Revision as of 17:13, 22 October 2018

Outdoor pool at Hart Mountain Hot Springs (bobcat)

The main hot spring (David K.)

Parking at the trailhead and hot springs (bobcat)

Campsite on Bond Creek, Hart Mountain Hot Springs (bobcat)

• Weather forecast: NWS/NOAA
• Maps: Oregon Hikers Maps Google Maps
• Latitude, Longitude: 42.4991, -119.6928
• Elevation: 5945 feet
• Driving Time: 85 minutes from Lakeview; 160 minutes from Burns

Hikes starting here

• Barnhardy Basin Loop Hike   (TH | <—   —> | LOG)
• Warner Peak Hike   (TH | <—   —> | LOG)

Description

There is a very primitive campground here. Pit toilets and fire rings are about the only amenities. There are 30 numbered sites. There's a map of the campground at the headquarters. You have to register to camp, but there is no fee. After it's rained, it's rather muddy. Many of the campsites are inaccessible then. There's a sign on the registration board giving the names of tow companies that will rescue you if you get stuck in the mud.

Probably most of the people at the campground are here for the hot springs. There is a rock privacy wall around the spring, which is basically just a hole in the ground surrounded by concrete deck and two wood benches. During June, it was about 101 degrees - very nice for a hot spring. Someone said that in the winter, when the air temperature is 20 degrees, it's too cool to stay in very long. There's another pool, down the closed jeep road from the main hot spring. There's no privacy enclosure. This pool is warmer. You might want to use this in the winter when the main pool is too cool.

Driving Directions

Via Lakeview: From the center of Lakeview at 4th Street (Highway 140) and G Street (Highway 395), drive north on Highway 140/395 for Burns. After 4.7 miles, turn right onto Highway 140 fro Adel, Plush, and Winnemucca.

Proceed 15.8 miles, and bear left on Plush Cutoff Road for Plush and the Hart Mountain Refuge.

Go 19.8 miles, make a sharp left onto Hogback Road as you enter Plush, and turn right onto Hart Mountain Road for Hart Mountain and Frenchglen.

In 2.0 miles, make a sharp right turn to stay on Hart Mountain Road.

Drive 11.5 miles to pass through extensive wetlands and then drive along the base of the Warner Rim.

The pavement ends at the junction with County Road 3-11, but keep going straight 3.8 miles to enter the Hart Mountain National Antelope Refuge.

Now drive another 6.0 miles up the rim and to a junction at the refuge headquarters.

Turn right here for the Hot Springs Campground, and proceed 1.6 miles to the junction with Blue Sky Road.

Stay right here on Hot Springs Road, and go another 2.5 miles to make a right turn.

Descend 0.2 miles to a parking area near the stone-walled bathhouse at the hot springs.

Via Burns and Frenchglen: From the center of Burns at Broadway and Monroe Street (Highway 78), continue east for 1.7 miles.

Make a right turn onto Highway 205 for Frenchglen and Denio, and drive south for 59 miles into Frenchglen.

From Frenchglen, you’ll continue another 7.0 miles before turning right onto gravel, all-weather Rock Creek Lane.

After 22.9 miles, cross a cattle grid, and enter the Hart Mountain National Antelope Refuge (There’s a welcome kiosk 0.3 miles farther on).

Continue 18.6 miles to the intersection at the refuge headquarters.

Keep left here for the Hot Springs Campground, and proceed 1.6 miles to the junction with Blue Sky Road.

Stay right here on Hot Springs Road, and go another 2.5 miles to make a right turn.

Descend 0.2 miles to a parking area near the stone-walled bathhouse at the hot springs.

Fees and Regulations

• Enclosed and open hot spring pools
• Vault toilet
• Campground (no drinking water) nearby - no fee for camping
• Wear long pants to protect your legs
• Barnhardy Road open to vehicles August through November

Contributors

• User:retiredjerry (creator)
• User:David K. (photos)

Map

There is a map available at the HQ, not very much detail: