Three Forks Hot Springs, more accurately Three Forks Warm Springs, is an undeveloped soaking spot in the Eastern Oregon high desert, about 40 miles south of Jordan Valley. The springs sit near the junction of the Owyhee, North Fork Owyhee, and Middle Fork Owyhee Rivers, which together give the area its name.

Here you can enjoy a natural mineral-water soak with views of a rugged riverside canyon, blue skies, and lush riverbank vegetation.

Note: There is no cell reception and all other services in Jordan Valley, 39 miles away.

Know Before You Go

Reaching the springs is challenging, which also means you’re likely to have the place to yourself. A high-clearance, four-wheel-drive vehicle is required. Most of the drive is on a dirt road, and the final three miles are the roughest, with steep, rocky stretches. During rainy periods, the road can become impassable—even for 4WD.

Stop at the canyon rim and assess road conditions before descending. The road is steep, rocky, and unmaintained. If it appears unsafe, park at the rim and hike the final few miles.

Three Forks Hot Springs Experience

The springs emerge on both sides of the river at about 95°F (35°C) and cool further in the pools. You’ll find several soaking spots on both the east and west banks.

East-bank pools are smaller, while the west-bank pools are larger and include a big upper pool on a rocky formation. Warm water cascades from the upper pool to the lower one, with a flow of about 3,000 liters per minute that keeps the pools naturally clean.

One of the smaller pools has a miniature waterfall flowing down a 45-degree slope, which sometimes is used as a natural water-slide.

Caution: Accessing the west-bank springs requires fording the river, so exercise caution and never attempt it during high water, as it can be extremely dangerous.

There’s plenty to do at Three Forks Hot Springs beyond soaking. Hike along the canyon rim and riverbanks for sweeping views of the Owyhee River, or bring your fishing gear to try for redband trout in the cool desert waters.

Experienced rafters and paddlers can explore stretches of the Owyhee River in spring, while those looking for calmer water can head north to Lake Owyhee for boating and kayaking. Wildlife watching and photography are excellent throughout the canyon.

Beyond Three Forks, the wider Owyhee Canyonlands offer even more to explore: take scenic drives along dramatic canyon cliffs, hike the striking rock formations of Leslie Gulch, or soak at Snively Hot Springs.

Rockhounds can search for agates, jasper, thundereggs, and other treasures at popular sites such as Succor Creek, Graveyard Point, and other public collecting sites throughout the Owyhee Canyon area.

From Highway 95 at Jordan Valley,

- Take Highway 95 West for 16 miles
- At Three Forks and the Soldier Creek Watchable Wildlife Loop sign turn left
- Continue on a dirt road for 27 miles to the junction and then turn right
- After a few miles you will arrive to Owyhee Canyon rim edge, Three Forks Recreation Site will be underneath it
From Three Forks Recreation Site you can either hike to the Three Forks Hot Springs or drive if you have a high clearance 4WD
- From Three Forks Recreation Site Head southeast toward Fenwick Ranch Road
- Turn right at the 1st cross street onto Fenwick Ranch Road and follow it for 0.6 miles
- Slight right onto Fields Creek Reservoir Road and follow it for 0.8 miles
- Turn right onto an unnamed road and proceed to your destination for 1.3 miles.
GPS: N 42°31.891' W 117°10.792' | 42.53152, -117.17987