Summer Lake Hot Springs, OR

I'm going to start with a very bold statement - This was my favorite stop of the trip yet. It was weird and desolate, a hidden secret with immense beauty and healing powers. A place where the never ending, deep blue sky is crisscrossed with white jet streams and birds of prey. If the people above only knew about the sanctuary below them. 

Brian heard about this place while sharpening our skis at a small ski shop in Mammoth. Brian tells the story much better than I, but the guys in the shop were enthralled with our travels and when Brian said we were heading up to Bend, this young man raved about the Summer Lake Hot Springs. Even when we altered our route slightly and headed further west so we could ski Mt. Shasta, we decided to go check this place out. It was a gorgeous drive through the Oregon high dessert. If we hadn't known about this place, we would have driven right by it. There are about 10 RV sites and several cabins available to rent. Then there are the hot springs. One large building houses a big pool and outside the building are 3 rock hot tubs continuously filled with hot mineral rich water.

From their website I extracted this information about "The Journey of Water" - Traveling from an aquifer nearly one mile below the surface, fresh water is heated by volcanic conditions and through pressure, the now hot water is forced upward along the Slide Mountain fault line.  On its journey, the water absorbs various minerals before it comes out of the ground at 106°F to 113°F. This water is then channeled to the large soaking pool, various outdoor rock pools and geothermal floor heating.  It is high in silica and you will notice a silky and soft feeling on your skin soon upon entering in the water.

It was so silky smooth and so relaxing and so utterly good for the soul. Brian and I sat in the outdoor tub looking at the stars and feeling the strong breeze in our hair with only the hot, rejuvenating water from beneath the earth's surface around us. 

We awoke early for sunrise and for one more soak before heading out. We also chatted with the owner, Duane Graham, and some of the other guests staying in the cabins. So, if you ever find yourself in south central Oregon near Paisley, do yourself a favor and stop by the Summer Lake Hot Springs, your mind, body and soul will be so thankful. 

 Owner, Duane Graham

Next Stop: Bend, Oregon