Paulina Hot Springs
- Soaking temperature
- 90-115°F
- Soakable
- Yes
- Hike
- 2 mi each way
- Road
- Paved
- Permit
- Not required
the soaking pools run 90 to 115°F at Paulina Hot Springs, a primitive hot spring in Deschutes County, Oregon, managed by USDA Forest Service (Deschutes National Forest / Newberry National Volcanic Monument).
Closures and warnings
USFS: hot springs are undeveloped and shallow; sometimes submerged by lake level. Digging new pools is prohibited in this riparian zone (36 CFR 261.9). Occasional blue-green algae blooms can affect lake swimming. As of September 28, 2026.
Soaking
| Development | Primitive |
|---|---|
| Soaking temperature | 90-115°F |
| Soakable | Yes Use existing shoreline soaking spots only; do not dig. |
| Water type | Spring |
|---|---|
| Entry | Walk in |
Access
| Hike | 2 mi each way |
|---|---|
| Road | Paved |
| Road note | Paulina Lake Road / County Road 21 into Newberry Caldera; seasonal road closure in winter. |
| Parking | Little Crater Campground / lakeshore trailheads; lots fill on summer weekends. |
| When it fills | Arrive early on summer weekends. |
| Fee | Newberry Crater day-use fee about $5 per vehicle or valid recreation pass (confirm at entry) |
| Hours | Day use only at the hot springs beach; sunrise to sunset when the caldera road is open. |
| Reservation or permit | Not required |
| Seasonal closure | Caldera access typically late May through mid-October depending on snow. |
| Managed by | USDA Forest Service (Deschutes National Forest / Newberry National Volcanic Monument) |
| Note | No facilities at the hot springs; developed campgrounds (Paulina Lake, Little Crater) are nearby. |
|---|
Rules
| Camping | Not allowed |
|---|---|
| Fires | Not allowed |
Common questions
Common questions
Is Paulina Hot Springs open?
USFS: hot springs are undeveloped and shallow; sometimes submerged by lake level. Digging new pools is prohibited in this riparian zone (36 CFR 261.9). Occasional blue-green algae blooms can affect lake swimming. As of September 28, 2026. Seasonal closure: Caldera access typically late May through mid-October depending on snow. Hours: Day use only at the hot springs beach; sunrise to sunset when the caldera road is open.
How hot is Paulina Hot Springs?
The soaking pools run 90 to 115°F.
How long is the hike to Paulina Hot Springs?
It's a 2 mi hike each way. The road in is paved. Paulina Lake Road / County Road 21 into Newberry Caldera; seasonal road closure in winter. Parking: Little Crater Campground / lakeshore trailheads; lots fill on summer weekends. Arrive early on summer weekends.
Do you need a reservation for Paulina Hot Springs?
No reservation or permit is required.
Is Paulina Hot Springs free?
The fee is Newberry Crater day-use fee about $5 per vehicle or valid recreation pass (confirm at entry).
What are the rules at Paulina Hot Springs?
Camping is not allowed and fires are not allowed.
Nearby
Sources
4
- https://www.fs.usda.gov/sites/nfs/files/r06/deschutes/publication/Volcanic%20Vistas%202025.pdf (accessed September 28, 2026; backs manager / waterbodyName / hotSpring.development, hazardNote digging ban / camping ban outside developed campgrounds / shallow undeveloped)
- https://www.fs.usda.gov/r06/deschutes/recreation/paulina-lake (accessed September 28, 2026; backs waterbodyName / thermal vents northeast shore)
- https://oregondiscovery.com/paulina-lake-hot-springs (accessed September 28, 2026; backs access.hikeDistanceMi / fee / seasonalClosure / soakingTempF, hotSpring.soakableReason / rules.camping day use only)
- https://hotspringslocator.com/paulina-lake-hot-springs (accessed September 28, 2026; backs access.hours / amenities.note)