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.
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.
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 Chewaucan River is located 6 miles south in Paisley, rated the 36th best river to fish in the Northwest.
Nearby mountain lakes, such as Withers Lake provide great trout fishing opportunities
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.
Withers Lake
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.
Fort Rock
Healing
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.
The Historic Bathhouse
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.
Stargazing
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.
The Art of Zen
Practice the art of doing nothing … just being!
