• Alvord Hot Springs is a high desert hot spring oasis
• Two adjoining concrete pools provide a safe soaking
Alvord Hot Springs is a high desert oasis located between the Alvord Desert and Steens Mountain at 4,080 feet above sea level, a mile below the mountain summit. This destination is a private property, a part of the Alvord Ranch, owned by the Davis family since 1970.
The exact date when the hot springs soaking was open to the public is unclear, but it's estimated to be in the 1940s, based on that time when two rectangular pools were built. The hot springs were freely open to the public all year-round until 2013 when the owners commercialized the hot springs introducing a daily fee. Since then, various changes have been done. There are a convenience store, restrooms, and stationing of a caretaker to monitor the area. Also, RV and tent camping are available. Despite these changes, a large number of visitors drive all the way to experience the magical mineral springs.
A few thermal springs feeding the pools are blisteringly hot, approximately 170 degrees Fahrenheit, but with ingenious engineering and a perfect cooling system, the hot water reaches the pools at a more comfortable soaking temperature of 100-110 degrees Fahrenheit.
Caution. The arsenic level of the hot springs water is high than an acceptable drinking standard. Be careful, do not ingest the water.
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Alvord Hot Springs | General Description
Open: Year-round 24 hours, roads can be closed in winter
Managed by: Private Property
Location: Alvord Desert
Development: Semi-developed, two adjoining concrete tanks
Amenities: Convenience store, restrooms, changing rooms
Clothing: Optional
Distance from the parking: Short
Road access: Any passenger vehicle
Day-use fees: Yes
Popularity: Moderate to high
Accommodations: RV or tent camping, Mobile Alvord Sleeping Huts, Pike Creek Campground - 1.6 miles north
Elevation: 4,080 ft (1,244 m)
Alvord Hot Springs is located:
- 23 miles northeast of Fields
- 106 miles south of Burns
- 239 miles southeast of Bend
- 390 miles southeast of Portland.
Water T° (the hottest springs): 170°F (77°C)
Water T° (pools): 100°F (38°C)-104°F (40°C)
Water acidity level: Neutral (pH=7.7)
Type of the springs: Sodium Bicarbonate Chloride
Chemical used: None
Average dissolved solids: 3,782 Mg/L
Carbonate - 1,258 Mg/L
Sodium - 1,240 Mg/L
Chloride - 858 Mg/L
Sulfate - 227 Mg/L
Potassium - 71.9 Mg/L
Silica - 53 Mg/L
Boron - 27.5 Mg/L
Calcium - 11.4 Mg/L
Arsenic - 4.5 Mg/L
Magnesium - 1.78 Mg/L
Adventures Nearby
From Burns,
- Follow 65 miles southeast on Highway OR-78 to Folly Farm Road
- Turn right onto Folly Farm Road and drive 2.5 miles
- Continue 39 miles on the Fields-Denio Road towards Fields (the road is partially gravel).
Address: 46008 Alvord Ranch Lane, Princeton, OR 97721
Phone: 541-589-2282
alvordhotsprings.com
- Koski A.K., Wood S.A. "The Geochemistry of Geothermal Waters in the Alvord Basin, Southeastern Oregon". 2004. Taylor & Francis Group, London.
I visited Alvord in May 2016 and two years later in May 2018.
I was disappointed with the negative changes that occurred during 2 years.
The pools were dirty with a huge amount of growth and No shower anymore at the pools.
However, fees increased at about twice.