Quick FactsOverview
About Fisher Hot Springs
Fisher Hot Springs, Oregon is a free, primitive geothermal spring in the Warner Valley of Lake County, southeastern Oregon, approximately 14 miles northeast of the small community of Adel and 42 miles east of Lakeview. The source emerges from a hillside at approximately 154 degrees Fahrenheit and flows into a channel before being diverted via a hose into one or two soaking tubs. The tubs cool slowly to a soakable range, and visitors often need to wait for the water temperature to drop before entering. Source water is far too hot to enter directly.
Fisher Hot Springs is one of seven springs in the Crump Geyser Geothermal Area in the Warner Valley, historically associated with the Crump Geyser, once one of the largest continuously erupting geysers in the United States. The spring source sits on public BLM land, while the soaking tubs and the small parking area with a fire pit are on adjacent private property. Visitors are asked to respect the private land and leave no trace.
The site is open year-round and there is no fee. No facilities are present. Clothing is optional. Overnight camping at the parking area fire pit is informal and not prohibited, and camping on surrounding BLM land is allowed. The access road is recommended for high-clearance vehicles and becomes impassable in wet weather.
Location & Access
Getting to Fisher Hot Springs
Fisher Hot Springs is reached from Adel by heading northeast on Plush-Adel Road and continuing into the Warner Valley. After approximately 14 miles from Adel, a ranch appears on the left side of the road; continue 0.9 miles past it to find a parking area with a fire pit on the right. The soaking tub is a short walk from the parking area. The last approximately 10 miles of the access route are unpaved and a high-clearance vehicle is recommended throughout. The road becomes impassable in wet weather or heavy rain.
Adel, approximately 14 miles to the southwest, is the nearest community with any services. Lakeview, 42 miles to the west, is the nearest full-service town with groceries, fuel, and accommodations. For those looking for natural hot springs near Lakeview, Fisher Hot Springs is one of the more remote and least-visited options in the region, offering a quiet desert setting and reliable year-round geothermal flow.
No permit is required and there is no fee. Downloading offline maps before departure is strongly recommended as cell service is absent in the Warner Valley. The GPS coordinates are approximately 42.2967, -119.7774. Visitors should inform someone of their itinerary before heading out given the remoteness of the area and the risk of becoming stranded if road conditions change.
Suitability & Accessibility
Who Fisher Hot Springs Is Suitable For
Fisher Hot Springs suits experienced desert travelers and visitors who enjoy a remote, self-managed soak in a quiet high-desert setting. The pipe-fed tubs require patience: the source water arrives at 135 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit from the hose and the tub must cool to a comfortable temperature before it is safe to enter. This may take several hours depending on conditions, ambient temperature, and how recently the tub was last used. Visitors who arrive expecting an immediately usable pool may be disappointed.
The site works well as an overnight destination combined with camping in the Warner Valley, which offers access to Hart Mountain National Antelope Refuge, Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, and the unique geology of the Warner Lakes basin. For those seeking natural hot springs near Lakeview with a more reliable ready-to-soak experience, Summer Lake Hot Springs to the northwest is the closest commercial option.
The site is not wheelchair accessible. The approach from the parking area to the tubs is a short walk on uneven ground. No facilities are present. The tubs and parking area are on private property; visitors should be respectful, leave no trace, and not camp within the immediate tub area. Clothing is optional. Camping is available on surrounding BLM land and informally at the parking area fire pit for those making an overnight trip.
Safety & Etiquette
Safety at Fisher Hot Springs
Fisher Hot Springs presents a significant heat hazard at the tub. The water arriving through the pipe from the source runs at 135 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit, far above safe soaking temperature and capable of causing serious burns on contact. Visitors must never enter a tub that has just been filled without first testing the temperature carefully. The tub must be partially emptied and allowed to cool, or partially diluted with cooler water, before soaking is safe.
Wooden boards around the tubs can shift and become slippery in wet conditions. The surrounding ground can be muddy after rain. Walking carefully and checking footing near the tub area is advisable. The source spring itself emerges at 154 degrees Fahrenheit and should not be approached or touched directly.
The Warner Valley is a remote environment with no cell service, no facilities, and emergency services located in Lakeview approximately 42 miles west. The access road is impassable in wet weather, which can strand vehicles. Checking road and weather conditions before visiting is essential. Visitors should carry sufficient water and supplies for the full trip as no services are available at or near the spring.
The tubs are on private property. Visitors should not damage or modify the tub structure or the pipe feed system. Leaving the tub partially filled with cooled water and the hose set aside is good practice for the next visitors. Pack out all waste and leave the area exactly as found. No soap or shampoo should be used in the tubs.
