Alvord Hot Springs
Alvord Hot Springs discharges at 174°F at 4,042 feet elevation on the western edge of the Alvord Desert, emerging 122 degrees above ambient temperature with scalding water requiring a 333-foot walk from Fields-Folly Farm Road. This intensely hot spring ranks among Oregon's most thermally powerful geothermal features in Harney County's remote southeastern corner.
The spring sits in stark playa country where the Alvord Desert's ancient lakebed stretches eastward toward the fault scarp of Steens Mountain rising more than 5,000 feet above the basin floor. The landscape receives only 10.2 inches of annual precipitation with 24 inches of snow, supporting minimal vegetation in this rain-shadow environment where sagebrush, greasewood, and salt-tolerant species cling to alkaline soils. South Steens Campground occupies higher terrain 20.3 kilometers distant amid juniper and sage at the mountain's southern flank.
The springs take their name from the Alvord Desert, itself named for General Benjamin Alvord who explored this territory in the 1860s. The thermal features have served travelers crossing this remote country for generations, though documentation of specific Indigenous use or early rancher modifications remains limited. The springs flow today with minimal development, accessible to those navigating the remote road network.
Visit during spring or fall; summer heat exceeds 100°F in the desert, and winter brings cold and occasional snow. The short walk from Fields-Folly Farm Road demands careful navigation on unimproved roads requiring high clearance vehicles. Water temperature prohibits direct contact at the source; allow downstream cooling before any bathing. Carry adequate water, food, and emergency supplies given the extreme remoteness.
Is Alvord Hot Springs worth visiting?
Best for
- Observing powerful hot springs
- Overnight camping trips
Not ideal for
- Casual soaking
Overview:South Steens Campground is located in the heart of Steens Mountain. Visitors will find picnic tables and grills at 36 family campsites amid juniper and sage. The equestrian site, designed specifically for horse users, is directly adjacent to the family campground. Recreational stock (horses, mules, llamas, goats, etc.) are not allowed in the family portion of South Steens Campground, but are welcome and comfortable at 15 equestrian sites complete with tie posts and small corrals.Know...