Crane Hot Springs

What to expect

Crane Hot Springs sits on open sagebrush flats off Oregon Route 78, in the heart of Harney County. For most of its history it was called Crystal Crane Hot Springs, and plenty of maps and road signs still use that name. It is a small, family-run resort rather than a wild spring: an office, a cluster of cabins and themed suites, teepees, an RV park, and in the middle of it all a big, open hot spring pond.

The pond is the reason to come. It spreads over about 9,700 square feet and holds roughly 323,000 gallons of spring water. The operator gives its temperature as around 101°F38°C, with a range of about 99 to 102°F37 to 39°C, warm enough for a long soak in winter but not so hot that you have to keep climbing out. It is deep: the resort’s pages give the centre as about 5 feet on one page and 6 to 7 feet on another, so do not expect to sit on the bottom in the middle. Most people float, stand or hang on the edge. There is a faint sulfur smell.

The other option is a private tub. Five cedar-walled bathhouses each have a bench to change on, towel hooks and a tub with a tap of natural hot water, which you mix to the heat you want. The operator warns that the water from the tap can be very hot. Most tubs fit two adults comfortably.

Around you is the high desert, with very little light at night. Ponds on the property attract waterfowl, shorebirds and raptors, and birding groups stop here during the Harney County Migratory Bird Festival in spring.

Getting there

The resort is at 59315 Highway 78, roughly 25 miles southeast of Burns and a few miles west of the small town of Crane.

• From Burns: Take OR-78 (the Steens Highway) southeast out of town toward Crane. The resort is on the highway, and you can see it from the road.
• From Boise or the Snake River: Reach Burns Junction or Burns on US-95 and OR-78, then follow OR-78 to the resort.

Parking is right next to the office and the pond. Every vehicle needs a resort parking permit from the office, and cars without one can be towed.

Fuel is scarce in this part of Oregon. Fill up in Burns before you head out, especially if you plan to continue to Steens Mountain or the Alvord Desert.

When to go

Crane is open every day of the year.

Winter is the best time to soak. Desert nights are cold and clear, steam rolls off the pond, and the stars are bright. Snow and ice are possible on OR-78, so check road conditions.

Spring is bird season, when migrating flocks pass through Harney County and the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge.

Summer days are hot, and 101°F38°C water feels best after sunset.

Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday the pond is deep-cleaned between 7 and 10 am. It stays open, but you may share it with staff at work. A soaking feature the resort calls the Lobster Pot closes on Wednesday mornings for its own cleaning.

Prices and booking

Day use (2026 prices, 7 am to 10 pm):

• Outdoor pond, adults: $15 for 4 hours
• Ages 5 to 16: $10 for 4 hours
• Under 5: $1
• Seniors 62 and over: $5
• Harney County residents: $10, or $5 on Tuesdays
• Private soaking tub: $15 per person per hour, or $50 for two people for two hours
• Shower only: $5

Day visitors check in at the office and must leave by 10 pm. Book private tubs by calling (541) 493-2312 or at the office.

Overnight: Lodging includes teepees, a sheepherder’s wagon, themed cabins, suites, a three-bedroom ranch house, the three-bedroom Cowpoke Inn, a fifth-wheel rental, 24 RV sites with 30 or 50 amp hookups, and dry tent sites. Overnight guests can use the pond 24 hours a day. Book on the resort website. A 10 percent non-refundable deposit is taken at booking, and changes need 36 hours’ notice. Lodging check-in is 3 pm to 10 pm (1 pm for campers and RVs), and check-out is 11 am. You must be 18 to rent a room.

House rules:

• No alcohol in or around the pond.
• Children must be with an adult in the pond, and anyone under 16 must be supervised at all times.
• Swim diapers for children who are not toilet trained.
• Quiet hours from 10 pm to 6 am.
• No drones without permission.
• Dogs only in the parking lot, camping areas and pet-friendly units, never at the pond.

The resort does not post a clothing policy for the pond. Treat it as a family swimming area and wear a swimsuit. In a private tub, behind a closed door, it is your choice.

Where to stay nearby

Staying on site makes the most sense, because overnight guests can soak at any hour. If it is full, Burns and neighbouring Hines have the nearest motels, about 25 miles back up OR-78. Farther south, the BLM campgrounds around Frenchglen and Steens Mountain are a long drive but a good base for exploring.

Safety notes

• Deep water: the pond is over head height for many people in the middle. Weak swimmers and children should stay near the edge.
• Hot taps: the private tubs run straight from the spring. Check the water with your hand before you get in.
• Heat and alcohol: drink water, keep soaks reasonable, and leave alcohol for later. It is banned at the pond anyway.
• Remote roads: fuel and phone signal are limited in southeast Oregon. Tell someone your route and carry water.

Nearby stops worth adding

Crane is a natural stop on a loop to Steens Mountain and the Alvord Desert. Alvord Hot Springs sits on the edge of the playa east of the Steens, and on the west side near Frenchglen you can walk to the old Barnes (Frenchglen) Warm Springs, though soaking there is banned because it lies inside Malheur National Wildlife Refuge. Closer to Burns, the Pete French Round Barn and Diamond Craters are good half-day trips.