Terwilliger Hot Springs — also known as Cougar Hot Springs — is a series of six geothermal pools cascading down a forested hillside in the Willamette National Forest, near Blue River, Oregon. Steamy, mineral-rich water, towering old-growth fir and ferns, and a nearby creek make this one of the most popular soaking spots on the McKenzie River corridor.

Why it’s worth the stop

• Six tiers of pools – temperatures range from warm to genuinely hot; the higher pools, closer to the source, run hottest.
• A real forest setting – the pools sit under towering fir trees and ferns, with a creek running alongside.
• Short, easy access – a scenic half-mile round trip from the parking lot, no serious hike required.
• Open year-round – rain, snow, or summer heat, though winter access depends on road conditions (see Season below).
• Affordable – a modest day-use fee covers the springs, trail, lagoon, and parking lot.

Good to know before you go

This is a clothing-optional site at the pools themselves — some visitors soak nude, others don’t, and it’s a low-key, judgment-free atmosphere either way. That said, nudity is not permitted anywhere visible from the Aufderheide Scenic Byway (Forest Road 19), including the parking area and trailhead. It’s a day-use site only (no overnight camping), no alcohol is allowed, and pets aren’t permitted at the site or in the pools (leashed service animals are the exception).

A few tips

• Go early or late to avoid peak crowds — weekends fill up fast.
• Bring water and snacks — there’s nowhere to buy either on site.
• Leave no trace — pack out what you bring in.

Visit Details

Getting there (no postal address)

From Highway 126: From Blue River, OR, travel 4 miles east on Highway 126 to Aufderheide Scenic Byway (Forest Road 19). Continue south on Aufderheide Drive, taking a right at the Y at the top of Cougar Reservoir. Continue south on Aufderheide Drive for 5 miles to the Terwilliger Hot Springs parking lot.

From Highway 58: Take Westfir Road across from the Middle Fork Ranger Station and turn left at the stop sign. Continue to the red covered bridge. Go past the bridge; the road becomes Aufderheide Drive (Forest Road 19). Continue on the Aufderheide Scenic Byway for about 50 miles until you reach the Terwilliger Hot Springs parking lot.

Parking

The parking lot has been enlarged to hold twice as many cars. Parking with any portion of a vehicle on the paved surface of Forest Road 19 is prohibited.

On-site hosts

Hosts live at the entrance of the hot springs to help visitors and keep the area safe and welcoming.

Accessibility

The quarter-mile trail to the hot springs is densely packed gravel and soil and is not maintained for wheelchair access. The trail is generally low-gradient, but a few sections have short, steeper grades that may be difficult for visitors with mobility limitations. Snow and ice can make the trail particularly difficult in winter. Narrow rock steps lead down to the pools and are not wheelchair accessible.

Restrictions

• No alcohol
• No nudity visible from the Aufderheide Scenic Byway (Forest Road 19)
• Day use only
• Camping is restricted to developed campgrounds in the Cougar Recreation Area
• No pets at the site or in the pools; leashed service animals are permitted but may not enter the pools

Nearby on the Aufderheide

Terwilliger sits just off the Aufderheide Scenic Byway near Cougar Reservoir, close to several other spots worth combining into the same trip: Cougar Crossing Campground & Day Use Area, Echo Day Use and Boat Launch, and Slide Creek Campground, Boat Launch & Day Use Area.

The information listed is provided as a courtesy. The Forest Service may make changes at any time that may not be reflected here. Reach out to the Forest Service’s website or the McKenzie River Ranger Station to verify or get updated info.