East Lake Hot Springs
East Lake Hot Springs emerges at 144°F on the shore of East Lake within the Newberry Volcano caldera, flowing 103.8°F above the 40.2°F ambient air temperature at one of Oregon's coldest thermal spring settings. Located just 117 meters from National Forest Development Road 21, the spring provides open public access within Deschutes National Forest's protected volcanic landscape, where recent measurements confirm geothermally active conditions.
The spring flows directly into East Lake at approximately 6,400 feet elevation within the collapsed caldera of Newberry Volcano, one of the largest volcanoes in the Cascade Range. The setting features lava flows, obsidian formations, and pumice deposits under a dense lodgepole pine and mountain hemlock forest receiving 25.6 inches of precipitation and 102.7 inches of snow annually. The lake occupies the eastern portion of the caldera, with Paulina Lake filling the western side, both perched above massive magma chambers that fuel the region's geothermal activity.
Newberry Volcano has erupted periodically over the past 500,000 years, with the most recent eruption occurring approximately 1,300 years ago at the Big Obsidian Flow. Indigenous peoples, including the Klamath and Northern Paiute, utilized the caldera lakes for fishing and collected obsidian for toolmaking. The springs became accessible to Euro-American visitors after Forest Service road construction in the mid-20th century. East Lake Campground was developed to accommodate visitors drawn to the fishing and unique volcanic landscape, now part of Newberry National Volcanic Monument established in 1990.
East Lake Campground sits just 200 meters from the springs with reservable sites filling quickly in summer. The high elevation means the area is typically snow-covered November through May, with roads closed until late spring. The 144°F water is dangerously hot and emerges directly into the lake; wading is possible only where thermal and cold water mix. Bring layered clothing for cold nights even in summer, as temperatures average just 40°F annually. Combine with hikes to Paulina Peak, Big Obsidian Flow, and Paulina Falls.
Is East Lake Hot Springs worth visiting?
Best for
- Observing powerful hot springs
- Overnight camping trips
Not ideal for
- Casual soaking
Overview East Lake Campground sits at the edge of beautiful East Lake in the caldera of Newberry Volcano. Most sites in this campground are on the lake or no more than a few minutes walk away. There are opportunities for bird watching, bicycling, sightseeing, and canoeing. East Lake is a little shadier than the other lakes and is a perfect way to beat the heat of the summer. There are nearby hikes into the lava rock and close by waterfalls. The area is part of the Newberry National Monument...