Howard Holiday
Howard Holiday flows at 77°F in Klamath County near Klamath Falls, emerging at 4,107 feet elevation approximately 157 meters from Green Springs Drive. The spring registers about 28 degrees above ambient conditions in a climate averaging 50°F annually, requiring a short walk to access this modest thermal feature in transitional forest between the Cascades and Basin and Range provinces.
The spring emerges at 4,107 feet elevation where ponderosa pine and white fir forests transition toward mixed woodland. Annual precipitation totals 20.3 inches with 53.9 inches of snow, supporting conifer dominance on moister aspects. The surrounding terrain features volcanic plateaus and cinder cones characteristic of the Cascade-Basin and Range transition zone. Views extend north toward Mount McLoughlin. Topsy Campground lies 18.6 kilometers northwest on the restored Klamath River, where recent dam removals have revitalized riparian and aquatic ecosystems in open ponderosa pine forest.
The spring's unusual name suggests early 20th-century recreational or homestead origins, though specific documentation remains elusive. The Klamath Basin supported millennia of Indigenous use before Euro-American settlement in the 1860s. The spring has remained undeveloped, known primarily to locals and noted in geological surveys but not commercialized.
Access requires a 157-meter walk from Green Springs Drive, passable during snow-free months typically May through October. The 77°F temperature is marginally warm for soaking; users would need to create pools. Bring containers and diversion materials if planning thermal use. Winter's 54-inch snow average makes access difficult. Topsy Campground 19 kilometers northwest offers riverside camping and fishing. Combine visits with Klamath River restoration sites or drives along the Green Springs Highway scenic corridor.
Is Howard Holiday worth visiting?
Best for
- Overnight camping trips
Located on the rugged shoreline of the newly restored Klamath River, the Topsy Campground provides a quiet location for relaxing camping, picnicking, fishing, and river boating. The area is set in an open ponderosa pine forest with nearby views of Mount McLoughlin, an icon of the southern Oregon Cascade Mountains.Know Before You Go:Open Season Topsy Campground is open seasonally from May through October.13 Campsites with picnic tables, fire rings, and tent pads; first come, first serve.Univer...