• Hot Lake Hotel was built at one of the largest hot springs in the world
• Ghost stories attract visitors who are eager to add some thrill to their adventures
Hot Lake is known as one of the largest hot springs in the world. Mineral geothermal water emerges from multiple spring orifices at a temperature between 180° and 208° Fahrenheit. It flows into the 8-acre pond at about 3 million gallons per day. According to the State Department of Geology, several hot springs occur in this narrow northwest-trending fault zone extending from Hot Lake to the north to Union Junction, which is about 3.5 miles southeast.
Built in the early 1900s, this genuinely historic hotel offers a variety of elegantly furnished rooms, some complete with soaking tubs and showers. You can reserve one for yourself via Airbnb.
The pool area is located on the lakeshore and has three round wooden tubs, an open cement pool, and a covered brick pool.
The hot water gets pumped from the artesian well at 200°F. Then, it gets mixed with cold water and poured into your tub. Unlimited bathing is available for overnight guests for 24 hours.
A soaking pass can be reserved for day use, too. Use the Lodge at Hot Lake Springs website to do that.
Brief History of Hot Lake Springs
Brief History of Hot Lake Springs
Before 1812, Native Americans used these hot springs to nurse sick and injured people. In 1812, the steaming Hot Lake was discovered and recorded by Robert Stuart during the Pacific Fur expedition. Between the 1840s and 1860s, Hot Lake Springs became a popular destination for those traveling along the Oregon Trail. What started as a 'Town Under One Roof' in 1864 developed into a grand three-story brick hotel with 105 rooms by the end of 1908.
The healing properties of the hot springs prompted Dr. Phy to turn the resort's third floor into a state-of-the-art medical facility known as 'Hot Lake Sanitarium' or 'Mayo Clinic of the West.' It became extremely popular due to innovative medical techniques and new (by that time) medical equipment, such as X-rays. Dr. Phy passed away in 1931, and three years later, a fire destroyed most of the hotel's structures.
Within the next 70 years, Hot Lake Resort received multiple grants and changed hands several times. Eventually, David and Lee Manuel purchased the property in 2003, marking the beginning of a long restoration process. In 2010, Hot Lake Springs welcomed its first overnight guests. In 2020, the owners of Grande Hot Springs purchased the property and continued its restoration, which included the hotel's historic preservation.
When visiting, make sure that you not only 'take in the waters' but also enjoy the peaceful tranquility of the region while absorbing its rich history.
Multiple ghost stories claim that the Hot Lake Hotel is haunted. In 2001, the American paranormal reality show on ABC Family reported the hotel as one of the "Scariest Places on the Earth". We cannot tell how true those scary stories are. That, however, does not prevent this historic hotel from attracting all types of thrill-seeking visitors in search of paranormal activity.
In 1979, Hot Lake Hotel was placed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Things to Do and See
The Thermal Pub & Eatery offers a range of delicious food and beverage options. A movie theater with food and beer is open from Thursday to Sunday.
The Hot Lake Lodge and Grande Hot Springs are not the only natural hot springs in the area. Cove Warm Springs, 12 miles away, offers swimming in the natural mineral water. The temperature of the source and pool is around 86°F, which is perfect for summer swimming.
The 3,200-acre Ladd Marsh Wildlife Area, four miles away, is a wildlife preservation sanctuary that provides habitat for bird breeding, nesting, and migration. For the fans of outdoor adventures, this area offers winding hiking trails through untouched wetlands.
Hot Lake Lodge | Facts
Open: Year-round
Development: Resort, hot tubs
Amenities: A restaurant, movie theater, kitchen with microwave and refrigerator for overnight guests, daily breakfast for overnight guets
Road Access: Any vehicle, the road can be blocked by snow
Day-use: Yes for fee; free for overnight guests
Elevation: 2,800 ft (853 m)
Hot Lake Springs is located:
- 6 miles northwest of Union
- 9 miles southeast of La Grande
- 268 miles east of Portland.
Water T° (source): 200°F (93°С)
Water acidity level: Alkaline (pH=9.5)
Type of the springs: Sodium Chloride
Chemical used: None
Average dissolved solids: 461 Mg/L
Chloride - 129 Mg/L
Sodium - 128 Mg/L
Silica - 81 Mg/L
Sulfate- 56 Mg/L
Carbonate -31 Mg/L
Hydroxide - 4 Mg/L
Calcium - 3.6 Mg/L
Potassium -2.7 Mg/L
Fluoride - 1.6 Mg/L
Magnesium - 0.3 Mg/L
Iron - 0.01 Mg/L
Adventures Nearby
Directions to Hot Lake Lodge
From La Grande,
- Take I-84 east toward Baker City
- Travel 2.7 miles to exit 265 for OR-203
- Turn right onto OR-203 and continue 5 miles on OR-302 South to the destination.
Phone: 541-963-4685
hotlakelodge.com
hotlakesprings.com