Willow Creek Hot Springs (Whitehorse Ranch Hot Springs)

What to expect

Willow Creek Hot Springs is a single, deep desert pool in the far southeast of Oregon, about 20 miles north of the Nevada line. Many people know it as Whitehorse Ranch Hot Springs, after the historic cattle ranch you pass on the way in. It sits on Bureau of Land Management land in open sagebrush hills near the Trout Creek Mountains, with very little else in any direction.

The main pool is round, clear and fairly deep, with a sandy bottom where the hot water bubbles up. A low mortar dam holds it in and separates it from a larger, cooler pool below. Oregon’s state geothermal database records the water at about 115°F46°C where it rises. By the time it fills the main pool it is usually about 100-104°F38-40°C, close to perfect for a long soak, though wind and cold air pull it down. The overflow pool runs cooler, around 85-95°F29-35°C.

Beside the springs, the BLM has a small camping area. Recent visitors report several designated sites with picnic tables, metal fire rings and a vault toilet. That makes this one of the easier remote desert springs to stay at: you can pitch a tent or park a van and walk a few steps to the water at sunrise.

It is generally clean and quiet, but it is not unknown. Some visitors report late-night groups and litter. Please leave it better than you found it.

Getting there

This is a long drive on gravel and dirt. Download offline maps and save the coordinates before you leave pavement, because signage is minimal.

From Fields (the closest town):

1. Drive south on Oregon Route 205 for about 8 miles.
2. Turn left (east) onto Whitehorse Ranch Lane, a gravel road.
3. Follow it for about 23 miles.
4. Turn right (south) onto the dirt road and drive about 2.5 miles to the springs.

From Burns or US-95:

1. From Burns, take OR-78 southeast for about 91 miles to its junction with US-95.
2. Bear right on US-95 and drive about 21 miles to Whitehorse Ranch Lane, between mileposts 87 and 88.
3. Turn right (west) and follow it about 21 miles to Whitehorse Ranch, then about 2.8 miles more.
4. Turn left (south) onto the dirt road and continue about 2.5 miles.

Whitehorse Ranch Lane is mostly firm, washboarded gravel, and visitors report driving it in ordinary cars when it is dry. The last 2.5 miles are soft dirt, and after rain they turn to deep mud that can strand even four-wheel-drive vehicles. Do not try it in wet weather. Whitehorse Ranch itself is private, so stay on the main road as you pass.

When to go

Late spring and early fall are the sweet spot. The roads are usually dry, the days are mild and the nights are cold enough to make the hot pool feel right.

Summer works, but the desert gets very hot in the middle of the day. Soak early, late or after dark, when the sky is full of stars.

Winter and early spring bring snow and mud. The springs do not close, but getting there can be the problem, and help is a long way off if you get stuck.

Weekdays are quieter than weekends, and holiday weekends can bring a few groups to the campsites.

Rules and etiquette

• No fee. There is no charge to soak or camp, and no pass or permit is needed.
• Camp in the designated sites, not beside the pool. Guides say camping is not allowed within 100 feet of the springs.
• Fires only in the metal fire rings, and only when BLM fire restrictions allow. Summer bans are common in this district.
• No soap or shampoo in the pool, and no glass. The pool is clear because people have kept it that way.
• Pack out all trash, including food scraps. There is no garbage service.
• Share the main pool. If you have been in a while and people are waiting, move down to the cooler pool.

Clothing is left to visitors. Some people soak nude, especially at night, and families also camp here, so be considerate of whoever else turns up.

Where to stay nearby

• The BLM camping area at the springs is the obvious choice. It is free and first come, first served. Bring all your water.
• Fields has a small store and cafe with gas, well known for its milkshakes. It is the nearest place to fill up, about an hour away.
• Alvord Hot Springs, north of Fields at the foot of Steens Mountain, has paid private camping and bunkhouses if you want more structure.

Safety notes

• Remoteness: the nearest services are an hour or more away. Carry extra water, food, a full-size spare tire and a way to call for help that does not depend on cell service. Some visitors report a weak signal at the campsite, but do not rely on it.
• Mud: watch the forecast. A short storm can turn the last stretch of road into a trap.
• Heat: the main pool is warm enough to raise your body temperature on a summer day. Drink plenty of water and keep soaks short in the heat.
• Rattlesnakes are common on the rocky butte above the springs. Wear shoes and watch where you step on the hill trail.
• Livestock: cattle graze the open range here. Drive slowly and close any gates you open.

Nearby stops worth adding

A short trail climbs the small butte beside the springs for a wide view over the sagebrush and the Trout Creek Mountains. On the way in or out, pair Willow Creek with the hot springs of the Alvord Desert area north of Fields. In the other direction, US-95 leads east toward the Owyhee country and Three Forks Warm Springs, a much harder trip.