http://cranehotsprings.com/
59315 Hwy 78
Burns, Oregon 97720
We try our best to get out here at least twice a year. It's a magical place and has affordable dog friendly cabins right on the hot spring pond ($52-$67 a night with $7.00 dog fee). There is also a large teepee with an optional private tub for $55 a night! Back to the watering hole, it's a hot spring the size of a pond, it's open 24 hours, and you can sneak out any time during the night and float around on your back, getting lost in the infinate stars. It's the closest thing to an out of body experience I think I'll ever have. You truly feel like you are weightless and drifting through the universe. The spring is not quite as hot as some may like it, but you can sit close to the outpour, where it is up there as hot as the rest. Otherwise it is usually somewhere in the department of 98-104 degrees. If there are too many people in the pond, and you want some privacy, you can rent one of the private soaking tub rooms, complete with candles and towels for $7.50/hour for adults, and $4.00/hour for children 6 and under.
There is a small shared kitchen on the property, with a dinette, microwave, stove, and shared fridge. There is also a lovely air conditioned and heated commons room with a large fireplace, books, board games, and fresh coffee every day.
You will most likely run in to traveling retirees here, as this is a hot spot for rv'ers on the road. Other then that it seems like a well hidden secret, and a good spot to decompress. There is free wifi for guests, but no televisions or radios in the cabins, feel free to leave your gadgets at home, but bring the gazateer because this is definitely not on a well traveled road!
Your closest "other" amenities are in the town of Burns, OR. There is a Safeway, a friendly family owned mexican restaurant, and our favorite, "The Broadway Deli". This place has it all, and the sweet and friendly owner/chef/barista is lovely to chat with, and makes the best home made ALL OF THE ABOVE. Plus she caters to vegaterians, etc. You name it, she'll make it. Which is often hard to find in small towns! She also owns the women's clothing consignment shop that's connected to the bakery which is fun to poke around while she's whipping up your grub.
Depending on where you are coming from, the road trip to Crystal Crane can be a beaut. There are several small ghost towns, eateries, breweries, and geographical wonders to visit throughout central and eastern Oregon. On this particular trip, we took Interstate 84 eastbound from Portland to Pendleton to visit the woolen mills. Then stayed a night at Emmigrant Springs State Heritage Area, just west of Pendleton, where you can get a dog friendly cabin for $47. Equipped with space heater, a bunk bed, twin bed, outdoor grill, covered front porch, covered grill, and short lighted walk to the well kept bathrooms/showers. I really liked this place, even with it being so close to the freeway, it was plenty quiet at night! I have a feeling it is busier when they have large group reservations, as there is a community hall, and group camp areas. I picture hundreds of girl scouts, or kids making out in church camp.
We then continued westbound 84 and up 82 towards the towns of Joseph and Enterprise Oregon. I've always wanted to go to Josepth because I've heard they have beautiful turqoise! Plus you get to visit Wallowa Lake which is just too pretty to even describe! From there we drove up the long winding road to Hells Canyon. If you make it to Joseph, go to Hells Canyon, bring your emergency kit, this would be a bummer of a place to break down without your supplies! We meandered our way back down to Burns with a few detours, sevaral wind and lightning storms, and a few stops at broken down houses, and the now and then thrift shop in a constant search for bones!
Yukon and his friend, the pygmy horned toad, grumpy faces.
Fatty Magoo, he's so handsome! Didn't find any bones off the side of the road, but this was even better!
Lighting on HWY 78, about a mile from the springs
My most favoritest place!
That's my head in the water, just southeast of the sun!
The one and only Chloe Breault
Demonstrating the wonder of the Poler Napsack at Hells Canyon
Wallowa Lake, heavy construction on the eastside of the lake, but still some campsites open, and you can rent canoes or paddle boats, and fish right off the dock, if you're in to that kind of thing.
Great little dog friendly cabins at Emigrant Springs Heritage Area
So much history, so many picas, so many gophers, Maggie is going to lose her mind!
This sign is my favorite. Thumbs up Joseph, OR!
We went back for a Crystal Crane visit when Tim's Mom Pauline came to visit in February this year (2014). The girls sure loved having someone to cuddle up with in the back seat!
Stopped in Deschutes County about 40 miles outside of Molalla, OR. Saw a Rocky Mountain Goat from this lookout point.
Perfect weather for 100 degree hot spring.
Team handstands in the pond!
