Area Activities
Enjoy the tranquility and healing Summer Lake Hot Springs naturally provides, or tap into the wide variety of other energetic and interesting adventures in the area.
World’s Largest Dark-Sky Sanctuary
Enjoy spectacular stargazing with no light pollution for 50 miles in either direction, Summer Lake’s dark-sky territory provides an amazing opportunity for astronomers. Come out during celestial phenomenon’s, lunar and solar eclipses, meteor showers, full moons, star lineups and the Milky Way as you’ve never seen before. High powered telescopes are always a treat, but a good pair of binoculars are great for experiencing the timeless world of space.
DarkSky International certified a remote, 2.5 million-acre area in the southeastern part of the state. From this rugged swath of high desert landscape dotted with sagebrush, visitors who stay up late can see large numbers of stars, planets and other celestial bodies. Read more about this designation in Smithsonian Magazine. We invite you to join us at Summer Lake Hot Springs to marvel at the breathtaking night skies and immerse yourself in the tranquility of the Oregon Outback.
Road Trips
Chewaucan River
Drive up Government Harvey Pass and hike to pristine mountain lakes, pine forests and amazing panoramas, looking down upon the Summer Lake basin.
From Paisley go south up the Chewaucan River for a summer swim or beautiful hike any time of year.
Look for petroglyphs at Picture Rock Pass.
Explore the sand dunes, Crack-in-the Ground and Fort Rock in the north end of Lake County.
Wildlife Areas in Summer Lake: 22 miles to the north lies Summer Lake Wildlife Refuge, a water way that attracts migrating birds of all types from humming birds to 4-foot tall cranes.
Other areas have occasional antelope and deer to see grazing in fields.
Fishing
The Oregon Outback is home to Ana River and Chewaucan River, which was recently rated the top two of best rivers in the state for fly fishing by Drifthook. In 2009, Oregon's largest hybrid striped bass ever was caught in the Ana River, while Chewaucan is best known as the home for the native Great Basin redband trout. Nearby mountain lakes, such as Withers Lake provide great trout fishing opportunities
Withers Lake
Biking
Both Road Riding (very few cars) and Mountain Biking are abundant yet slightly undiscovered in the Oregon Outback.
A variety of hills and flat areas fit any skill level for the biking enthusiast.
Just a short 6 mile drive into Paisley, park then ride bike up the Chewaucan canyon, perfect road ride up the river.
Fort Rock
Hiking
Walk on the land down to Summer Lake basin, about a 30 minute hike one way. Hike to Winter Rim or rock escarpments with magnificent views of Summer Lake from a birds eye view. The Oregon Desert Trail lies a few miles to the east, and there are numerous trails in the Fremont-Winema Forest.
Sunstone Collecting
Sunstone collecting at the Dust Devil Mining Co., located near Plush, Oregon, 2 hours from Summer Lake. This is the State Stone for Oregon and considered an alternative version of a diamond. Many people make jewelry from the more valuable finds.
Photography
Professionals and families alike come to Summer Lake to capture the living water colored vistas that grace this pristine natural resource. VIEW GALLERY
Cloud Watching
The vast windswept landscape lends itself to laying back and watching the clouds float by.
Healing
The Historic Bathhouse
The healing waters at Summer Lake Hot Springs are high in many minerals especially silica, which leaves your skin feeling silky when in the waters. Today many guests enjoy standing under the 4-inch spout and having the 106 degree water stream on the backs of their neck and shoulders, relaxing everything in about 5 minutes.
The big sky country and open vistas have a way of calming the mind.
Yoga & Meditation
Have you ever done yoga on a geo-thermally heated floor? We think you’ll like it; be sure to bring a mat. It’s quiet out here and a great place to meditate either in your cabin/house or a short walk into nature. Summer Lake is an effortless place to calm your mind and leave the rest behind.
Birdwatching
Enthusiastic birders will want to travel a short 20 miles to the Summer Lake Wildlife Area, Oregon’s first wildlife area (est. 1944). This is a popular destination for hunting, wildlife viewing and environmental education. The abundance of migrating birds throughout each season is spectacular, ranging from seagulls, egrets, and owls to sandhill cranes, pelicans, and great blue herons. MORE INFO
The Art of Zen
Practice the art of doing nothing … just being!