air 38°F · Water 125°F · +87° contrast
December offers 38°F more contrast than August
Current Conditions
43°F
Clear N 0.0 mph 93% Good soaking weather
Today 73° Low 50° Mostly Cloudy then Slight Chance Rain Showers 16% precip
Spring is +52° warmer
Wednesday 74° Low 50° Sunny 2% precip
Spring is +51° warmer
Thursday 81° Low 52° Sunny 4% precip
Spring is +44° warmer
Friday 85° Low 52° Sunny
Spring is +40° warmer
Saturday 86° Low 54° Sunny
Spring is +39° warmer
USGS Field Measurements
Recent Temperature 132.8°F (56.0°C) Measured May 01, 1973
Where to Stay

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Nearby Camping
Mecca Flat Campground 6.8 mi away

Situated on the banks of the Deschutes Wild and Scenic River, Mecca Flat Campground is located just a mile and a half from Oregon State Highway 26 near Warm Springs. The site features 13 individual campsites and one group use area. The southern terminus of the 7-mile long Trout Creek Trail can be accessed directly from the campground.Know Before You Go:All campsites, including the group use area are open year-round on a first-come, first-served basis; no potable water is available.The 1.6 mil...

Stay limit 14 days.
Reserve on Recreation.gov →
Temperature
125°F
Warm Hot Boiling
Water Temp 125°F (52°C)
Avg Air Temp 53°F
Above Ambient +72°F
Great soaking conditions September
Access
Unknown
Road Access Short Walk
Nearest Road Simnasho-Hot Springs Road
Distance to Road 0.3 mi
Land
Ownership DESG
Agency DESG
Designation Tribal Land
Unit Warm Springs Reservation
Manager TRIB
Protection 4 - No known protection
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the water temperature at Springs?
Springs has a water temperature of 125°F (52°C). This is considered a hot spring, well above body temperature.
Where is Springs located?
Springs is located in Jefferson County, Oregon at 2,140 feet elevation, near Warm Springs. Coordinates: 44.8670°N, 121.2280°W.
How do I get to Springs?
Springs has Short Walk road access, with the nearest road being Simnasho-Hot Springs Road (0.3 mi from the road).
Is Springs free to visit?
Springs has Unknown access. It is managed by DESG.
Can I camp near Springs?
Yes, Mecca Flat Campground is located nearby (6.8 miles away).
Is it safe to soak at Springs?
With care. At 125°F Springs is hot enough to need short sessions, fifteen to twenty minutes, and plenty of water. Enter slowly and get out if you feel light-headed.
Sources: USGS NWIS