Quick FactsOverview
About Ritter Hot Springs
Ritter Hot Springs, Oregon is a historic geothermal resort on the bank of the Middle Fork John Day River in Grant County, eastern Oregon, at the end of Ritter Road approximately 65 miles north of John Day. The property features a large outdoor swimming pool 40 by 60 feet in size and four private soaking tubs in a century-old bathhouse across the river, accessible via a suspension footbridge. The geothermal source produces water at 109 degrees Fahrenheit and has drawn visitors to this remote canyon location for over 160 years. The resort has been closed to general public access since around 2020 under new ownership and is now available only for private rentals. This listing documents the site for informational purposes.
The springs were first documented by European settlers in the 1850s and originally called McDuffee Hot Springs after their discoverer. The name was changed to Ritter in 1910 to honour a local Baptist minister and postmaster. A general store built in 1894 still stands on the property, and the two-story Ritter Hotel dates to 1905. The surrounding area is known for rockhounding, with zeolites including heulandite, chabazite, and stilbite found in the hills nearby. The John Day River provides fishing opportunities and the broader region sits between the Umatilla and Malheur National Forests.
Location & Access
Location of Ritter Hot Springs
Ritter Hot Springs is reached by turning west off US-395 between the communities of Dale and Long Creek in Grant County, then following Ritter Road for approximately 10 miles through the Middle Fork John Day River canyon to the property at the end of the road. The drive from US-395 takes around 15 to 20 minutes on a paved road. The town of Long Creek, approximately 20 miles south on US-395, is the nearest community with basic services. John Day, about 65 miles south, is the nearest town with more substantial services including fuel, groceries, and accommodation.
The property is currently closed to general public access under new ownership and is available only for private rentals. No directions are provided here to facilitate visiting without a rental arrangement, as doing so would constitute trespassing on private property. Those who have arranged a legitimate rental stay can find the property at Ritter, OR 97856 at the end of Ritter Road, accessed from US-395. For those seeking accessible hot springs near John Day in eastern Oregon, Hot Lake Springs in the La Grande area and Crystal Crane Hot Springs near Burns offer legal public access without the current restrictions at Ritter.
Suitability & Accessibility
Suitability and Accessibility of Ritter Hot Springs
Ritter Hot Springs is not available for general public visits and is currently accessible only to parties who have arranged a private rental with the current owners. The property is private and the status of public access has been closed since approximately 2020. This listing is provided for informational purposes only. Any visit without a formal rental arrangement is trespassing on private property.
For those who do arrange a private rental, the property historically offered a large outdoor pool and four private soaking tubs accessible via a suspension footbridge over the Middle Fork John Day River. The walk to the bathhouse involves a short uphill path after crossing the bridge. The remote setting in a river canyon in Grant County involves unpaved access roads and very limited services in the surrounding area.
The remote eastern Oregon canyon location is approximately 65 miles from the nearest significant town and has extremely limited mobile phone signal. The setting has historically suited guests who are comfortable with rustic conditions and self-sufficient travel in a remote mountain environment. For those seeking hot springs in Oregon with more reliable public access and established visitor infrastructure, Crystal Crane Hot Springs near Burns is the most comparable developed option in eastern Oregon.
Safety & Etiquette
Ritter Hot Springs Safety Tips
Ritter Hot Springs is currently closed to the public under private ownership, and the primary safety concern associated with this site is the risk of attempting to visit without a legitimate rental arrangement. The property is private and visiting without permission constitutes trespassing. The remote canyon road to Ritter ends at the property, meaning that unauthorised visitors have no other reason to be at the end of the road and would be clearly on private land.
The area around Ritter is extremely remote, with very limited mobile phone coverage and emergency response times that could be measured in hours. The road involves approximately 10 miles of rural canyon road from US-395, which can become impassable in wet weather or winter snow. Visitors who arrange legitimate rental stays should plan for these conditions by bringing sufficient food, water, and fuel before leaving US-395.
The geothermal source produces water at 109 degrees Fahrenheit, hot enough to cause burns without testing or mixing first. The private soaking tubs require that guests test water temperature before soaking. The suspension footbridge over the Middle Fork John Day River should be crossed with care, particularly in wet conditions or during high water periods. There are no lifeguards or safety staff at this property.
Rattlesnakes have been reported around the bathhouse and property. Guests should be aware of this when moving through vegetation or rocky areas near the tubs and hillside. The historic store and hotel buildings may have uneven surfaces and limited lighting. Anyone visiting should exercise caution around older structures.
