7 Best Hot Springs In Oregon

best hot springs in oregon
Jatin
Jatin 
Published
| 4 min read

With a range of sandy beaches, dense rainforests, mountains and harsh deserts, Oregon is probably one of the most outdoorsy states in the United States. Unique outdoor wonders abound in the state, and one example is Crater Lake and its surrounding cliffs, making up Crater Lake National Forest. The pristine blue waters of this round lake, with a small island in the middle, are a sight to behold. For hiking and skiing, check out the soaring mountains of the Cascade Range, more specifically, Oregon’s tallest, Mount Hood.

Courtesy of its active volcanoes, Oregon is also home to plenty of hot springs. With hot springs in the western mountains and eastern deserts, you can have therapeutic soaks in the state all year. For your ease, check out this guide and learn more about the best hot springs in Oregon.

1. Umpqua Hot Springs

Umqua Hot Springs, Oregon
Source: Photo by Flickr user Mitchell Friedman used under CC BY 2.0

Made up of three geothermal pools and sitting on a cliff surrounded by a lush canopy, Umpqua Hot Springs are some of the most popular hot springs in Oregon.

The water temperature stays well around 108°F (42°C), and the final step to reach the hot springs is a steep hike of around 0.4 mi (0.6 km). The hot springs stay open all year but do not allow overnight stays. Moreover, the nearest campground is Toketee Lake Campground, 3.2 mi (5.2 km) away from the hot springs. For convenience, vault toilets are available on the site.

Umpqua Hot Springs

Address: NF-3401, Idleyld Park, OR 97447, United States

Opening hours: sunrise - sunset (daily)

Price: 5 USD (per vehicle)

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2. Terwilliger Hot Springs

Terwilliger Hot Springs 2016-04-04
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Kane5187 used under CC BY-SA 4.0

Also known as Cougar Hot Springs due to their proximity to Cougar Reservoir, Terwilliger Hot Springs are made up of four cascading pools, about 2 ft (0.6 m) to 3 ft (0.9 m) deep.

The well-maintained hot springs are nestled in the thick woods of Willamette National Forest, around 55 mi (89 km) east of Eugene and near McKenzie Bridge. The water temperature gives you options as it gets milder as you move from the upper to lower pools, ranging from 112°F (44°C) to 85°F (29°C). The hot springs are 0.4 mi (0.6 km) from the parking lot, where you can also find the nearest pit toilets. For overnight camping, there are a few year-round and seasonal campgrounds nearby, with the nearest one being Cougar Crossing Campground.

Terwilliger Hot Springs

Address: Willamette National Forest, Blue River, OR 97413, United States

Opening hours: Fri - Wed: sunrise - sunset; Thu: 12pm - sunset

Price: 7 USD - 10 USD; annual pass for 60 USD

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3. Bigelow Hot Springs

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

This one-pool hot spring is partially set inside a cave and sits beside the McKenzie River and near McKenzie Bridge, making for a charming setting. Its mild temperature of around 102°F (39°C) makes it ideal for a long soak, although it gets milder and ineffective during the winter. Moreover, it requires a short hike to get to the place. You can also find some campgrounds nearby, with the nearest being the riverside Olallie Campground, 2 mi (3 km) away from the hot spring.

The geothermal pool can only accommodate two to four people at a time. So, if you are lucky enough to find this magical setting vacant, you can have a memorable and romantic time with your partner.

Bigelow Hot Springs

Address: Blue River, OR 97413, United States

Opening hours: 6am - 6pm (daily)

Price: Free

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4. McCredie Hot Springs

IMG_1453
Source: Photo by Flickr user Mitchell Friedman used under CC BY 2.0

Take a soothing dip in the therapeutic waters of these hot springs and feel your muscles easing up. Surrounded by towering pine trees, the hot springs provide a charming setting to admire nature. The year-round hot springs are near Oakridge and 0.3 mi (0.5 km) away on an easy hike from the parking lot, where you can also find the pit toilet. The water temperature can reach as high as 130°F (54°C), so be careful before hopping in.

Some of the pools are on both sides of the Salt Creek River, but the soakable main pools are only to the river’s south.

McCredie Hot Springs

Address: Willamette National Forest, Blue River, OR 97413, United States

Opening hours: sunrise - sunset (daily)

Price: Free

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5. Barnes Warm Spring

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Sitting at the base of Steens Mountain Wilderness, this solitary warm spring offers a relaxing escape. It also takes a 0.8-mi (1.3-km) hike from the parking spot to reach the spring. On the hike or in the pool, you can also witness a variety of birds and, at times, deer and antelope, allowing you to admire nature at its best.

The geothermal spring is about 90°F (30°C) and is located behind an abandoned homesite, hidden by grass and boulders, making it perfect for a secluded and intimate time.

Barnes Warm Spring

Nearest village: Frenchglen, OR 97736, United States

Price: Free

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6. Crane Hot Springs

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Nestled in the desert in southeast Oregon, Crane Hot Springs is a one-spot-stop for hot springs, camping and well-appointed lodgings.

Apart from a spacious hot spring lagoon, it also features seven private hot spring tubs, allowing you to relax in the hot springs in privacy. While you can control the water temperature of the private tubs, the water temperature of the public pool stays between 100°F (38°C) and 106°F (41°C), depending on the season. Other than well-appointed suites, themed cabins and tent camps, the hot springs also provide numerous RV sites.

Crane Hot Springs

Address: 59315 OR-78, Burns, OR 97720, United States

Website: Crane Hot Springs

Opening hours: 7am - 10pm (daily)

Price: 5 USD - 60 USD

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7. Paulina Lake Hot Springs

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Located within Deschutes National Park, the hot springs include five circular, one-person pools sitting beside the shore of Paulina Lake.

Two hiking trails lead to the hot springs, with the shorter one being the 1.2 mi (1.9 km) long Hot Spur Trail. For a more challenging route and charming sights, you can take the Paulina Lake Hot Springs Trail, a 7.5 mi (12.1 km) trail that loops around Paulina Lake. The water temperatures in the pools vary from 90°F (32°C) to 115°F (46°C) throughout the year, making for a therapeutic and mineral-rich soak. The springs also sit on the northern shore of the lake, where camping is not allowed, but you can find campsites in nearby areas.

Paulina Lake Hot Springs

Address: Little Crater Campground, La Pine, OR 97739, United States

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Soothe your mind and body in Oregon

The feeling of relaxing your body in the mineral-rich, therapeutic hot springs is one of unmatched bliss. From secluded wooded hot springs to open lakeside hot springs, Oregon has a wide range of them to choose from. Visit one of these hot springs for your next adventure and have a fun, relaxing and responsible travel.

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Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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Jatin, a freelance writer, photographer, and cinephile, has a penchant for visiting culturally and historically significant cities. He particularly enjoys engaging in street photography whenever he...Read more

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