Gravel crunches under tires for a few miles off the highway before Alvord Hot Springs comes into view, sitting at the edge of the Alvord Desert with the Steens Mountain range rising to the west. The layout is straightforward: roughly 11 campsites arranged on both sides of the road, most resembling a gravel parking area rather than a developed campground. A short walk from the sites leads to two concrete soaking pools fed directly by the natural spring source, unfiltered and unregulated, one enclosed by a tin windscreen and one open to the sky.
Wind is the defining force here. Gusts can reach 60 mph or more overnight, and campers with trailers are advised to orient the front toward the mountains to reduce the impact. "I thought the trailer was going to tip over during the night," notes Shay F. Tent campers should plan for a windscreen or use their vehicle as a barrier. The desert climate also swings cold at night, even in spring and summer, so layers matter regardless of the season.
Amenities are minimal but functional. There is a single flush toilet near the general store, which stocks basic supplies, ice, and food. Electric hookups are available at select sites, though no water hookups have been reported. Reservations are accepted, and overnight guests receive access to the hot springs as part of the stay, along with a code for driving out onto the playa. Staff at the front office have consistently been described as knowledgeable about local conditions and nearby routes, including the Pikes Creek trail accessible from the area. Pike Creek Primitive Camp at Alvord Hot Springs sits just north for those wanting a more primitive alternative, and Frog Spring in Alvord Desert and Alvord Desert are within a few miles to the south.
The pricing draws frequent comment. At $50 to $110 per night, the cost reflects access to the springs rather than campground infrastructure, and day-use soaking runs $20 to $30 per person without an overnight stay. Cell coverage is marginal on AT&T. The road from Fields is gravel, and the playa access road closes when wet, so checking conditions before arrival is worth the effort. Campers planning a broader desert loop can find places to camp near Frenchglen as a staging point for the region.
Raw, remote, and priced for the experience of the springs themselves, Alvord Hot Springs suits campers who come specifically for the geothermal soak and the open desert views that surround it.
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsAlvord Hot Springs is located in Oregon near Frenchglen
Private CampgroundCoordinates
42.54290272 N
118.5341804 W
Connectivity
T-MobileNo CoverageVerified by 7 usersLast on 6/15/26
VerizonLTESome CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 4/24/26- AT&TLTESome CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 9/8/26
Connectivity
- T-MobileNo CoverageVerified by 7 usersLast on 6/15/26
- VerizonLTESome CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 4/24/26
- AT&TLTESome CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 9/8/26
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
- Hike-InBackcountry sites.
- Boat-InSites accessible by watercraft.
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Group
- Cabins
- Tent Cabin
- Yurts
Features
For Campers
- Market
- ADA Access
- Trash
- Picnic Table
- Firewood Available
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- Electric Hookups
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Pull-Through Sites
- Big Rig Friendly
Drive Time
- 4 hrs 2 min from Boise, ID
- 4 hrs 34 min from Bend, OR
- 4 hrs 59 min from Reno, NV
- 5 hrs 46 min from Twin Falls, ID
