History
The Bathhouse
The Historic Bathhouse
Originally built in 1929, the historic bathhouse at Summer Lake Hot Springs has gone through many iterations.
From a modest wood structure that served mostly locals looking to either bathe or soothe their ailments, to its current incarnation with multiple changing rooms, two showers and a restroom surrounding the 15’ x 30’ concrete pool (97-99F).
Many improvements have been made by current owner Duane Graham, who built outdoor rock pools on the western side of the bathhouse. The temperature of these pools average 104F and serve as the perfect place to view the dark and starry night sky.
RESERVATIONS REQUIRED. DAY USE NOT ALLOWED.
Area History
Paisley Caves
The mineral springs at Summer Lake have been flowing for thousands of years, traveling up a natural fault to the surface from nearly a mile beneath the earth.
Archeologists from the University of Oregon made international news in 2002 when they discovered human DNA at the nearby Paisley Caves dating to 14,300 years old. This finding is considered to be the second oldest record of humans in North and South America and shows the rich history this area provides.
Summer Lake was a migratory place where hunting, fishing and harvesting of wild grain provided an abundance of resources for all to share. Indigenous people lived amongst camel and mammoths in a lush surrounding that was far different than the desert environment that exists today.
The land was called Medicine Springs by natives and became common ground, an agreed upon place of peace between tribes. The healing waters continue to provide a sense of oneness with the earth and an opening up, healing and letting go, as our ancestors have experienced for thousands of years.
Proprietorship
There have been numerous owners of the land since the early 1900s. In 1958 Jeff and Glenda McDaniel bought the land and made many improvements, such as adding the barns, houses and RV sites.
They ran a small family RV park at the springs for years before their son Ed took over around 1985.
The current owner, Duane Graham, purchased Summer Lake Hot Springs in 1997. His intention then, as it is today, was to create a small eco-friendly resort by building structures with geothermally heated floors, group areas for workshops, massage/healing arts and ultimately a restaurant with locally-grown food.
The Journey of the Water
Traveling from an aquifer nearly one mile below the surface, fresh water is heated by volcanic conditions. Through pressure, the hot water is forced upward along the Slide Mountain fault line.
On its journey, the water absorbs various minerals before it comes out of the ground at 113 degrees F. This water is then channeled to the large soaking pool, various outdoor rock pools and geothermal floor heating. It is high in silica, which lends a silky, soft feeling on your skin.
Mineral Content
Sodium 399 ppm
Potassium 374 ppm
Chloride 285 ppm
Sulfate 111 ppm
Silica 96 ppm
Flouride 2.2 ppm
Calcium 1.0 ppm
Boran 1.0 ppm
Borate 1.0 ppm
Magnesium .4 ppm
Beauty & Silence
Summer Lake is a remarkable and sacred site. Just as our ancestors did, our guests can merge with nature in ways not found many places around the world.
This is a place of extreme beauty and silence, a place where body and mind rediscover a connection and common ground between the Water, Earth and Sky.
RESERVATIONS REQUIRED. DAY USE IS NOT ALLOWED.