Ritter Hot Springs
Ritter Hot Springs flows at 106°F in Grant County, Oregon, emerging at 2,710 feet elevation just 112 meters from Ritter Hot Spur Road. The spring produces water 56 degrees warmer than the surrounding air in the forested uplands near John Day, accessible with minimal walking effort.
The spring emerges in the transition zone between montane forest and high desert, where juniper and ponderosa pine mix at mid-elevation. At 2,710 feet, the area receives 23 inches of annual precipitation and 51 inches of snow. Rolling hills characteristic of the Blue Mountains' western edge surround the site, with the John Day River system draining valleys to the north. The landscape shows historical logging and grazing use.
Historical records for this spring are sparse. The Ritter name likely honors an early settler family or prospector, following common Oregon naming patterns of the homestead era. The spring appears undeveloped in government surveys from 1980 onward. No documented Indigenous or commercial resort history has been located.
The 112-meter walk from Ritter Hot Spur Road makes this among the easier backcountry springs to reach. Best access is June through October when roads are passable. Snow accumulation of 51 inches closes routes in winter. Ditch Creek Guard Station, a 1930s CCC cabin, offers reservable lodging 30 kilometers southeast.
Is Ritter Hot Springs worth visiting?
Best for
- Hot spring soaking
- Overnight camping trips
Overview Ditch Creek Guard Station, located about 27 miles southeast of Heppner, Oregon, is a comfortable little cabin that accommodates six overnight guests, with additional space for tent camping outside. Equestrian campers are welcome and a corral with trough is provided. The guard station was originally built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the mid-1930s. It is a classic example of forest structures of that era and is eligible for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Plac...