Try the bunkhouses.
This is a commercial hot spring that cannot be measured by conventional values.
North American Eagle Project
There are several natural hot springs in the Alvord Desert, east of Steens Mountain, including Mickey Hot Springs, but this is the only commercial hot spring facility.
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ReferenceMickey Hot Springs - Hot Springs in Oregon
A miniature version of Yellowstone National Park. From a distance that could inadvertently kill you, you can observe various geothermal activities that are no less impressive than the original. If Mickey Mouse is an American symbol The great Yellowstone National ...
Alvord Hot Springs is located along Fields-Denio Road.
The road 30 miles north and 12 miles south of the hot spring is unpaved, but it should be possible to drive through in most vehicles.
In addition to the campsite, the bunkhouse is also worth mentioning as an accommodation option.
This is a MASH (Mobile Army Surgical Hospital) that is thought to be a military surplus item used in the Gulf War.
I didn't use it because it was a walk-in, but it looked really interesting.
The office was a simple general store, and they said they would grill and serve beef from the ranch next door.
It was only a few minutes' walk from the car park to the hot spring.
On the way, I saw a colorful and strange bench.
This was a memorial item to remember Jesse Combs, the driver who died in the North American Eagle Project in 2019.
Jessi, who was attempting to break the land speed record of 800 mph in the flat Alvord Desert, died when she collided with a foreign object at high speed, causing an explosion and fire.
After her death, she was recognized by Guinness World Records for setting a new land speed record for women.
Whether You Find It Worthwhile
Alvoord Hot Springs was open to the public free of charge until 2013, even though it was on private land.
Even after it was commercialized, it is said that the bathhouse, which looked like a crude shack, was rarely renovated.
Clothing was optional, and there was a changing room.
There were two pools, one completely outdoors and the other covered with tin walls.
Let's take a look at the outdoor pool.
In the yellowish-looking water, there were three objects that looked like metal chairs.
It had two valves, so you could freely pour in geothermal water at 138 degrees F and cold water.
A slight metallic smell was detected at the water outlet.
The walled-in area had the same structure, and there was no ceiling.
Algae was growing inside the pool, and it seemed that the cleaning was left up to soakers.
As there were no showers, the hygiene conditions were exactly the same as at a wild hot spring.
I followed the hot spring river as it flowed from the direction of Fields-Denio Road.
A reddish-brown source was discovered at the fault line at the very western edge of the Alvord Desert.
Hot water at 169 degrees F gushed out naturally, and from here the piping started parallel to the hot spring river.
From the spring, I looked out over the desert, past the shack.
There was something that definitely resonated with my sensibilities.
Summary
Alvord Hot Springs, Princeton, Oregon, U.S.
My rating
Type: Walk-in, Lodging
Rule: Clothing optional
Chemical use: Not detected
Water temp: Up to 169 degrees F
