Warner Valley Ranch

Lake County, Oregon · Near Lakeview
42.2190°N, 119.8770°W · 4,490 ft
198°F 34°F air · Good soaking weather 4,490 ft Short Walk Camping nearby (15.4 mi)
Very Hot Source, Use Extreme Caution

At 198°F, the source water at Warner Valley Ranch 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.

Aerial view of the ground around Warner Valley Ranch LiDAR bare-earth view of the same ground around Warner Valley Ranch
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.

Warner Valley Ranch is a near-boiling spring in Lake County, about 24 miles from Lakeview. The word ranch in the name is its own warning. Ownership goes unlisted, and access with it, so assume private until you learn otherwise. Water close to two hundred degrees will cook things. Nothing has been noted about a cooled pool.

Location

County Highway 3-10 passes a tenth of a mile away, so on the map this is almost roadside. High desert at around 4,500 feet, dry, with nearly four feet of snow over a winter. Who manages the ground is not recorded. The closest camping on file is Drake Peak Lookout, fifteen miles off.

Winter has the best rating on record. Do not go near the source water; at this temperature it will scald instantly and badly. Ownership is unknown and the name suggests a working ranch, so get permission before turning off the highway. Drake Peak Lookout is the nearest listed camping. No water chemistry is on file.

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 Warner Valley Ranch.

Setting
Gentle slope
The ground tilts gently up to the west.
Highest ground nearby
124 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
70 milliwatts per square meter of heat flow

That's close to the US average of 65. It's higher than at 5% 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
30°
Jan
32°
Feb
38°
Mar
46°
Apr
55°
May
65°
Jun
76°
Jul
75°
Aug
65°
Sep
51°
Oct
38°
Nov
29°
Dec
Annual Precip: 14.4 in Annual Snow: 45.5 in
Best Time to Visit
December Air 29°F · Water 198°F · +169° contrast
January Air 30°F · Water 198°F · +168° contrast
February Air 32°F · Water 198°F · +166° contrast
December offers 47°F more contrast than July
Current Conditions
34°F
Clear N 20.9 mph 79% Good soaking weather
Tuesday 78° Low 43° Sunny 2% precip
Spring is +120° warmer
Wednesday 71° Low 47° Slight Chance Light Rain then Sunny 16% precip
Spring is +127° warmer
Thursday 71° Low 46° Chance Light Rain 37% precip
Spring is +127° warmer
Friday 77° Low 45° Sunny 6% precip
Spring is +121° warmer
Saturday 80° Low 48° Sunny
Spring is +118° warmer
Nearby Camping
Nearby Camping
Drake Peak Lookout 15.4 mi away

Overview Located on the crest of the Warner Mountain Range at an elevation of 8,222 feet, Drake Peak Lookout hugs the wind-swept land surrounding it, offering unparalleled views into Oregon, California and Nevada. The lookout was built in 1948 and has served as a fire detection site for the surrounding area. Historically, Forest Service personnel lived long seasons in the cabin, scanning the region for lightning, flames, curls of smoke or any other indicator of possible forest fires. At one...

Reservable Yes
Reserve on Recreation.gov →
Temperature
198°F
Warm Hot Boiling
Water Temp 198°F (92°C)
Avg Air Temp 50°F
Above Ambient +148°F
Great soaking conditions September
Access
Road Access Short Walk
Nearest Road County Highway 3-10
Distance to Road 0.1 mi
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the water temperature at Warner Valley Ranch?
Warner Valley Ranch has a water temperature of 198°F (92°C). This is considered a hot spring, well above body temperature.
Where is Warner Valley Ranch located?
Warner Valley Ranch is located in Lake County, Oregon at 4,490 feet elevation, near Lakeview. Coordinates: 42.2190°N, 119.8770°W.
How do I get to Warner Valley Ranch?
Warner Valley Ranch has Short Walk road access, with the nearest road being County Highway 3-10 (0.1 mi from the road).
Can I camp near Warner Valley Ranch?
Yes, Drake Peak Lookout is located nearby (15.4 miles away).
Is it safe to soak at Warner Valley Ranch?
No, not at the source. The water at Warner Valley Ranch reaches 198°F, which can cause severe burns within seconds. Look for cooled side pools or downstream stretches, and test with a hand before anything else.