Buckhorn Creek Springs
Buckhorn Creek Springs emerges at 68 degrees Fahrenheit in Lake County's high desert, flowing 18.2 degrees above ambient temperature. The spring sits at 4,234 feet elevation and requires a 1,518-foot walk from the nearest road access.
Located on the eastern slope of the Winter Rim escarpment, the spring occupies terrain where lava flows meet sedimentary basins. At 4,234 feet elevation, the landscape features sagebrush steppe punctuated by juniper and scattered ponderosa pine. The Winter Rim rises dramatically to the west, creating a rain shadow that limits annual precipitation to 14.5 inches with 36 inches of snow. Buckhorn Creek drains eastward toward Lake Abert's playa. Summer Basin's vast grasslands extend to the north.
Documentation of the spring's name origin and early use remains limited. The Buckhorn Creek drainage likely provided seasonal water for livestock operations in this sparsely populated corner of Lake County, with the thermal feature appearing on mid-20th-century USGS surveys.
Access proves best May through October when dirt roads dry out and snowpack melts. High-clearance vehicles handle the rough approach better than sedans. The modest 68-degree temperature makes this primarily a warm-water curiosity rather than a soaking destination. Fremont Point Cabin, rebuilt in 2015 after fire destroyed the original, offers rental lodging 17.1 kilometers away on the Winter Rim.
Is Buckhorn Creek Springs worth visiting?
Best for
- Overnight camping trips
Overview Fremont Point Cabin is located on top of the Winter Rim in North Central Lake County, Oregon. The newly constructed cabin, which was completed in the summer of 2015, sits on the same footprint as its predecessor, which was destroyed during a forest fire in 2002. Through numerous donations of funding, materials, and volunteer labor, the cabin has been rebuilt and is now ready for you to enjoy. While the cabin is available year-round, off season access may be limited to foot or snowmob...