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In summer of 2024, the Warner Peak Fire burned 65,000 acres of the Hart Mountain National Antelope Refuge, preventing access to Hart Mountain Hot Springs and Campground. Parts of the refuge, including the hot springs will be closed through June 15, 2025. You can check the refuge's website for any developments.
Out of all the natural hot springs we've been to, Hart Mountain remains one of our absolute favorites.
They're the perfect temperature, surrounded by scenic views, and it's completely free to camp out just a walk away. What more could you ask for?
But, enjoying this place isn't without its challenges. They sit among a rugged and remote landscape, nicknamed the 'Oregon Outback'.
In our complete guide to Hart Mountain Hot Springs, we've included everything you need to know about how to get there, where to camp, and what to bring along to make sure you enjoy this place to the fullest.
How to Get to Hart Mountain Hot Springs
The Hart Mountain Antelope Refuge and hot springs are located in Oregon's remote high desert region. From Portland, it's about an eight hour drive. Spokane and Salt Lake City are both right around nine hours away. Boise is a bit closer at just over five hours.
If you're coming from Boise and are down for an even bigger adventure, go ahead and add Leslie Gulch onto your itinerary. It's another Oregon hidden gem you don't want to miss.
The closest town is Plush, 90 minutes away to the west, but it's little more than a rural community with a gas pump and convenience store. That is, however, the destination we'd recommend passing through before heading up to the hot springs.
The road from Frenchglen, to the east, is absolutely terrible. It's easily one of the worst washboard roads we've ever driven and it's about 50 miles so, if you can, approach from Plush, where the road in is much better condition.
If not, just prepare yourself (and any dental fillings) for over an hour of slow driving on a very bumpy road.
When coming from Plush, you'll make your way up the mountain until you reach the Antelope Refuge headquarters. Here, Hart Mountain, Frenchglen, and Blue Sky Roads converge. Turn onto Blue Sky, then make the slight right onto Hot Springs Campground Rd. Two and a half miles later you'll be at the hot springs.
Here's where we drop in our regular reminder to download offline maps before heading out. Don't expect to have cell phone signal out here.
Soaking in the Hot Springs
The Developed Pool
As you make your way down the final hill to the hot springs and campground, turn right and then cross over Rock Creek.
To the left you'll immediately see a stone wall surrounding the 'developed' hot springs pool. In fact, you'll probably see all the steam rising from it before you even spot the pool.
There's a circular turn-around and parking area with an information board. On the outer perimeter, opposite the pool, is a vault toilet.
This pool is pretty spacious and deep, with a metal ladder for getting in. It's surrounded by a concrete pad and has a wooden bench. The wall is a nice feature, since it helps block the wind on chilly mornings and also gives the space a more private and secluded feel.
The bottom is a rough and uneven mix of concrete and rock, which makes it a bit difficult to stand inside the pool. The rocks can also be slippery, so consider wearing a pair of sandals or water shoes.
Water temperature can vary, but it's typically been measured at a nice and hot range of 95-105F (35-40C).
The Primitive Hot Springs Pools
From the parking area, if you head west on foot, you can find not one but two primitive hot springs pools.
They're both moderately sized, with room for multiple adults and deep enough to soak your whole body. They also tend to sit at the higher end of the temperature range, a bit warmer than the developed pool.
But the best part is they have gorgeous, wide open views of the whole area. We actually spent most of our time in these two pools during our stay and, to our surprise, we always had them completely to ourselves. We're not sure whether people are just more interested in the developed pool or if they don't even realize they're there, but if you want a nice private soak head out into the field.
Camping at Hart Mountain Hot Springs
The campground at Hart Mountain Hot Springs has 25 primitive sites. They're completely free and can be claimed on a first come, first served basis. The stay limit is up to 14 days.
You'll find a fire ring at each site, but not much else. That being said, this is one of the nicest free campgrounds we've ever stayed at. There are multiple vault toilets throughout the campground, which were kept very clean and well stocked with toilet paper.
Sites basically surround the hot springs pools, spread out along the creek to the north and south.
The northern section is a bit smaller and sites are close together without much privacy. We also found this area especially wet and soggy during spring. If you're towing a trailer or driving an RV, best to skip this area and head to the other side. It's better suited for campervans and trucks.
We stayed on both sides of the campground over multiple nights and found that the sites to the south of the springs, down Barnhardi Road, were our favorite. They were a bit more secluded with some trees between most of them, but still backed right up to the creek which made for a really nice ambiance.
One thing lacking here is potable water. There's none available at the campground, so you'll need to bring plenty for the duration of your stay.
Camp Hart Mountain Campground
As an alternative, if there are no sites available at the hot springs, you could make the drive 45 minutes back towards Plush to Camp Hart Mountain Campground.
It only has eight primitive sites and is also first come, first served, with a stay limit of 14 days. When the weather is above freezing, potable water is available here.
Boondocking
We're huge fans of boondocking on public land whenever possible, but it's worth noting that camping isn't allowed along any roads or pull-off areas within the refuge. Backcountry permits are available if you'd like to tent camp, but you'll need to be a half mile from the vehicle and your road and 50 feet away from water.
Tips for Visiting Hart Mountain Hot Springs
Hart Mountain is pretty remote and will require some self-sufficiency. Our number one tip is to just come prepared with plenty of water, offline maps downloaded, and anything you would need for camping out during your stay, plus an emergency reserve.
Towns with the closest amenities are:
// Plush, which is a 90 minute drive and has gas and basic groceries at a convenience store.
// Adel. A two hour drive that also has gas and basic groceries.
// Lakeview, the closest major town. A two hour, fifteen minute drive. Has major grocery store chains, gas stations, restaurants, and a small hospital.
The Best Time to Visit
Southern Oregon's high desert is a place of extremes, with very cold winters and hot and dry summer conditions. The average rainfall is only 12 inches, most of it arriving as winter snow or spring rains.
For those reasons, the best times to visit Hart Mountain are during the milder shoulder seasons.
We went in mid-Spring and managed to avoid really wet weather. The mornings and evenings were chilly, but not unbearable and the day time temperatures were perfect. It's possible that heavy rains could flood the campground and prevent access.
The summer heat will also come with larger crowds and the potential for seasonal wildfires. In 2024, the Warner Peak Fire impacted a large portion of the National Antelope Refuge, closing access to the hot springs through June of 2025.
If you're visiting that time of year, check the refuge's website and Inciweb for the most up-to-date information on wildfire threats or closures.
Fall is a great time to go, because of milder temperatures and thinner crowds.
Snow can frequently make the road impassable, but otherwise winter would be another good time to go. The campground remains open year-round as long as the road is drivable.
Etiquette
We always like to include a few reminders about proper etiquette when visiting natural hot springs.
Generally speaking, practice Leave No Trace principles, making sure to stick to existing paths and not trampling plant life. Don't introduce anything into the water, including soap, shampoo, lotion, or sunscreen.
If you're going to bring a beverage, leave the glass containers behind. Make sure to pack out anything you do bring in. Unfortunately we've found lots of trash and personal items left behind at just about every spring we've visited. To offset this, you can bring a bag and clean up any items you do find.
Use the bathroom before heading for a soak. Fortunately, Hart Mountain has several toilets within walking distance, so there's no excuse for not using them.
It's possible you'll encounter some nudity. The unofficial rule is that the farther away the hot springs are, the more likely it is. No personal experience with this at Hart Mountain, but we did encounter plenty of nude soakers at Willow Creek hot springs, which is in the same region and also surrounded by a campground.
Pets aren't allowed in the hot springs, so it's best to not bring them. If you must for some reason, please keep them leashed.
It all comes down to loving your neighbor. You may find yourself sharing the hot springs with others. Most people come to relax in a peaceful environment. Don't blast loud music or ruin someone else's experience. Simply put: enjoy the hot springs while being considerate of others.
Packing List
A bag. We almost always bring a bag with us to hot springs. It frees up your hands while hiking and gives you a place to store things and keep them dry during your visit. If you don't already own a dry bag, we recommend these ones.
Sandals or water shoes. Something with tread for stepping on rough or slippery rocks, and walking through the field to the primitive pools. We don't normally recommend flip flops at hot springs, but there's no difficult terrain here and you'd be alright going barefoot in the pools if you want.
A reusable water bottle and plenty of water. Soaking in the hot water can dehydrate you quickly, so don't overlook the basics.
Your swimsuit. Speaking of basics.
A towel. We love our quick drying and packable towels. They do a great job and we don't have to haul around bulky bath towels.
Warm dry clothes. Speaking from experience: no matter how short of a distance you are from the car or campsite, you'll be thankful for an extra layer or two when you get out of the hot water and are hit by a cold breeze. Loose clothing also goes over wet skin a lot easier.
A headlamp or flashlight. The walk to and from the pools is short and it'd be almost impossible to get lost, but if you're going late at night or super early in the morning, it doesn't hurt to have a headlamp to help you see.
Other Things to do Near Hart Mountain National Antelope Refuge
Wildlife Viewing
The refuge was initially established to protect pronghorn antelope, the fastest land animal in North America. In 1936 they were in danger of extinction. Now, you're almost sure to see them grazing or sprinting across the open meadows.
The diverse landscapes here also create conditions ideal for hundreds of other species, including bighorn sheep, mule deer, and sage-grouse.
Later in the year, migratory waterfowl can be spotted as they pass through on their way south.
For the best chance of spotting wildlife, head out early in the morning or before sunset when most of them are active. Just be sure to stay as quiet as possible and always give the animals plenty of space. A long telephoto lens for your camera or a pair of binoculars are your friend.
Hiking
Marked trails are limited in the area, but here are a few you could take to further explore the landscape and views around Hart Mountain.
Petroglyph Lake | A 6.1 mile out-and-back that loops around the lake, where you can also see several ancient petroglyphs on rocks. The trailhead is located near the refuge visitor center. While mostly flat, there's no shade on the entire hike, so head out early and bring plenty of water.
Warner Peak Scramble | A hike you can do starting from the southwestern corner of the campground. Follow Barnhardi Road most of the way and then scramble your way up 1100' to Warner Peak for views over the surrounding area.
Other Hot Springs
While they're not close by, you're already going on a road trip to visit Hart Mountain. Why not make it a hot springs circuit and add a few on to your itinerary?
In western Oregon, you'll find another beautiful but more popular spot in the national forest. Umpqua hot springs are distinctly different from the dry and rocky atmosphere around Hart Mountain. They're downright lush.
Two and a half hours north, you'll get a different experience at Crane Hot Springs, which is a commercially developed resort. You can book lodging, or stay on property at their RV and tent campground.
Willow Creek Hot Springs is another free campground, located on BLM public land in eastern Oregon near the town of Fields. It's just as rustic and primitive, with not much more than a vault toilet and some scattered campsites. There's only one pool here, divided into a hot side and warm side.
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