Free dispersed camping on BLM land, Willow Creek - Willow Creek Hot Springs sits 25 miles down a graded gravel road accessible to most vehicles. The route passes through Whitehorse Ranch, with campers reporting speeds of 10-40 mph depending on road conditions. Two distinct camping areas accommodate visitors: sites near the vault toilet at road's end, and additional spots scattered along the access road within walking distance of the hot springs.

The campground centers around two natural pools separated by a handmade divider, with one running warmer than the other. Reviewers consistently note the sandy bottom and relatively clear water without strong sulfur odors. A small creek runs through the area, providing nighttime sounds of flowing water and attracting wildlife including antelope, coyotes, and various bird species. Sites lack designated boundaries, with previous campers having established fire rings and a few picnic tables scattered throughout.

[Kevin C.](https://thedyrt.com/camping/oregon/willow-creek-whitehorse-hot-springs/reviews/175360) notes "Star gazing here is incredible" due to the location's distance from light pollution. The single vault toilet requires visitors to bring their own toilet paper, and no water sources exist on-site. Campers must pack out all trash and bring adequate supplies, as the nearest store sits in Fields approximately 40 miles away.

The remote location attracts both day visitors and overnight campers, with weekends typically seeing higher use. For additional options in the region, explore [camping near BLM Land — Vale Malheur Field Office](https://thedyrt.com/camping/oregon/near/blm-land-vale-malheur-field-office).

Willow Creek - Willow Creek Hot Springs

The Dyrt is here to help plan your best camping near Denio. Denio is an adventure-filled destination for those who love the outdoorsy camper lifestyle. But it's also great for those who prefer to spend time near the city, exploring and sightseeing. Ready to plan your adventure? Check out our campgrounds near Denio and user-submitted reviews.

Denio

The Best Camping Near Denio, Nevada

This is a great out of the way CG with a fantastic hot springs close by. Definitely off the beaten path. Have a decent map. The CG has a vault toilet but no water. Sights could be tight or dispersed depending on how many cars are there. There are two areas to set up camp. There is the area at the end of the road with the toilet. This is near the hot springs and can support four or five cars. The other spots are located on the road leading into the campsite / hot springs, there are five or six sites close enough to walk to the springs.  These areas are mostly located on the west side of the road. There are fire rings previous campers have built but no dedicated ones. There are also two picnic tables. 

  

This is a good place to go to chill out and unplug. Make sure you bring everything you need with you, the fields store is a bit of a drive. The hot springs are well kept. They have a sandy bottom, relatively clear and not a strong sulphur smell. There is a hotter pool and a cooler pool. The divider is handmade. People take good care of the place. Make sure you pack out all your trash. This is a great place to soak, have a beer, and relax under the stars.

No Frills Campground 

We camped here in mid-September 2014. You can approach this BLM campground from either the Fields-Denio Road or from highway 95. Either way, you will be traveling on a graded gravel road for some distance through the immense Whitehorse Ranch. 

There were no site numbers so you just pick a spot. We camped further away from the hot springs in case partiers decided to join us. 
Thankfully, no one did and we enjoyed the quiet and the amazing sunset and night skies. 

There was one small vault toilet which was clean but no tp so that is why we bring our own. 

There were two hot springs pools which were the perfect temperature. 

Quiet dispersed camping by a hot springs 

We loved camping here! It was hot during the day and there is no shade. Once the sun started to go down though, it was the perfect time to go into the pools. There are two pools: a warm pool and a hot pool. They’re separated by a man-made divider. The warm pool was the perfect temp. 

The hot spring/camp site is about 20 miles down a dirt road, coming from highway 95. The road was well maintained and passable in our small AWD SUV. There were 2WD sedans at the camp too.

• Pit toilet (bring your own TP)
• No running water - bring your own
• No trash collection - pack it out
• A few sites have picnic tables but not all
• Site are first come, first served
• I had cell service on Verizon. No AT&amp;T service. I recommend downloading offline maps before getting off the Highway. 
• The site was popular for being as remote as it is. So expect having neighbors and chatty folks in the hot spring. 
• Bring your own shade!

Wonderful hot spring down a dirt road

I absolutely loved staying a few nights at this campground. The road in was about 25 miles of dirt, but it was super worth it to be able to swim in the hot springs and get to be around all the cows and dragonflies. Make sure you fill up on gas bc the nearest gas station is in Fields about 40 miles from the camp spots. We would have stayed longer but we were running out of supplies. Highly recommend. Beautiful piece of nature.

Most beautiful place I've ever been

It’s about 25 miles of dirt road either way you come in. It’s a nice little spot though. 1 vault toilet which was pretty gross. No water. So just be prepared before going out there. The water was clean and we were the only ones out there. 

Worth the drive 

The road here, yes, it’s 25 miles of gravel. The first 3 miles were great! We drove top speed of 55, then for the next 22 miles our top speed was 10mph. With having a camper truck the washboard road was more than it could handle. 

We stayed in the spot next to the last spot in the camp, right next to a stream. At night we heard animals walking through it, it was beautiful. The most beautiful sunset also. 

We took 2 dips in the pools. One during the day light and one after dark when the air cooled off. 

The bathroom was very clean and no TP. We left a roll there and noticed someone else did too. So bring TP because there might not be any. No water resources so pack enough for your stay. We only stayed one night then headed off to Heart Mountain. 

It was so beautiful and peaceful here, we would definitely stay again. Not a lot of campers as we stayed on a Tuesday night. 

Quiet & Out of The Way

I love this place, but be warned. It usually has people bathing in the hot springs nude. Some older people treat this location as a nudist colony. Luckily I don't mind and my kids are all adults and don't do adventures with me anymore. If you have kids, tread carefully. Usually there are many locals here and I never get the chance to jump in the hot springs since many monopolies the spring. I do like this area for 4X4 excursions, and off trail hiking. Sometimes Coyotes can be heard howling in the early morning hours of around 4:00 AM. Lots of birds for bird watchers, and a nice little creek. Stargazing is a must and very beautiful. The road is gravel and I suggest a truck or a 4X4 vehicle. It is not a must, but it makes it easier. I would have given this area five stars, but having no real access to the hot spring is a bummer so I give it three stars. Anywhere in Oregon's outback is a good day.

OUTBACK OF OREGON

First, do not use Apple Maps to get here.   It will take you a turnoff two miles away and leave you wondering what to do next.   Google maps will take you right to the vault toilet.  

Second, if you’re looking for a HOT spring, this one might disappoint.   It’s warm for sure but not hot at all. 

Contrary to a previous poster, I saw no nudists here.   Also disappointing but in this area, maybe I should count myself lucky.    

The bathroom had no toilet paper.  We left a roll, but it seems this is a continual problem.   

That’s all the negatives.   

Star gazing here is incredible.   You’re 150 miles from any real metro (McDermit doesn’t count).   

Nice deep fire rings that are safe with nice grill racks on them.   Some sites can get muddy after a rain or melt off and one or two were actually under water when we were there.   

We had a blast here though.   Lots of walking around room.  I would imagine this place gets packed on a weekend or holiday.  We had the place to ourselves in a Tuesday night with the exception of an older gentleman in a bus who was very friendly.  

Any vehicle can make it in here.  It’s 25 miles of dirt road but it’s well maintained and 40mph is perfectly doable until you get to the turnoff to the site.  The one mile stretch getting in there from the main road isn’t as well kept but you could still do it in a corolla.  

We were also lucky enough to see a herd of antelope on the way in.  Photos attached.  


Wonderful Place to Relax

I think a lot of people go there for the hot springs, only a few stayed and camped.  It was tidy, be sure to bring your own toilet paper just in case.  Quiet and beautiful!



Great views

Loved the sound of the creek by the camp, hot springs wasn’t to hot, no shade so come prepared in the summer 

Photos of Willow Creek - Willow Creek Hot Springs

Real photos from real campers