Mickey Hot Springs
Princeton, Oregon
| Address: | ~Mickey Alvord Wells Rd, Princeton, OR 97721, USA |
| GPS: |
42°40'35.2"N 118°20'46.3"W Maps | Directions |
| State: | Oregon |
Hot Springs
Mickey Hot Springs is a fascinating geothermal area on the remote northern edge of the Alvord Desert in southeastern Oregon — a “miniature Yellowstone” of steaming pools, gurgling mud pots, and hissing vents scattered across the high desert. Managed by the Bureau of Land Management, this otherworldly, off-the-beaten-path spot rewards adventurous travelers with a rare up-close look at Oregon's volcanic underbelly.
The site is small but genuinely captivating, with brilliantly colored thermal pools, a bubbling mud pot, and a small geyser-like feature, all set against the stark beauty of the surrounding desert. It's a wonderful place to explore on foot, photograph, and marvel at the raw geothermal activity.
Crucial safety warning: these springs are NOT for soaking. The pools here are dangerously hot — some reaching close to boiling (as high as roughly 200°F) — and the ground around them is a thin, fragile crust that can break underfoot and plunge you into scalding water. This is not a soaking destination; it is a look-but-don't-touch geothermal area. Serious burns and even deaths have occurred here. Stay on solid ground, keep well back from the edges of the pools, watch children closely, and keep dogs leashed at all times, as pets have been badly injured chasing into the hot water.
The site is remote, primitive, and free, with no facilities and a rough access road — come self-sufficient with plenty of water, a full tank of gas, and no reliance on cell service. Treat it with the respect a natural hazard deserves, tread lightly, and pack out everything. Viewed safely and from a distance, Mickey Hot Springs is an unforgettable window into the geology of the Oregon Outback.
More Information
Mickey Hot Springs
Mickey Hot Springs is home to a series of geothermal pools that bubble up from deep within the earth, creating a colorful and otherworldly landscape that’s truly breathtaking. The hot springs…
https://soakoregon.com/mickey-hot-springs/Mickey Hot Springs - Wikipedia
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mickey_Hot_Springs
Be careful. Pay attention to posted signs and always test the waters before you get in. Some hot springs can get up to boiling temperatures. Be sure to drink plenty of water to combat the dehydrating effect of the spring.
Be respectful of other soakers and the hot spring. Don't hog the pool. Camp at least 200 yards away and keep fires in designated areas. Keep your pets out of the water and never pee in thermal feature. Glass bottles should never go near a hot spring.
- Plan Ahead and Prepare
- Travel & camp on durable surfaces
- Dispose of waste properly
- Leave what you find
- Minimize campfire impacts
- Respect wildlife
- Be considerate of other visitors
Directions
From Princeton, Oregon
- Head south on OR-78 E toward Lava Bed Rd (27.4 mi)
- Turn right onto Folly Farm Rd (2.5 mi)
- Continue onto Fields-Denio Rd (28.2 mi)
- Turn left onto E Steens Rd (0.4 mi)
- Continue onto Fields-Denio Rd (463 ft)
- Turn left (4.2 mi)
- Continue straight (1.8 mi)
- Turn right (449 ft)
Other Hot Springs Nearby
Alvord Hot Springs
Princeton, Oregon
13.2 miles SWA rebuilt roadside hot spring in Oregon's remote Alvord Desert — now a commercial site with parking, bathrooms, camping, showers, and a $5 day-use fee.
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Borax Lake Hot Springs
Princeton, Oregon
27.0 miles SWA small BLM lake in Oregon's Alvord Desert fed by 95°F thermal vents — warm enough to feel good in summer, with the ruins of an old Borax Works station nearby.
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Willow Creek Hot Springs
Fields, Oregon
28.0 miles SDeep in Oregon's high desert, this near-perfect 102°F soaking pool sits miles from anywhere on an all-season road — impassable in rain, utterly worth it when dry.
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