Alvord Hot Springs

Alvord is the classic southeast Oregon desert soak: two concrete pools dating to the 1940s, decked and partly sheltered, set where the east wall of Steens Mountain drops to the cracked white floor of the Alvord Desert. Water leaves the ground near 170°F and is mixed down in the pools, where wooden plugs let you control the inflow and the heat. The springs sit on private ranch land, and the owners rent campsites and bunkhouses that sleep up to four.

Soaking is included when you stay, and overnight guests can use the pools at any hour, which is the best way to catch the stars over the playa. Day visitors are welcome during business hours but should call ahead; the official site does not list a day-use rate. Soak Oregon lists the pools as clothing optional, so expect some nude soakers.

From Fields, drive about 23 miles north on East Steens Road, the first 12 paved; from Highway 78 it is roughly 41 miles south, mostly gravel. Burns is the nearest full-service town for fuel and groceries. The honest downside: the two pools are small, so on busy weekends you may wait your turn, and summer heat and playa dust can make midday soaking rough.