**Updated October 1, 2026**
Oregon has a lot going for it. Pine-scented forests, towering waterfalls, craft beer that’ll knock your hiking socks off. But nothing beats sinking into a natural hot spring while mist curls off the water and your worries melt like marshmallows in a campfire.
If you’ve been googling “hot springs in Oregon” while dreaming of escaping your inbox and society in general — welcome, friend. You’re in the right place.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through the best (and not-so-obvious) hot springs across the state. From drive-up soaks with zero hiking required to off-grid pools where clothing is optional and the views are PG-13, I’ve either soaked in them myself or gathered the real tea from people who have. No fluff, no tourist traps — just the good, the weird, and the wild warm water spots worth your time.
So grab your towel, channel your inner salamander, and let’s get steamy.
Best Times of Year to Visit the Hot Springs
One of the best things about Oregon’s hot springs is that there really isn’t one single “hot springs season.” The experience changes dramatically depending on where you’re going and what time of year you visit.
Fall is my favorite time for an Oregon hot springs trip. September through November brings cooler temperatures that make slipping into a steaming pool feel especially good, and after the peak summer travel season, popular springs may be a little less hectic. Fall colors along the drive are an added bonus.
Winter can be magical—but requires more planning. There’s nothing quite like soaking in naturally hot water while snow covers the surrounding forest. However, many Oregon hot springs are reached by forest roads that may be snowy, icy, unplowed, or inaccessible during winter. At Umpqua Hot Springs, for example, winter road closures can turn the short hike from the trailhead into a considerably longer walk.
If you’re visiting in winter, don’t assume that Google Maps knows whether a remote road is actually passable. Check current road and weather conditions before setting out, and carry chains or other required traction equipment when traveling through Oregon snow zones.
Spring is beautiful but unpredictable. Melting snow can make trails muddy, and high water can affect hot springs located along rivers and creeks. Some higher-elevation forest roads may remain inaccessible well into spring.
Summer usually provides the easiest access, particularly to springs reached via forest roads or hiking trails. The trade-off is that popular natural hot springs can get crowded, especially on weekends. If possible, arrive early in the morning or visit on a weekday.
Summer also brings another consideration in Oregon: wildfire season. Fires and smoke can lead to rapidly changing road, trail, and recreation-area closures. Before heading into the mountains or forests, check current wildfire conditions and local closures rather than relying on information from an older blog post or map.
Local Tip: For many natural Oregon hot springs, I’d choose a weekday in late September or October. You get that wonderful cool-air/hot-water combination without dealing with the potentially difficult winter access. For high-desert hot springs in Eastern Oregon, the cooler months can be especially appealing.
My Favorite Hot Springs in Oregon
My first experience with a hot spring was when I first moved to Portland (many years ago) and my would-be husband and some of our friends went to Bagby Hot Springs Oregon, several miles southeast of Portland. It was Christmas Day and we spent a lovely couple of days soaking, staying in the nearby cabin, and exploring the forest. It was here that I soaked naked among total strangers – something this Iowa-born girl never would have thought would happen to her. After the initial self-consciousness abated , I relaxed into it and the 108-degree water was soooo soothing.
Oregon has over 40 of these hot springs located throughout the state – I’m going to highlight just five of (what I think) are among the best.
Be sure to check the official website of each hot springs, as closures can often happen due to weather or trail conditions. I’ve included links below.
Bagby Hot Springs
Bagby was my first dip into the world of steamy, forest-nestled bliss back in the 1990’s (yes, I’m dating myself)—and let me tell you, it did not disappoint. Tucked deep in the Mt. Hood National Forest, Bagby is about a 45-minute drive southeast of Estacada, Oregon. Just set your GPS for “Bagby Trailhead” and bring your best mixtape, because the last stretch is a winding forest road that’ll make you feel like you’re starring in a moody indie film.
Once you park (there’s a designated lot that fills up fast on weekends), lace up your boots for an easy-to-moderate 1.5-mile hike through the kind of Pacific Northwest scenery that’ll make you want to hug a tree—or at least Instagram it.
At the end of the trail, you’ll find three rustic bathhouses, lovingly managed by the USDA Forest Service. The main bathhouse has five cedar tubs, each cozied up in its own private room (perfect if you’re not ready for your full PNW debut). The upper and lower bathhouses have larger tubs for group soaks—bring friends or make some new ones, clothing optional only on the bathhouse decks. Seriously, once you’re out of the tub, it’s robe-on time. Let’s keep it classy, campers.
🧭 How to Get There: From Estacada, take OR-224 east until it turns into Forest Road 46. Turn onto Forest Road 63, then left onto Forest Road 70. Follow signs for Bagby Trailhead.
💰 Admission Fee: $5 per person (cash only—this is not a swipe-your-card kind of place).
🛏 Overnight Option: The nearby Bagby Campground is seasonal and first-come, first-served. No glamping here—just trees, stars, and hopefully a good sleeping pad.
💡 Pro Tip: Go early in the morning on a weekday to avoid the crowds. And yes, bring flip-flops. That cedar decking can get slicker than a Portland brunch waitlist.
Cougar Hot Springs
Also known as Terwilliger Hot Springs (because apparently one name wasn’t enough), Cougar Hot Springs is a steaming slice of heaven about 50 miles east of Eugene, tucked away in the lush Willamette National Forest. If you’ve ever wanted to soak in nature while pondering whether moss has feelings, this is your spot.
There are eight terraced pools here, each one cooler than the last—literally. The top pool sits toasty at around 112°F, thanks to a thermal spring source bubbling up right at the top. As the water trickles down to each lower pool, it loses a few degrees—so you can pick your soak based on how hot you can handle your forest spa.
Getting there is easy: once you park (designated lot available), it’s just a short, well-maintained trail through the trees to the pools. And yes, clothing is optional. This is Oregon, after all.
🧭 How to Get There: From Eugene, take Highway 126 east toward McKenzie Bridge. Turn right onto Forest Road 19 (Cougar Dam Rd), follow signs for Terwilliger Hot Springs. You’ll park in the designated lot and stroll in about 0.25 miles.
💰 Admission Fee: $12 per person (bring cash or check; no cards, no Venmo, no IOUs).
🧽 Know Before You Go: There are changing shelters and a vault toilet, but don’t expect fancy amenities. Pack out what you pack in—and maybe skip the glass bottles, yeah?
💡 Pro Tip: Go early in the morning or on a rainy day if you want a quieter soak. And always bring a dry towel (trust me on this one).
Crystal Crane Hot Springs
If glamping had a spa day, it would look a lot like Crystal Crane Hot Springs. Located in Oregon’s wide-open high desert, just 25 minutes southeast of Burns, this hidden gem is your ticket to rustic relaxation with a side of steaming mineral bliss.
You’ve got options here: book a private cabin, cozy up in a canvas-wrapped teepee (yep, complete with heating), or roll up with your RV and still get in on the soaking action. Traveling with your ride-or-die crew? They’ve got a ranch house and apartment, each sleeping up to 6, perfect for a group getaway without the group text drama.
Soaking comes in two flavors:
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The hot spring pond, a large outdoor pool under a sky so full of stars it’ll make your city heart weep (included in your overnight stay).
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Private cedar bathhouses, rentable for around $30/hour if you prefer your serenity solo—or just want to marinate in peace.
Did I mention the smell of cedar? It’s like nature’s essential oil diffuser, and it makes the whole experience feel extra soothing.
And because you’re not totally off the grid (unless you want to be), overnight guests get complimentary Wi-Fi in the common area, fresh coffee in the morning, and access to a full kitchen to whip up dinner or just heat up your Trader Joe’s faves.
🧭 How to Get There: From Burns, head southeast on OR-78. Turn left onto Crane-Buchanan Road, and look for signs to Crystal Crane Hot Springs.
💰 Admission Fee: Soaking pond is included with your overnight stay. Private bathhouses rent for ~$30/hour. Day-use soaking available for a fee—check the official site for current rates.
📶 Connectivity: Wi-Fi in the common room only. So yes, you can post your soak selfie… eventually.
💡 Pro Tip: Book a night in the teepee with a soaking tub—best of both worlds and a killer sunrise view. Bring your own snacks and drinks (there’s no on-site restaurant), and maybe a telescope if you’ve got one.
Summer Lake Hot Springs
If your body’s been whispering “I need a break” and your brain’s been yelling “get me the hell out of town,” this might just be your new favorite reset button. Summer Lake Hot Springs, nestled in Oregon’s remote Lake County, is about a 2-hour drive southeast of Bend—and totally worth the dusty detour.
This isn’t your average hot springs stop. First of all, it’s set beside Summer Lake, a massive alkali lake that looks like it could be the backdrop for a spaghetti western if the cowboys were into mineral baths and starry nights. The water is loaded with body-loving minerals that’ll make you feel like you just got back from a spa… if the spa had sagebrush and jackrabbits.
The main event? A large, enclosed hot spring pool fed directly from the source through a big ol’ pipe. And yes, you can stand right under it and let the 100+ degree water pound away your shoulder tension like a natural massage. Or just float around and let the minerals do their thing. Silence your phone. Close your eyes. Let it happen.
Lodging-wise, you’ve got options: rent a fully-equipped rustic cabin (cozy and charmingly creaky), or pitch a tent at one of the campsites on the property. Either way, you’ll fall asleep to the wind sweeping across the high desert and maybe an owl or two checking in on your zen levels.
🧭 How to Get There: From Bend, take US-97 south to OR-31. Follow it straight into the middle of nowhere (aka Lake County) and watch for signs to Summer Lake Hot Springs.
💰 Admission Fee: Soaking is included with your overnight stay only—check their site for details: Summer Lake Hot Springs
🛏 Stay Options: Cabins, campsites, and RV spaces. No TV, no frills, just geothermal goodness and desert calm.
💡 Pro Tip: Bring a robe and sandals—you’ll thank me for that chilly walk back from the pool at night. And don’t skip sunset. The sky turns the kind of pink that makes you question every boring beige wall you’ve ever tolerated.
Umpqua Hot Springs
If your legs are toast from trekking the North Umpqua Trail—or you just want to pretend you’ve hiked 80 miles—Umpqua Hot Springs has your back. Literally. These cliffside soaking pools are like nature’s version of a spa day… if your spa had moss-covered trees, river views, and zero cell service.
You’ll find this geothermal treasure about 0.3 miles from the day-use parking lot. Don’t let the short hike fool you—it’s a bit steep and can get muddy, so wear shoes with grip unless you’re into dramatic slips and surprise acrobatics.
The springs themselves are tiered pools built into a hillside, with water temps hovering around 108°F in the top pool. That one’s the deepest (about 3 feet), and also the warmest, so head there if you’re chasing maximum melt mode. Below that, you’ll find six smaller pools, each one cooler as they cascade down—perfect for hopping between temps like the Goldilocks of hot springs.
The view? Chef’s kiss. You’re perched above the Umpqua River, with Surprise Falls trickling down across the canyon like a secret waterfall just for you.
And if things get too toasty? Take the polar plunge and dip into the river below. It’s brisk, but it’ll wake your whole soul up.
🧭 How to Get There: From Roseburg, take OR-138 east. Turn onto Forest Road 34 (Toketee-Rigdon Rd), then follow signs for Umpqua Hot Springs. You’ll need a Northwest Forest Pass for parking.
💰 Admission Fee: $5 day-use fee or display your NW Forest Pass. Cashless payment is available.
🩲 Clothing Optional: Yep. Don’t be shocked. Most folks are soaking in their birthday suits—especially in the upper pools.
💡 Pro Tip: Go early in the morning or later in the evening to beat the crowds. Bring a towel, some water, and leave the booze at home—this place is magical enough on its own.
Whether you’re craving a quiet forest retreat, a moonlit dip under the stars, or just want to say you bathed in volcanic water without it being weird — Oregon’s hot springs have your back (and your sore muscles). Don’t wait for the perfect moment. Go chase the steam.
Go big! Turn the adventure into a hot spring-filled road trip and visit them all! For more road trip planning ideas, head over to How to Plan a Pacific Northwest Road Trip.
Hot Springs Etiquette
Natural hot springs aren’t swimming pools or spas. Many are fragile places on public land, and a little consideration goes a long way toward keeping them enjoyable—and open—for everyone.
Pack out everything you bring in. This includes food wrappers, cans, towels, tissues, and anything else you brought with you. Better yet, if you spot a small piece of trash left behind by someone else, consider packing that out, too.
Skip the soap and shampoo. Even biodegradable soap doesn’t belong in a natural hot spring. These pools often drain directly into streams and surrounding ecosystems. Save the shower for when you get back to your accommodation.
Leave the glass at home. Broken glass and bare feet are a terrible combination, and you don’t want to be the person responsible for making a natural soaking pool unsafe. Bring water in a reusable, non-glass bottle instead.
Share the pools. Oregon’s better-known hot springs can have limited soaking space. Don’t spread your belongings around the edge of a small pool or monopolize the best spot for hours when other people are waiting.
Keep the volume down. Part of the appeal of soaking in a natural hot spring is listening to the forest, river, or absolutely nothing at all. Keep conversations and music at a respectful volume—and personally, I’d skip the Bluetooth speaker altogether.
Be prepared for nudity. Clothing customs vary considerably among Oregon’s natural hot springs, and you may encounter nude bathers at some locations. Travel Oregon specifically notes that visitors to Umpqua Hot Springs should expect nudity. If that’s outside your comfort zone, a developed hot springs resort may be a better choice.
Respect other people’s privacy. Don’t photograph or film strangers without their permission. That becomes particularly important at hot springs where clothing is optional.
Don’t alter the spring. Avoid digging out pools, moving rocks unnecessarily, damming waterways, or otherwise trying to redesign a natural hot spring to your liking.
And finally, follow the basic rule I use throughout the Pacific Northwest: leave the place looking at least as good as you found it. Oregon’s natural hot springs receive a lot of visitors, and protecting them depends largely on how those visitors behave.