• Beulah Hot Springs emerges from the ground at the northeast edge of the Beulah Reservoir
Beulah is a natural hot spring situated northeast of the Beulah Reservoir in the small triangular Agency Valley, north of the town of Juntura. The reservoir is also known as the Agency Valley Reservoir. It receives drainage mostly from the North Fork of the Malheur River and covers 1,900 acres of the valley. No hydroelectric power is generated on the Beulah Reservoir.
The source water exceeds 135 degrees Fahrenheit. The eye-catching yellow and green colors within the pool are formed by thermophilic bacteria, including cyanobacteria Synechococcus. The main requirement for growing this type of bacteria is a temperature between 130°F (54°C) and 165°F (74°C), a slightly alkaline environment, and a pH between 7.2 and 8.7.
Hot water is very slowly piped into an old and rusty bathtub. In September, the water temperature in the bathtub was 120°F (54°C). So, before soaking, check it and, if needed, redirect the hot water from the tub and let it get cooler.
Caution: Do not bathe directly in the source or nearby!
Beulah Hot Springs with a great view of the valley and plentiful hot water flow has great potential. If some improvement, including the bathtub and hose pipes replacement, is done, this spot would become a popular soaking destination.
New Update (5 years later)
Beulah Hot Springs once had a soaking tub, but it has since disappeared, making bathing no longer possible.
Beyond Hot Springs: Other Adventures
The reservoir is a prime spot for fishing, with healthy populations of rainbow trout, whitefish, and bull trout. Anglers can fish from the shore, boat, or even float tube, enjoying the peaceful setting surrounded by rolling sagebrush hills. Boating is also popular, with a boat ramp providing easy water access. However, water levels can fluctuate, so checking conditions beforehand is recommended.
Beulah Reservoir - A Remote Oasis for Anglers and Adventurers
Beyond fishing, Beulah Reservoir offers opportunities for camping, exploring the rugged landscape, and rockhounding. White chalky outcrops along the shoreline provide opportunities to find well-preserved Miocene-era leaf fossils dating back millions of years.
Beulah Reservoir Fossil Sites: A Window into the Miocene Era
Since, Beulah Hot Springs is not maintained enough for soaking, Juntura Hot Springs, located on an island in the Malheur River just 20 miles away, is a good option.
Visitors can also explore remote backroads and public lands for hiking, rockhounding, or simply taking in Oregon's high desert's vast, open scenery.
Beulah Reservoir Camping, Lodging, and Vacation Rentals
Camping is not allowed at the hot springs. There are a campground, concrete boat ramp, and vault restroom near the dam.
A campground and facility for launching and mooring boats is located at the dam. Along the shoreline, managed by the BLM, free dispersed camping is allowed.
For a more developed camping option, the BLM maintains a campground at Chukar Park Recreation Site, situated nine miles south of the reservoir. This site includes RV spaces, drinking water, picnic areas, and restrooms.
For those looking for lodging, the nearest accommodations can be found in the Burns-Hines area, 77 miles to the west, or in Ontario, approximately 90 miles east of the reservoir.
Affordable vacation rentals for short- and long-term stays in Hines
Affordable vacation rentals for short- and long-term stays in Ontario
Video
Beulah Hot Springs | Facts
Location: 17.5 miles north of Juntura • Southeastern Oregon • USA
Open: Year-round
Development: Primitive
Amenities: None
Hiking distance: Short
Road Access: High-clearance vehicles when the ground is wet
Day-use: Free
Elevation: 3,600 ft (1,097 m)
Water T°: 130°F (54°C) - 140°F (60°C)
Flow rate: 13 gallon/min (50 l/min)
More Adventures
Directions to Beulah Hot Springs
From the western end of Juntura,
- Turn north onto Beulah Road
- Drive 17.4 miles to the destination on the left.
During wet weather, a high-clearance vehicle is recommended.
"Geothermal Information Layer for Oregon". www.oregongeology.org