Terwilliger Hot Springs

  • terwilliger hot springs changing kiosk

Description

Description

Terwilliger Hot Springs is one of Oregon’s Best Hot Springs

Terwilliger Hot Springs (Also known as Cougar Hot Springs) is one of those places that you hate to tell others about.  You like it so much that you want to keep it a secret from the rest of the world.

Simply put, this is a magical spot hidden within this super-natural forest.  (I say supernatural not because it is un-natural, but it is the pinnacle of what we would imagine a pristine forest to be.  It is that lush forest that we might see on an exotic movie set.

Terwilliger Hot Springs are a fantastic place to soak away anxiety and stress that you may have brought with you from the city.  It is also a great place to relax after a long hike, mountain bike ride or a day of skiing at Hoodoo.

The hot springs emerge from a small cave (you can climb into it) and flows out into 5 cascading pools.  As the water flows down into the lower pools the temperature gets a little cooler.

Water Temps

The pools can range from 85 to 112 degrees, with the top (largest) pool being the hottest.


Terwilliger Hot Springs Status Updates

Leave No Trace - Terwilliger Hot Springs Update 11/19 – Summer 2018, a fire started accidentally at the hot springs by a smoker who didn’t follow the safety restrictions issued by the Stage IV high fire risk.  No outdoor smoking (inside your closed window car only).  Thousands of acres were burned.  Terwilliger Hot Springs was closed until July 1st, 2019 due to damages and safety issues.

The Forest Service repaired the path and built a new bathroom to replace the old structures that burned down.  As you hike back to the pools, you will see many charred and fallen trees.  Fortunately the new changing structure was not harmed and the pools are still in great shape.

The pools are still a magical experience and beautiful.  There is less shade than before.

8/18 – Fire in area, hot springs is closed

7/18 – The landslide has been cleared and Terwilliger Hot Springs is open!

12/17 – Landslide closes highway 19 and access to Terwilliger Hot Springs

See our Facebook feed below for more on what’s happening.


Hours:

Open year round from dawn to dusk.

Don’t risk getting a citations for sneaking in after hours, it can be very expensive.  Belknap Hot Springs is open late evenings – which is great for soaking after sunset in the Fall, Winter and Spring months.

Directions:

For Map and driving Directions – click the “Location” link next to the “About Us” link. 

Terwilliger Hot Springs is about 7 miles south of McKenzie Hwy (Hwy 126) on Aufderheide Dr (Hwy 19) near the town of Blue River.

As you pass the reservoir on your left take a moment to enjoy the sweeping views.  You should see a small shack/kiosk on the right and a parking area on the left.  (Terwilliger Hot Springs is about an hour from Eugene and 90 minutes from Bend)

Park in the lot and walk on the path to the kiosk.  Pay the day use fee at the kiosk.  There is usually an attendant there, if not pay anyway.  (The fees help maintain the hot springs and the fines for not paying are steep.)  You’ll continue to walk through the forest for about a 1/8 mile.  (No worries – the path is well worn and easy to follow.)

Day Use Fee:

$7 per person.  Cash, Check or Credit Cards.

Terwilliger Hot Springs annual passes are available – good for the calendar year – so buy them early in the year for best value.

 

Soaking Etiquette

Clothing is OPTIONAL – people will be likely be naked there.  Do not make others feel uncomfortable for either wearing – or not wearing a swimsuit.  If public nudity bothers you, don’t visit these springs.

No glass containers (for obvious reasons) and no alcoholic beverages.

Do not smoke around others – smoking nearby is bothersome for most non-smokers.

Kudos and Awards

8 Best Hot Springs in Wester Oregon – Statesman Journal

In Hot Water: Top 3 Hot Springs in Oregon – WanderLostTravel.com

Top Rated Hot Springs in Oregon – Planetware.com

10 Most Relaxing Hot Springs in Oregon – the CultureTrip.com

8 Amazing Hot Springs to Soak and Chill in Oregon – That Oregon Life

Other Area Hot Springs

Belknap Hot Springs – developed site Hot springs are piped into a swimming pool.  Clothing required.

Bigelow / Dear Creek Hot Springs – along the McKenzie River.  This is a very small, luke-warm hot springs that is often under water during winter and spring.  It is pretty, yet it holds maybe 6 people and is often full.  Overuse has made the water murky and removed the solitude one could find here before it got popular.  We and the Forest Service encourage people to skip this until usage drops as it is small and overused.

 

GPS Coordinates: 

Latitude: 44.08389 : Longitude: -122.23194

Elevation: 1700 ft

 

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Terwilliger Hot Springs
  • By Jessy Webster
  • Email: jessy.r.webster@gmail.com

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