About Alvord Hot Springs

Enjoy the evening stars or the view of Steens Mountain while soaking in the natural hot springs. Located in the Alvord Desert, this weekend retreat is something you don't want to miss. Alvord Hot Springs is privately owned by the Davis family with on-site caretakers, a small store/reception center, restrooms, bunkhouses and campsites.

The pools are near the East base of the Steens Mountains, one mile below the summit at the edge of the Alvord Desert. The water comes out of the ground at 170 degrees and cools when mixed with the soaking pools. Overnight guests can use the pool at any hour, while day-use visitors are welcome during normal business hours.

Reviews & Ratings

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August 29, 2025

P2352DCkirstenr

Awesome Experience

We loved our stay in one of the bunkers at Alvord Hot Springs! It was a great upgrade from tent camping and a nice way to get out of the weather during our trip. Talking with Paul was a highlight; he really made our stay, and I learned so much about ranching and the surrounding area. We left with a bunch of Alvord Ranch beef! The hot springs were amazing, especially early in the morning, and the location was perfect for accessing the playa. Can’t wait to come back!
August 17, 2025

John H B

Nasty hot springs, and even nastier experience!

DO NOT waste your time, money, or effort on this hot springs "experience". 50 years ago, the facility was no more or less than a tin sided enclosure and an open cement pool. Funky but simple, and cleaner than expected. Currently, there is group of "bunkers" that resemble a shipping container motel, and an "office" run by a cantankerous, pot-bellied 50-something punk. This is next to a parking lot that apparently (no signage) accommodates people wishing to use the hot spring facility, which Is about 75 yards across the dessert (again, no signage). I learned after we parked and my kids walked to the hot springs that there is a $30 charge per person (again, no signage). Just as my kids got to the hot springs, the pot-bellied punk manager emerged from his office and waddled out to the hot springs to confront my "scofflaw" kids. Then he came back and took a picture of my license plate. When I asked him what was going on, he said he was going to report me to the Oregon State Patrol for trespassing. After a lively debate, I grudgingly paid 90 bucks for my three kids who were already back at the car, deciding that the hot springs was just to slimy to sit in. To reiterate, DO NOT patronize this shoddy, overpriced, disappointing hot springs.
June 4, 2025

sjo1972

enjoyed!

While there aren't any trees, and this is definitely a "no frills" campground (no water, no showers, 1-2 toilets), we enjoyed our stay! the lady answering the phones and running the office is OUTSTANDING!!! She helped us know things ahead of time on the phone, and even helped when we didn't have cell service and my husband was separated from us! She's lovely!
December 18, 2024

Ted L

Misleading website, mucho $, laughed at, crappy facilities, water too hot, but, other than that, great! : )

Going off a glossy-broshure of a website, I arrived at dusk, in a snowstorm in February. After a laugh about arriving in a blizzard with Alaska plates, I was told it would be $50, not $20 ("that website is outdated") for a night in a plain-old gravel parking lot. A gal next to the man snickered as I paid up. I'll bet they had a good laugh later on. I felt chiseled, but had little choice. Next morning, I went to the pool. The shelter was old sheet-metal and lumber cobbled together. I'm ok with that. "Cowboy" can be part of the fun. Have to say that, in addition, the water was almost too hot (10 minutes max), smelled of sulfer, and when I dumbly dunked my head under, hurt my eyes pretty bad. Some beer cans and cigarette butts were laying around from last night's party. I'm ok with cowboy, but don't like being ripped off and laughed at. Sad.
November 1, 2024

Jackie_Payton

Decent Stay

My father works as one of the camp host at the hot springs. This would give me a natural bias towards this place but I shall try my best to stay away from such claims. I enjoyed the stay though. There are several activities to go to while there. While I’m unsure of the prices due to the mentioned father working at the hot springs but if you don’t mind prices then there is no reason to not go. In several aspects they can be decided as better than nearby hot springs. They are more lenient on some rules, such as nudity but also has some strange rules as well. I.E no walking or driving off paths. But even that has a reason. The reason is that the owner wishes to keep the land in a natural state. And if people walk on it then others will follow, creating an unnatural path. While they don’t have much in the store compared to people near by they do have meat you can buy and cook on the grill outside. (Using the grill is free) Regarding complaints about the hot springs, I do wish to explain that the cleaning of bunk houses, The hot spring and regulation of the hot spring temperature is the staff’s job. So if something is inadequate please go address it to the staff. It is more rugged and tough. Not for people wanting luxury. There is the lake bed. But be careful because it can be muddy. There’s another path which if you get to the top is a very beautiful spot. Though if you’re someone who likes the comfort of a nice bed and a TV, then do not come. If you’re not one to get out in the dirt then this is likely not for you. One last disclaimer: Bring your own sheets and blankets. They do not provide any. Just remember that.

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Alvord Hot Springs

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About Alvord Hot Springs

Reviews & Ratings

Awesome Experience

Nasty hot springs, and even nastier experience!

enjoyed!

Misleading website, mucho $, laughed at, crappy facilities, water too hot, but, other than that, great! : )

Decent Stay

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