• Beulah Hot Springs is at the northeast edge of the reservoir
• The source has a temperature over 135-degree Fahrenheit
Beulah Hot Springs is located 18 miles north of the small town of Juntura in the Agency Valley. The unpaved gravel Beulah Road runs from Highway 20 alongside the cattle pastures, the North Fork of the Malheur River, Beulah Reservoir (also known as the Agency Valley Reservoir) and brings you to Beulah Hot Springs, just a little to the northeast of the reservoir.
The source temperature is over 135-degree Fahrenheit. Growing within the hot springs, thermophilic colonies of pigmented bacterias are responsible for the bright colors. Green and yellow hues are usually formed by cyanobacteria Synechococcus at temperatures between 130°F (54°C) and 165°F (74°C) in a slightly alkaline environment (pH=7.2-8.7).
The hot water is slowly piped from the source into a corroded bathtub. At the end of September, the water temperature in the bathtub was over 120°F (54°C). Too hot for soaking! Before bathing, check the water and, if needed, redirect the hot water from the tub letting it get cooler. Do not try to soak in the source or nearby, it is dangerous.
Video
Currently, Beulah Hot Springs is not the best place for soaking. However, if the corroded bathtub is removed, the hose pipes are replaced and repositioned, with the plentiful hot flow from the source, Beulah may be brought back to life. It has the great potential to make a rejuvenating soak available.
There are open places near the hot springs but camping is not allowed.
There are a campground, concrete boat ramp, and vault restroom near the dam. Also, a developed campground, managed by BLM, with RV sites, drinking water, picnic areas, and restrooms are available in the Chukar Park Recreation Site, 10 miles south of Beulah Hot Springs.
Beulah Hot Springs | General Description
Open: Year-round, some road can be closed due to snow
Managed: BLM, Malheur County
Location: Beulah Reservoir, Agency Valley
Development: Undeveloped
Service: None
Accommodations: Not allowed at the hot springs; 2 campsites along the shores; Camping at Chukar Park Recreation Site 9 miles south of the Beulah Reservoir
Distance from the parking: Short
Road Access: High-clearance vehicle is recommended during wet weather
Day-use fees: None
Elevation: 3,600 ft (1,097 m)
Beulah Hot Springs is located:
- 17.5 miles north of Juntura
- 62 miles northeast of Burns
- 142 miles west of Boise, Idaho
- 192 miles east of Bend.
Water T° (source): 130°F (54°C) - 140°F (60°C)
Adventures Nearby
From Highway 20 at the western end of Juntura,
- Turn north onto Beulah Road
- Drive 17.4 miles to the destination on the left.