The 101-degree water at Crystal Crane Hot Springs near Burns, Oregon, offers a soothing soak on a chilly night.

Cold, misty rain and a flurry of snow don’t matter at this hot springs resort in the wide-open spaces of Oregon’s Harney Basin near Malheur National Wildlife Refuge.

The resort makes a perfect winter getaway offering accommodations, such as teepees with double beds and a private soaking tub, a variety of cabins and rooms, and an RV campground with full hookups.

The resort makes a good base camp for exploring the Refuge and other historic places, such as the Pete French Round Barn and the Frenchglen Hotel state heritage sites. If you’re into old barns and historic buildings, this is the place. Another interesting stop on the way to the hot springs is Oard’s Gallery and Museum on Highway 20. It features a collection of Native American jewelry and antiques.

For wildlife photographers, things are a little slow at the refuge in January; however, it’s a good chance to see a variety of raptors and bald and golden eagles that use the area in the winter. Ducks and geese can be seen on limited open waters.

The 292-square-mile refuge becomes busier with birds in February and March with migrations of greater sandhill cranes, tundra swans, northern pintails and white-fronted, snow, Ross’s and Canada geese.

A good plan is to stay two nights at hot springs with a full day of exploring in between.

The resort is located about 25 miles southeast of Burns. It could be a three- or four-hour drive from the Treasure Valley depending on winter road conditions on U.S. 20.

A stay at Crane Hot Springs is a pleasant surprise and an ideal way to break up the winter.

Visit cranehotsprings.com to learn more.