Hart Mountain Hot Springs and National Antelop Refuge in Southern Oregon
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42.501
119.693
ANTELOPE/HART MOUNTAIN HOT SPRINGS MAP QUAD:
CAMPBELL LAKE 7.5
View Oregon Hot Springs in a larger map
42.501
119.693
ANTELOPE/HART MOUNTAIN HOT SPRINGS MAP QUAD:
CAMPBELL LAKE 7.5
Beautiful scenery! It has been recently rebuilt with native rock to fit its surroundings better instead of plain concrete. If you do a little exploring, there is a second pool, but its location is secret.
Visited Hart Mountain for the first time Memorial Day weekend. The springs were lovely. The developed spring was deep – over my head in spots. The undeveloped spring was, for me, more enjoyable. It’s unimpeded views of the mountains were top notch. There is a third spring, as well, but it’s very small and muddy, probably not suitable for soaking.
My only issue was that some of the campers in the campground were rather disrespectful and loud. In the spot next to ours, someone left their dog tied up alone all day, so it was crying and howling into the evening.
Overall, it was a beautiful trip with great hiking and wildlife in the area.
Visited Hart Mountain for the first time Memorial Day weekend. The springs were lovely. The developed spring was deep – over my head in spots. The undeveloped spring was, for me, more enjoyable. It’s unimpeded views of the mountains were top notch. There is a third spring, as well, but it’s very small and muddy, probably not suitable for soaking.
My only issue was that some of the campers in the campground were rather disrespectful and loud. In the spot next to ours, someone left their dog tied up alone all day, so it was crying and howling into the evening.
Overall, it was a beautiful trip with great hiking and wildlife in the area.
Thanks for the update, Nicole! Sorry to hear about the unruly campers, that is unfortunate. Glad you were able to enjoy the high desert regardless!
FYI, over the course of the last few months I’ve received a total of 3 trip reports that state Hart now has red spider mites 🙁 It has been added to ‘the list’.
My best guess as to why is that hot springers are inadvertently transporting the mites from nearby hot springs in NV.
Here’s the list: http://www.idahohotsprings.com/education/hot-springs-red-spider-mites.htm
One of my favorite spots to camp, bow hunt, rock hound, and have a nice private hot soak. Lots of cool Jasper, Petrified wood, and Fire Opal on the western parts of the mountain. Found a 14 lb. Opal. The bath is in great demand during summer, fall, take turns, or use at off hours. Steps are slippery. Totally enclosed, with benches
When is the earliest month to visit Oregon hot springs? I’ll be driving north on Hwy 1 from California. Thanks.
Hi Rose, I believe you can get in anytime as long as the roads are clear.
Did anyone visit this summer (2013)? How busy is it typically, especially when antelope are in higher density?
Are the red spider mites still a problem? Are they actually inside the springs or nearby? Just a few questions from a beginning hot springer (US at least).
I have yet to visit the High Desert and the one of the most intriguing places of SE Oregon to me is the Hart Mountain area, namely for wildlife viewing at the antelope refuge. Knowing there’s a hot spring that close makes it even more attractive of a destination. Plus there’s a theory that the pronghorn are so fast because the long-since-extinct North American cheetah used to hunt it.
Spent the night here March 7, 2014. Warm day cold nights. Hot springs is like a warm bath. Walking distance from the camp grounds.
Read your comment regarding opal on Hart. Been looking for the area for a few years. Do you have any clues you would be willing to share?
During the limited entry hunts the place is crowded. I had a tag Sept 5 and showed up two days early. I got one of the last two sites in the hot spring camp ground. There was never a crowd in the hot spring. Avoid the hunt dates and you should be fine.
hey Opalfinder,
I am going to start scouting the western slopes of the mountain as well,
there was a precious opal field that was found there in the 1920’s
http://books.google.com/books?id=vGewAkLkmvIC&pg=PA100&lpg=PA100&dq=Hart+mountain+opal+field&source=bl&ots=Lb6xesr9om&sig=vld9PkWlO55bay8INz0Vi3jK9Yg&hl=en&sa=X&ei=R85lU9qiGcmCogSi-4DQAw&ved=0CCkQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=Hart%20mountain%20opal%20field&f=false
Thanks for posting! How was the camping grounds? Is it free to camp there? Is there a fee for the hot spring?
There were no fees when we were there of any kind. Camping areas each have a fire ring with a cooking grate. Very beautiful area.