Paulina Lake Hot Springs
By the HotSpringsFind editorial team · How we compile records · Reviewed September 2026
Paulina Lake Hot Springs is a primitive hot spring listed near La Pine, Oregon. Reported soak temperature: 100°F. See the visit fact sheet.
Stop on Oregon Cascades Hot Springs — see all stops, ordered south to north.
Current status
Primitive lakeshore soaking spots on Paulina Lake inside Newberry Caldera (Deschutes NF) — thermal water (90-115°F) seeps through the beach gravel; soak in EXISTING pools only (USFS prohibits digging new ones), reached by a ~1.5-mi shoreline hike from Little Crater Campground, and only late May-mid-October before snow closes the caldera road and high lake levels submerge the pools.
Checked June 2026 · verified against an official source · 4 sources ↓
Staying overnight?
A US-97 base south of Bend for Paulina Lake.
La Pine is about 14 mi from the spring (straight line).
We may earn a commission from bookings through these links, at no extra cost to you.
Before you go
- Status: Open — last verified below — confirm via USFS/Discover Your Forest — Newberry National Volcanic Monument official visitor guide (2022): 'Hot springs at the lakes are undeveloped and shallow. Please, do not dig around the hot springs… regulations prohibiting digging, fires, or camping outside of developed campgrounds in the Caldera'; algae-bloom warnings posted.
- Cost: Reported $5/vehicle — confirm current rates before visiting.
- Getting there: No verified hike distance on record — confirm the route and road conditions.
- Water: Reported soak temperature 100°F — always test the water before entering.
- Rules: Reported clothing required; reported dog-friendly.
- Conditions: check weather, fire closures, and land-manager alerts the week you go — mountain access changes seasonally.
- Reservations/permits: Northwest Forest Pass ($30/yr) or $5/vehicle day pass for the trailhead/campground area.
- Best time to go: Late May-July when receding lake level exposes the beach and roads are open; weekday mornings. September can be fine but pools may be submerged.
- Clothing reality: Swimsuits customary — soakers here are typically clothed per regulars; no official policy but it's a busy monument shoreline in summer.
- Kids: Allowed.
- Cell service: none — download maps and tell someone your plan.
- Accessibility: Not accessible — ~1.5 mi sandy/rocky shoreline hike at 6,340 ft elevation.
- DIGGING NEW POOLS IS PROHIBITED — USFS protects this sensitive riparian zone; use only existing soaking spots (many older guides wrongly tell you to dig — outdated advice)
- Pools depend on lake level — often submerged entirely when Paulina Lake is high (late summer/fall/winter); recent visitors have found only 2 usable pools vs the '5' often advertised
- Access road into Newberry Caldera (FS-21/Paulina-East Lake Rd) closes with snow — site effectively open ~late May through mid-October
- $5/vehicle day-use fee or Northwest Forest Pass required at trailhead/campgrounds
- ~1.4-1.5 mi hike along the north shore from the day-use lot at north end of Little Crater Campground (counterclockwise); boat/kayak access also possible
- No camping or fires at the springs or anywhere in the caldera outside developed campgrounds — Little Crater CG is at the trailhead
- Temps vary 90-115°F right at the vents — test before sitting; mix with lake water
- No facilities at the beach; occasional blue-green algae bloom warnings on the lakes — check posted signs
- Hazard: Hot vents up to ~115°F+ directly under the beach sand — burns possible
- Hazard: Pools seasonally submerged — trip can yield zero soakable pools
- Hazard: Seasonal road closure by snow; caldera elevation ~6,300 ft brings early storms
- Hazard: Cold-water exposure on the lake shore; occasional toxic algae blooms posted on the lakes
About this spring
Primitive visitor-dug soaking pools along the gravel 'Hot Springs Beach' on the north shore of Paulina Lake inside the Newberry Caldera — geothermal vents rise through the lakebed; soak in existing beach depressions by mixing hot seep water with cold lake water — USFS requires using existing pools only; digging new pools is no longer allowed. Seasonal access (road open ~late May-mid Oct). Fee: $5/vehicle Newberry Crater day-use fee (NW Forest Pass accepted). Temps inconsistent — test carefully. Mosquitoes heavy. Road snow-closed in winter.
Paulina Lake's hot springs are primitive soaking spots along the gravel 'Hot Springs Beach' on the lake's north shore inside Newberry Caldera — geothermal water seeps up through the lakebed itself. Soaking means settling into existing beach depressions where hot seep water mixes with cold lake water; reported temperatures vary widely, so test constantly. The beach is reached by a roughly 1.5–2.3 mile shoreline hike from the Little Crater Campground area, and the caldera road is seasonal — roughly late May to mid-October.
Two things older guides get wrong: the USFS now prohibits digging new pools — use existing spots only — and pool availability depends on lake level, so a high-water spring can submerge the beach entirely. A $5 Newberry Crater day-use fee applies (NW Forest Pass accepted), mosquitoes are famously heavy, and the road is snow-closed in winter.
Directions & trailhead access
From Bend: ~23 mi south on US-97 to Paulina-East Lake Rd, ~14 mi east into Newberry Caldera to Little Crater Campground; hike ~2.3 mi along the east shore to Hot Springs Beach.
Oregon geothermal context
Oregon splits cleanly in two: Cascade volcanic springs like the Umpqua corridor pools west of the crest, and high-desert basin springs like the Alvord area east of it. Western sites sit in dense wet forest prone to fire closures and winter road washouts; eastern ones are remote sagebrush tubs under enormous skies. Both ends reward checking land-manager alerts before driving out.
What a primitive site means here
Primitive springs have no facilities: no changing rooms, no trash service, often no maintained road to the pool. Expect natural rock or gravel bottoms, water temperature that varies by spot and season, and other visitors who may treat the site informally. Pack out everything you bring, test the water before entering, and leave the pool cleaner than you found it.
Best time to visit
May – October (Spring through Fall)Pacific Northwest springs are framed by lush temperate rainforests. Summer brings dry, sunny trail conditions, while autumn provides vibrant foliage and crisp soaking weather.
Fact sheet
| Reported soak temp | 100°F |
|---|---|
| Source temp (historical) | Not reported |
| Trail access | Recorded coordinates — access unverified |
| Access fee | Reported $5/vehicle — verify |
| Clothing policy | Reported clothing required |
| Pet policy | Reported dog-friendly |
| Geothermal data reference | NOAA Thermal Springs List (1980 archive) |
| Check land status | USFS/Discover Your Forest — Newberry National Volcanic Monument official visitor guide (2022): 'Hot springs at the lakes are undeveloped and shallow. Please, do not dig around the hot springs… regulations prohibiting digging, fires, or camping outside of developed campgrounds in the Caldera'; algae-bloom warnings posted |
Paulina Lake Hot Springs FAQ
Is Paulina Lake Hot Springs open right now?
Primitive lakeshore soaking spots on Paulina Lake inside Newberry Caldera (Deschutes NF) — thermal water (90-115°F) seeps through the beach gravel; soak in EXISTING pools only (USFS prohibits digging new ones), reached by a ~1.5-mi shoreline hike from Little Crater Campground, and only late May-mid-October before snow closes the caldera road and high lake levels submerge the pools. (Status verified against an official source, last checked June 2026.)
Is Paulina Lake Hot Springs free?
Paulina Lake Hot Springs is listed with reported fees near La Pine. Fees are reported; confirm admission, parking and permit costs with the site manager.
What temperature is Paulina Lake Hot Springs?
Paulina Lake Hot Springs has a reported soak temperature of 100°F. Historical data may not reflect current conditions — always test water before entering.
Is Paulina Lake Hot Springs clothing optional?
Paulina Lake Hot Springs is listed as swimsuit-required in directory records. Confirm current rules before visiting, as policies change.
How do you access Paulina Lake Hot Springs?
Paulina Lake Hot Springs is on public land — verify current road access, fees and rules with the land manager before visiting.
Where to stay in La Pine
A US-97 base south of Bend for Paulina Lake. Check the seasonal caldera road and lakeshore trail before reserving.
La Pine is about 14 mi from the spring (straight line).
We may earn a commission from bookings through these links, at no extra cost to you.
Sources & references
- USFS/Discover Your Forest — Newberry National Volcanic Monument official visitor guide (2022): 'Hot springs at the lakes are undeveloped and shallow. Please, do not dig around the hot springs… regulations prohibiting digging, fires, or camping outside of developed campgrounds in the Caldera'; algae-bloom warnings posted — official · 2022
- Soak Oregon — Paulina Lake Hot Springs: status 'Open (seasonal access)', 1.2-mi or 7.5-mi trail or boat, pools fully submerged when lake high in late summer/fall/winter, NW Forest Pass or day fee, USFS Deschutes NF — community · 2026
- Go Wander Wild — trip report: digging now forbidden per NF rules; found only 2 pools on recent visit; ~1.4-mi hike; April-October window — community · 2025
- Oregon Discovery — Paulina Lake Hot Springs: USFS calls it a sensitive riparian area; use existing soaking spots only; swimsuits advised — community · 2025
Details above were verified against the named sources on their listed dates — conditions change, so recheck before traveling. · How we verify our data · Report a correction
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