There are places that look like they belong in another country.

Then there are places that make you wonder how you've never heard of them.

I came across one of those places in Oregon.

It's called Summer Lake Hot Springs, and it's tucked away in the Oregon Outback, surrounded by wide-open desert, mountains, forest and an enormous amount of sky.

And the reason I put it on our Weekend Find list?

The hot springs.

But not in the way you might be imagining.

Summer Lake Hot Springs is built around naturally heated artesian water.

There are outdoor pools where you can soak while looking out at the Oregon landscape, along with an indoor pool.

The setting is what really caught my attention.

You're not surrounded by a giant resort.

You're surrounded by desert, mountains, trees and sky.

It feels remote in the best possible way.

And honestly, that's part of the appeal.

There are no marble hotel lobbies or endless rows of treatment rooms.

Instead, Summer Lake has a collection of unique places to stay, including modern rustic casitas, cabins and camping options.

The whole property feels connected to the landscape.

It's the kind of place where the hot springs are the main event.

I think it's the combination that makes this place so interesting.

Desert.

Hot springs.

Big skies.

A quiet little retreat in the middle of Oregon.

You could spend part of the day exploring the surrounding area and then come back and soak in warm mineral-rich water while the landscape changes around you.

That sounds like my kind of weekend.

Some places are worth knowing about simply because they feel a little different.

I think this is one of them.

I'll see you Thursday for another Wander & Reset.

Until next adventure,

Shannon 🌿