The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is responsible for 1 in every 10 acres of land in the U.S.
Mickey Hot Springs is a small system of hot springs on the northern end of the Alvord Desert in southeastern Oregon. Some people refer to it as a miniature Yellowstone area. Mickey Hot Springs is one of several BLM sites in the state where you can focus on walking trails, rivers, by-ways, lighthouses, wet lands, waterfalls, and more. The boiling mud, glassy pools, and steamy streams heat to as much as 180 degrees Fahrenheit in the springs, and it is a natural phenomenon that is worth the trip. You can drive right up to this BLM site, park and walk just a few steps to see the bubbling hot springs. It is important to note that the springs get too hot to wade or swim in, and caution should be taken when walking in the area. Mickey Hot Springs was largely unnoticed until 1992, when one of the bubbling spots turned into an eight-foot-high geyser and received national attention as the only naturally occurring geyser in the state. The geothermal system consists of around 60 vents, 11 of which are considered to be dry. Within this system you can find every type of geothermal feature: steam vent, hot spring, mud pot, and geyser. It is now one of the most notable natural features in southeastern Oregon, and its location nestled on the north end of the desert with the Steens Mountains to the west makes it a great place to visit.
There are hiking and biking trails in the Alvord Desert and Steens Mountain, but there is only one small hiking trail in Mickey Hot Springs.
Located in the parking lot of Mickey Hot Springs, this trail is short and very low intensity, but depending on the time of year, it can be very dangerous. This trail gives you a great view of the mountains and deserts, but in the spring time, hot water can fill the cracks in the ground, and when mud is formed by the rains, the trail can become difficult to pass. Length: 0.2 miles Intensity: Easy
Wildhorse Lake Trail is located at Steens Mountain. It is a longer and more challenging route than Mickey Butte, but it is a few miles away from Mickey Hot Springs. Over the course of this 2.5-mile hike, you have over 1,000 feet in elevation gain with some really good sightseeing opportunities. Length: 2.5 miles Intensity: Moderate to high
There are numerous rivers and lakes close to Mickey Hot Springs, many of which include Bureau of Land Management campgrounds where you can park your RV or pitch a tent. Donner ünd Blitzen River along with Wildhorse Lake is one of the most well-known.
Nothing notable in terms of wildlife viewing can survive in the heat of Mickey Hot Springs, but unique Thermophilic microbes form distinct colonies that are not found in many other places in the world. In the nearby Alvord Desert and Steens Mountain Wilderness, however, there are many unique species of birds and wild animals. Coyotes, bighorn sheep, pronghorn, deer, and Rocky Mountain elk can all be found near Steens Mountain, and mule deer, pronghorn, coyotes, American badgers, and black-tailed jackrabbits can be found in the desert.
The primary thing to do when visiting Mickey Hot Springs is to see the gurgling mud pots, hear the hissing of the steam, and watch the 180-degree water flow through the streams. Mickey Hot Springs is basically a miniature Yellowstone with geysers and geothermal vents. There are times when most everything is kind of dried up and the vents seem empty, but if you go at the right time when there has been good rain, the sites at Mickey Hot Springs are almost unbelievable.
While there are no RV sites within Mickey Hot Springs, there are plenty of RV camping sites nearby. One BLM site nearby with RV camping is South Steens Campground near Steens Mountain. There are 36 RV sites, and while there are not hookups at the RV park, there are grills, picnic tables, vault toilets, and drinking water. Alvord Hot Springs Bath House and Campgrounds is another nearby RV site with hot springs that allow you to soak in them. Again, there are no hookups, but there are picnic tables, grills, restrooms, drinkable water, and more. The Alvord Desert and Steens Mountain Wilderness offer multiple RV camp sites within driving distance of Mickey Hot Springs.
In the Alvord Desert, there are plenty of places that offer primitive camping options, and that also holds true for Steens Mountain. Most of primitive camping in the area needs to be reserved to ensure a spot, and many campgrounds have a two-to-five-day max in terms of how long you can stay there. Because of the rugged nature of the terrain to the west and the desert to the south, Bureau of Land Management free camping is one of your best and most available options. Depending on where you are spending the majority of your trip, simply search "BLM camping near me" to find the best option.
Mickey Hot Springs is a unique marvel of nature, and as such it is important to take good care of this BLM site. BLM requires visitors to cleanup after themselves, following the "Leave No Trace" guidelines, no matter what type of trash is used. There are no restaurants or campsites in Mickey Hot Springs, but if you bring a picnic, eat a snack on the trail, or need to dispose of anything, do so respectfully.
Mickey Hot Springs can be difficult to find since it is in a remote location. Directions are listed below from Hines, Oregon, but it is important to note that cell phone reception can be spotty, and there are very few gas stations in the vicinity, so you should plan accordingly. BLM Office Address: 28910 Hwy 20 West, Hines, OR 97738 Take State Highway 78 southeast for approximately 33 miles. Turn right onto the East Steens Road, and travel south for about 21 miles to Mickey Hot Springs access road. Turn left onto the Mickey Hot Springs access road, and follow the signs to the parking area. Ready to visit Mickey Hot Springs? An RV rental is a great way to experience your destination. Not only will you be close to all the action, but at the end of a long day exploring, you’ll have your RV to return to for the night where you’ll enjoy a full kitchen, bathroom, and nice soft bed. Not sure about renting an RV? Here’s a step-by-step guide to renting an RV with RVshare.
