• Snively Hot Springs is located on the bank of the Owyhee River
• Features a primitive pool lined with the river rocks
If you are on the lookout for an excellent location to enjoy a hot soak, then Snively Hot Springs should definitely be considered. Located around the upper part of the Owyhee River Canyon, this spot offers the stunning vista of the Owyhee River that flows through the colorful geological formations of the picturesque canyon.
The hot water up to 150 degrees Fahrenheit comes out of the ground near the Owyhee Lake Road approximately 300 feet from the riverside. It flows via a ditch to a manually built pool, lined with river rocks and boulders, sited right in the river. The water within the pool is shallow, between two to three feet deep.
The hot water coming from the ditch mixes in with the cold river water. Some places of the pool might be very cold or extremely hot.
The pool temperatures may vary depending on the distance from the river or the source of the springs. You can find the perfect soaking location by moving towards or away from the hot springs source.
Consistently stirring the water with your hand, can help to maintain an even temperature and prevent the hot water from floating to the top.
The hot spring area is open year-round but during spring runoff or when the dam releases water, the pool can be submerged with the river.
So, the best seasons to enjoy soaking are summer and fall.
The springs are situated on BLM land 12 miles below the Owyhee Dam and come with a big parking area, pit toilet, and picnic table.
The Snively Hot Springs recreation area gets overused and littered. To keep the place clean and safe, BLM allows day-use only, camping and fires are not allowed and glass containers are prohibited within 30 feet of the hot springs.
Please, pack all your trash and leave no trace behind!
Caution. Watch out for poison oak along the river bank and around the parking area.
Beyond Hot Springs: Other Adventures
The Owyhee River Canyon is a breathtaking expanse of high desert, offering a set of outdoor adventures including hiking, kayaking, rafting, fishing, hunting, horseback riding, rockhounding, and wildlife watching.
Driving through the labyrinth of the majestic canyon is a wonderful experience in itself. For rock collectors, Graveyard Point and Succor Creek areas present fantastic opportunities to discover unique specimens amidst the rugged terrain.
For adventurers seeking to immerse themselves further in the natural wonders of the Owyhee Canyonlands, there are options for hikes ranging from easy to moderate or challenging. Whether it's a leisurely stroll or an adrenaline-pumping trek, the remote landscapes await exploration. Additionally, camping along the shores of the Owyhee Reservoir or taking a boat out onto its serene waters offers a chance to connect with nature in its purest form.
The river below the dam offers rafting and fishing for brown and rainbow trout.
Camping & Lodging
Camping and fire are prohibited within 30 feet of the hot springs. However, camping is allowed any place on BLM land.
Budget-friendly accommodations are available in Otrario, 31 miles northeast or in Nampa, 47 miles southwest.
Affordable vacation rentals for short and long term stay at Nampa, Idaho
Snively Hot Springs | Facts
Location: 31 miles southwest of Ontario • Eastern Oregon • USA
Open: Year-round from dawn to dusk
Development: Undeveloped
Clothing: Optional
Amenities: Pit toilet & picnic table
Restrictions: No camping, no fires, no shooting, no glass containers allowed within 30 feet of the pool
Hiking distance: Short
Road Access: Any vehicle
Day-use: Free
Managed by: Bureau Land of Management (BLM)
Elevation: 2,400 ft (732 m)
Water T° (source): 134°F (57°C) - 150°F (66°C)
Water T° (pool): 90°F (32°C) - 120°F (49°C)
Water acidity level: Alkaline (pH=9.2)
Springs Type: Sodium and Calcium Chloride Sulfate
Chemical used: None
| Cations Sodium (Na) - 93 Mg/L Calcium (Ca) - 2.7 Mg/L Potassium (K) - 1.1 Mg/L |
Anions Sulfate (SO4) - 91.7 Mg/L Silica (SiO2) - 70.2 Mg/L Chloride (Cl) - 19.5 Mg/L Fluoride (F) - 15 Mg/L |
Video
More Adventures
Directions to Snively Hot Springs
From Ontario,
- Drive toward E Idaho Ave
- Take I-84 East and drive 4 miles toward Boise
- Take exit 3 for US-95, turn right onto US-95 South, and continue 7.2 miles to US-20/US-26
- Turn right and continue 2.4 miles to OR-201 South
- Turn left onto toward Lake Owyhee and continue for about 8 miles to Owyhee Avenue
- Turn right onto Owyhee Avenue and drive 4 miles to Owyhee Lake Road
- Turn left and continue on Owyhee Lake Road for 6.5 miles to the parking area on the left.
There used to be a swimming pool at the site where the grove of trees are. There are rattlesnakes and ticks in the area.
There are rattlesnakes in the area.
Ticks are also something to be considered.
A little bit of a history lesson…for you.
There used to a swimming pool located where the large trees grow. The Owyhee Dam up stream is built over an extinct volcano. The site was called hole in the ground.
There is a fault line through the canyon.
The large pipes you see along the road to Snively hot springs are irrigation pipes connected to canals and tunnels from the Owyhee Dam.