Hunters Hot Springs & Old Perpetual Geyser | Eastern Oregon

Lake County of South-Central Oregon offers plenty of places to see and a wide range of activities. An excellent place to visit is Geyser or Hunters Hot Springs near the small town of Lakeview. This place is well-known for its breathtaking beauty and man-made "Old Perpetual Geyser" that erupted every 1-2 minutes, depending on the seasonal water table level.

Visitors will have a great soaking experience in the hot mineral water and seeing the Old Perpetual Geyser that is just behind the lodge.

Hunters Hot Springs Resort was built around the hot springs which were discovered in 1832 by trappers from the Hudson's Bay Company. They realized that the water of the springs was extremely hot.

However, this place did not get any attention until 1919 when Harry Hunter from Minneapolis visited the site. He had a vision for this land and four years later after his first visit, he purchased the 40-acre parcel that also included the hot springs. The Hunter's goal was to build a health resort where people from all over the country would come to relax in the mineral water while enjoying the nature of the land.

The development started in 1923. During the development phase, Hunter wasn't satisfied with the amount of hot water produced naturally. He drilled three more wells. One of those wells, eventually, became the "Old Perpetual Geyser" - the popular touristic attraction, which is one of the must-see destinations in South-Central Oregon.

The resort construction was finalized in 1925, and soon important additions such as a medical clinic and restaurant were built. In 1943 Hunters Hot Springs changed the owner and he decided to remodel the place. A cocktail lounge, motel, and racquetball court were added to complete the resort experience.

Additional remodeling occurred in 2000. A swimming-size mineral pool was added to the facilities. The soaking pool is enveloped by the building and walls, giving bathers protection from cold winds and some privacy. The open-sky view allows observing the sky from the pool while soaking in the hot water. The view of the night sky is simply breathtaking.

After some ownership changes, Hunter Hot Springs Resort is still the ideal place to stay for relaxing in the mineral-rich water while exploring beautiful Lake County.

Location: 2.5 miles north of Lakeview • Southeastern Oregon • USA
Open: Year-round
Development: Motel, big swimming pool
Clothing: Required
Amenities: Lounge, barbecue grill
Accommodations: Motel, RV park, campground
Hiking distance: Short
Road Access: Any vehicle
Day-use: Yes

Elevation: 4,802 ft (1,463 m)

Water T° (source): 185°F (85°C) - 210°F (99°C)
Water T° (pool): 104°F (40°C) - 107°F (42°C)
Water acidity level: Alkaline (pH=8.2-8.3)
Type of the springs: Sodium Chloride Sulfate
Chemical used: None