We’ve soaked in hot springs around the world, but Oregon’s are hard to beat. Here’s my guide to the best Oregon hot springs, including what each one is really like, how much it costs, and which ones are worth the drive.
I’ll admit it: I’m a hot spring addict.
I really can’t think of anything better than soaking in warm, mineral-filled waters while enjoying the sounds of nature (or conversation with other soakers).
I’ve made a point to visit as many hot springs as possible on my travels, and have soaked all around the world, in places like Iceland, Japan, Costa Rica, Canada, and even Myanmar (just to name a few!).
But lucky for me, my home state of Oregon has some of the best hot springs in the United States, if not the world. While other states, like Idaho, Alaska and California, have more, I’d say Oregon is a wonderful destination for hot spring lovers, like me.
In this article, I’m sharing my personal favorite hot springs (along with notes and tips!).
I haven’t personally been to all the hot springs in Oregon (yet!), so I’m also sharing all the hot springs that are still on my wish list!
What is my favorite hot spring in Oregon?
This is a little tricky to answer because I like a lot of the hot springs for different reasons, but if I had to choose just one I think it would be Terwilliger (aka Cougar) Hot springs.
My favorite type of hot springs are those nestled in the forest, which this one is! Plus, it’s maintained weekly, so the water is some of the clearest of any on this list. If you’re not a fan of murky water that smells of sulfur, you’ll love this spot.
It’s also a bit removed from many cities and your soaking time is limited, so I haven’t found it to be too terribly crowded when I’ve gone.
When it comes to a hot spring resort, I think Breitenbush is so wonderfully quirky and unique. I highly recommend that one to people looking for a hot spring with developed facilities.
It feels like a true Oregon experience (hippy community in the woods), and is just developed enough without being “too developed”, if you know what I mean!
Terwilliger (Cougar) Hot Springs
- Location: Willamette National Forest
- Type: natural rock-walled pools, cleaned weekly
- Hike: easy 0.4-mile walk to pools
- Fee: $12 per person; children under 12 are free
- Hours: Closed for cleaning every Thursday from 8 am – noon
- Exact location
- Trailhead location
Terwilliger Hot Springs, also called Cougar Hot Springs, sits about 90 minutes east of Eugene deep in the Willamette National Forest. Once you park, you’ll need to pay the entrance fee at the small booth and get a wristband. You will have a 2-hour time limit for your visit.
A short and easy trail leads through dense old-growth trees, a section of which are scarred from a forest fire in 2020. Thankfully, the area right beside the hot spring was spared.
You’ll find a small, rustic shelter and a series of 4 tiered pools fed by a natural hot spring. The water is remarkably clear, and the whole setting is magical. It’s clothing-optional, day use only, and worth the drive.
Insider tip: Search for the carving of a cougar in one of the rocks in the top pool!
My experience: If I really had to choose, this may just be my favorite hot spring in Oregon. I’ve been several times (with and without kids), and love the forest setting and the crystal clear water.
We have a complete guide to visiting Cougar Hot Springs with everything you need to know.
Umpqua Hot Springs
- Location: Umpqua National Forest
- Type: natural tiered pools, semi-developed
- Hike: steep 0.3-mile trail to the pools
- Fee: $5 per vehicle; Northwest Forest Pass or America the Beautiful Pass accepted
- Exact location
- Parking/trailhead location
A short but steep trail climbs through the Umpqua National Forest to a series of tiered pools perched dramatically on a travertine cliff above the North Umpqua River. The views are stunning, and the whole setting feels a little otherworldly.
Clothing optional, day use only. Go on a weekday to beat the crowds, because this is one of the busier ones on this list.
My experience: When it comes to the setting, Umpqua takes the cake for most picturesque hot springs in Oregon. It really does look like all those Instagram pictures.
We’ve been several times, and think it can live up to the hype as long as you know that it does get crowded and the water is on the murky side. I will also mention that a couple of the times we’ve visited, we have noticed a bit of trash and graffiti, so keep this in mind to manage your expectations.
Check out our guide to visiting Umpqua Hot Springs for all the details.
Paulina Lake Hot Springs
- Location: Deschutes National Forest
- Type: natural (small pools dug into the beach)
- Hike: 1.2 miles one way via the Hot Spur Spring Trail (easy, minimal elevation)
- Fee: Free
- Exact location
- Trailhead location
Inside the Newberry Volcanic National Monument about 25 miles south of Bend, a flat 1.2-mile trail along the lake’s edge leads you to a couple of primitive pools dug into the sandy volcanic shoreline.
The hot springs bubble up from the ground and mix with cold lake water, so temps vary quite a bit depending on the season. Worth it for the setting alone, which is pretty spectacular.
My experience: This is the closest hot spring to Bend, Oregon and we think it’s really special. We’ve been a couple of times (both with and without kids). While the pools are quite small, and the water clarity leaves something to be desired, the view of the lake and Paulina Peak is unmatched.
McCredie Hot Springs
- Location: Willamette National Forest
- Type: natural (rock-walled pools along Salt Creek)
- Hike: easy 0.3-mile walk to the pools
- Fee: Free
- Exact location
- Parking/trailhead location
Located about an hour east of Eugene, these rock-lined pools sit right on the banks of Salt Creek in the Willamette National Forest.
There are pools on both sides of the river, however we strongly believe the south side is the better soak. They are a bit more complicated to find (not listed on Google Maps) so be sure to read the instructions in our guide to McCredie Hot Springs carefully.
And note that like most natural hot springs in the PWN, McCredie is clothing optional.
My experience: We’ve been to McCredie several times and love this hot spring for a few reasons. First, it is very underrated, in my opinion, and we’ve never seen more than a few other people here.
The large pool is quite big and has never felt crowded in my experience. It is in a fairytale setting, beside a river in a lush PNW forest, which is my favorite type of hot spring.
I will say that the water isn’t the clearest or hottest, and the bottom of the hot spring can be a bit muddy in places. If that won’t bother you, McCredie will surely be a favorite of yours as well.
Breitenbush Hot Springs
- Location: Willamette National Forest
- Type: resort (developed pools, sauna, retreat facilities)
- Hike: none; parking available at the resort
- Fee: $40/person weekday, $50/person weekend (ages 13+); $20 youth (5-12); under 5 free. Reservations required.
- Exact location/parking
This is probably the most memorable and unique hot spring in Oregon.
An off-grid, worker-owned retreat center about two hours south of Portland in the Willamette National Forest, with multiple soaking pools, a cedar sauna, and serious crunchy vibes in the best way.
Reservations required for both day use and overnight stays. If you spend the night, the booking includes vegetarian meals and round-the-clock pool access. No cell service, no wifi, and the perfect place to fully relax.
My experience: This hot spring resort in the middle of the forest run by volunteers is PEAK Oregonian vibes. I think everyone should experience it at least once. I truly loved it and can’t wait to go back!
Summer Lake Hot Springs
- Location: Summer Lake, south-central Oregon
- Type: resort (geothermal pools, guest houses, cabins, campground)
- Hike: none; accessible by road
- Fee: Overnight guests only; 2-night minimum stay for cabins, 1-night minimum stay for camping.
- Exact location/parking
A quirky desert oasis in the Oregon Outback, Summer Lake Hot Springs features a century-old bathhouse with a large indoor mineral pool and smaller outdoor rock tubs.
The setting is wide open high desert with big skies in every direction. Rustic cabins, camping, and some of the darkest night skies you’ll find in the state.
If you want to use the hot springs you must stay overnight. Being that this is the largest Dark Sky Preserve in the world, it’s the perfect spot for stargazing.
Good to know: It’s a good idea to pack your own food because there’s not a ton around. But if you want to eat out, the Pioneer Saloon nearby is the oldest bar in Oregon and has pizza that looks good. And if you want to venture a bit further, the Cowboy Dinner Tree is legendary (though you will need reservations!).
My experience: This is such a gem! It took us living in Bend for 6 years before we finally made it to this place and I’m already hoping to come back. While my typical favorite hot springs are surrounded by trees in the forest, I really liked soaking in these pools in the Oregon Outback. We did encounter some really strong winds, so just be prepared!
Crane Hot Springs
- Location: Near Burns in the eastern Oregon high desert
- Type: resort (geothermal pond + private cedar bath houses)
- Hike: none; accessible by car
- Fee: $15 for pond day use (up to 4 hours); $15 per person per hour for private bath houses. All soaking is free for overnight guests. Check the website for current pricing before visiting.
- Exact location/parking
There’s a lot to love about this hot spring resort and campground.
About 25 miles southeast of Burns, this laid-back desert resort (formerly “Crystal Crane Hot Springs”) centers around a large open-air mineral pond perfect for soaking under the stars.
The pools are large, so you won’t feel crowded. But if you do want something more secluded, there are private cedar soaking tubs available by the hour. Cabins, camping, and teepee lodging on-site.
My experience: We loved our stay here. We camped overnight and had an evening soak and went in again in the morning. The water was super clear and it felt spacious and not crowded at all.
Belknap Hot Springs Resort
- Location: Willamette National Forest, McKenzie Bridge, OR
- Type: resort (developed mineral pool along the McKenzie River)
- Hike: none
- Fee: $12 per person per hour; children under 5 not permitted in pools; walk-ins welcome
- Exact location/parking
A historic resort along the McKenzie River, outdoor mineral pools, beautifully landscaped gardens, cabins, and lodge rooms.
There is a large pool near the river for day use guests and an upper pool that’s only for overnight guests. The pools are chlorinated, which is worth knowing if that’s a dealbreaker for you, but the setting is lovely and it’s one of the most accessible resort-style options in the state.
My experience: We used to have a little routine of snowboarding at Hoodoo, then soaking here afterwards which felt so good after a day on the mountain. We’d then grab dinner at the nearby McKenzie General Store and camp in our van. The perfect combination!
I will mention that this hot spring has some stringent rules, so be sure to read up on them before your visit.
Oregon Hot Springs that are still on our list
We haven’t been to all the hot springs in Oregon (yet!), but these are still on our list:
- Alvord Hot Springs: Soaking pools right at the base of Steens Mountain, with wide open views of the Alvord Desert playa and some of the darkest night skies in Oregon.
- Bagby Hot Springs: Cedar log soaking tubs deep in the Mt. Hood National Forest, reached by a forested trail through old-growth trees.
- Willow Creek Hot Springs: A couple of small pools in wide open sagebrush country near the Nevada border, with big views and almost no one around.
- Antelope (Hart Mountain) Hot Springs: A stone-walled soaking pool in the high desert, surrounded by pronghorn, dramatic rimrock, and genuinely spectacular dark skies.
- Bigelow (Deer Creek) Hot Springs: A small rock pool tucked into a mossy fern grotto right on the McKenzie River, best in late summer when the river drops.
- Juntura / Horseshoe Bend Hot Springs: Roadside pools in the Malheur River, surrounded by rolling desert hills and a genuine sense of nowhere.
- Snivey Hot Springs: Natural rock-lined pools on the banks of the Owyhee River. This undeveloped hot spring is a gem in Southeastern Oregon, but can get crowded during the day.
Developed Hot Spring Resorts
- The Lodge at Hot Lake Springs: A beautifully restored 1906 hotel near La Grande with soaking pools, a pub, and a movie theater, still very much a work in progress but dripping with history.
- Neon Cowboy Roadhouse + Hot Springs: A desert roadhouse motel in Lakeview with a hot spring pool, full bar, and steakhouse leaning hard into cowboy vibes.
- Kah-Nee-Ta Hot Springs Resort: The Warm Springs Tribe resort has reopened after a lengthy closure, now reimagined with multiple pools, updated lodging, teepee stays, and river tubing.
Plan your trip to Oregon
Being that Oregon is our home state, we have TONS of content to help you plan your trip. Start with our Oregon Homepage and be sure to check out the articles below. Leave us a comment if you have any more questions!
- Don’t miss our round up of things to do in Bend (all year round!)
- This article will help you visit the 7 wonders of Oregon.
- If you need more ideas, here are some incredible places to visit in Oregon.
- You’ll want to keep this Oregon road trip itinerary close by.
- Read up on all the weirdly awesome things to do in Portland.
- If you’re headed west, here are all the cutest Oregon Coast towns.
- Plan your Oregon coast road trip with our insider tips & map.
- Don’t skip Cannon Beach, our favorite small town in Oregon.
- Keep this list of our favorite things to do in Oregon handy.
Want to explore the PNW like a local?
If you want to save yourself hours of research planning your Pacific Northwest road trip, we’ve got something you might be interested in…
We create the ultimate resource for traveling in our home-region. Our custom PNW Map includes our top recommendations in Washington and Oregon, (including all 4 national parks in the region!).
We loaded this map with all of our favorite spots, personal tips and photos, and hidden gems we’ve run into as we continue to explore our little corner of the world.
This custom Google Map will help you navigate the PNW like a local!
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We want to hear from you!
Have you visited any of these Oregon hot springs? We’d love to hear about your experience! Drop a comment and let us know — and if you have any questions before your trip, we’re happy to help.
Katie Diederichs is the lead writer and co-founder of Two Wandering Soles, where she creates in-depth travel guides, itineraries, and tips designed to help readers plan better trips with confidence. With a background in journalism, photography, and design, she combines thorough research with firsthand experience to deliver clear, practical, and visually driven travel content. As the primary trip planner, Katie turns complex logistics into easy-to-follow advice travelers can actually use.