• Hart Mountain Hot Springs is a collection of hot springs within Antelope Refuge
• Features a numbers of spots for hunting, fishing, rock hounding, and wildlife observation
Hart Mountain Hot Springs or Antelope Hot Springs are a collection of hot springs nestled perfectly within the confines of the Hart Mountain National Antelope Refuge. Bordered by rock walls, the main soaking pool is 8 by 11 feet in diameter and 4-foot deep. Another smaller undeveloped pool is located 100 yards away.
Hart Mountain Hot Springs was created by a rancher who stuck a stick of dynamite into a rock with bubbling water spouting out.
Hart Mountain National Antelope Refuge was established in 1936. This mountainous area is a perfect location for camping in the warmer months of the spring, summer, and fall. You should be well prepared because sometimes high desert conditions can be extreme. Due to a higher altitude, nighttime temperatures can go below the freezing point at any time of the year. During the hot summer months, stay hydrated, use sunscreen and insect repellent.
This destination features a multitude of excellent spots for hunting, fishing, rock hounding and, wildlife observation. The refuge, in its entirety, is breathtakingly scenic and is the ideal location for long enjoyable hikes.
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The main hot spring is surrounded by rustic stone walls protecting those within from the chills of the cold winds. Hot mineral water emerges from fissures in the concrete bottom at a temperature of about 100°F.
The small hot spring pool with a splendid unimpeded view of the mountain ranges is ideal during warmer weather. The pool’s gravel and bedrock bottom provide the base for spring water to bubble up from at a temperature up to 104°F. If you go along the channel, you will find more smaller hot spring pools.
The Hart Mountain, Frenchglen, Blue Sky, and Hot Springs Roads are open and maintained year-round. Any vehicles can be used. Other National Refuge's roads are not maintained. Four-wheel drive vehicles with high clearance are recommended. Any road can become hazardous during storms, drifting snow, muddy conditions, or landslides. Check current road conditions on the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service website.
Hart Mountain Hot Springs | General Description
Open: Year-round, 24 hours
Managed: US Fish & Wildlife Service
Location: Hart Mountain National Antelope Refuge
Services: No services are available; pit toilets
Activities: Camping, hiking, soaking, rockhounding, fishing, and wildlife observing
Accommodations: First-come, first-served primitive campgrounds
Clothing: Optional
Distance from the parking: Short
Road access: Any vehicle
Day-use fees: None
Elevation: 5,930 ft (1,807 m)
Hart Mountain (Antelope) Hot Springs is located:
- 67 miles northeast of Lakeview
- 112 miles southwest of Burns
- 308 miles southeast of Eugene
- 386 miles northeast of Portland.
Water T°:
Semi-developed pool 95°F(35°C) - 100°F(38°C)
Undeveloped pool 98°F(37°C) - 104°F(40°C)
Water acidity level: Weak alkaline (pH=8.3)
Type of the springs: Sodium Silicate Bicarbonate
Flow rate: 30 gallons/min
Chemical used: None
Average dissolved solids: 695 Mg/L
Carbonate - 376 Mg/L
Sodium - 191 Mg/L
Silica - 168 Mg/L
Chloride - 64 Mg/L
Sulfate - 57 Mg/L
Potassium - 13 Mg/L
Calcium - 10 Mg/L
Fluoride - 3.6 Mg/L
Magnesium - 2.5 Mg/L
Adventures Nearby
From Burns,
- Follow OR-78 East to OR-205
- Turn right onto OR 205 S and drive for about 67 miles to Rock Creek Road
- Turn right onto Rock Creek Road (gravel road) that becomes Frenchglen Road
- Continue onto Frenchglen Road (totally 41 miles from OR-205) to Refuge Headquarters
- Turn left onto Hot Springs Road and continue 4.4 miles to the Hart Mountain (Antelope) Hot Springs and campground.
From Plush,
- From the north end of Plush, turn on Lake County Road 3-12 or Hart Mountain Road toward Hart Lake and Mountains
- Continue 23 miles to Refuge Headquarters (the road is mostly gravel)
- Bear slight right onto Hot Springs Road and continue 4.4 miles to the Hart Mountain (Antelope) Hot Springs and campground.
Phone: 541-947-3315
Edward A. Sammel and Robert W. Craig. "The Geothermal Hydrology of Warner Valley, Oregon: A Reconnaissance Study". Geological Survey Professional Paper. 1981. USGS.
We were wondering what the road conditions were like up to the campgrounds as well as the distances to the hot springs from each? Is pulling a small trailer doable, or do the roads rattle it too much? Thanks!
The roads to Hart Mountain Hot Springs are maintained year-round. Hot Springs Campground is located near the hot springs. Current road conditions can be checked on the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Site
Do you need a reservation to stay at the hot Springs campground
Reservation is not required and camping is free