Located at the doorstep of the Willamette National Forest in Willamette Valley, Eugene is surrounded by breathtaking natural scenery and features several hiking trails and adventure activities scattered throughout its picturesque landscapes.
The region’s myriad of natural attractions includes a collection of diverse thermal pool destinations that rank amongst some of the top hot springs within the Beaver State, each offering a unique soaking experience that promises unmatched immersion into the region’s natural mineral waters.
From a wide selection of rustic primitive pools to full-survive luxury resorts and wellness centers, visitors to the southern reaches of Willamette Valley can discover the true meaning of bliss at these six hot springs near Eugene, OR. (Distance from Eugene city center in brackets).
Hot Springs Near Eugene, Oregon
1. McCredie Hot Springs (52.9 Miles)
Located just under an hour’s drive southeast of Eugene in the Willamette National Forest, the McCredie Hot Springs is a rustic primitive pool known for its silt-covered natural mineral baths overlooking the region’s breathtaking untouched landscapes.
The McCredie Hot Springs are clothing-optional and feature two separate thermal baths for soaking. Temperatures in the pools fluctuate but typically average between 98- and 114 degrees Fahrenheit. However, the pools can occasionally reach as high as 130 degrees, and visitors should test the waters before jumping in.
Both pools boast high mineral concentrations of magnesium, sodium bicarbonate, and calcium, providing the water’s natural curative properties that are known to improve body circulation, arthritis, and muscular health.
The only onsite amenities the McCredie Hot Springs offers include a public restroom and picnic tables. However, further services, including overnight accommodations, can be found at the nearby Blue Pool Campground, or (if you don’t want to camp) the Arbor Inn Motel.
2. Cougar Hot Springs (55.1 Miles)
Another breathtakingly beautiful primitive hot spring located in the Willamette National Forest, the Cougar Hot Springs is one of the most famous hot springs near Eugene, thanks to its pristine natural setting and the relatively easily accessible nature of their location.
Also known as the Terwilliger Hot Springs, this thermal pool destination features six different natural soaking tubs varying in temperature and ranging from 85 degrees Fahrenheit to 112 degrees.
Additionally, while the Cougar Hot Springs are undeveloped, they are maintained by the U.S. Forest Service, which provides safe and comfortable soaking conditions. The site requires a small admission fee which goes towards the general maintenance of the site, including the parking lot, hiking trail, and other safety amenities by the pools.
While the hot springs do not permit overnight guests, visitors looking to spend an extended time in the area can enjoy plenty of comfort services by booking a campsite at the nearby Cougar Recreation Area or you can check out the more luxurious Eagle Rock Lodge nearby.
3. Belknap Springs (58.6 Miles)
Offering more amenities and services for a more carefree soaking experience, the Belknap Hot Springs is a full-service luxury resort located just an hour east of Eugene.
Combining a comfortable soaking experience with the breathtaking vistas of the national forest, the Belknap Hot Springs offers a perfect blend of pampered relaxation and rustic adventure.
The Belknap Hot Springs features two pools on its property. While both are open year-round, only one is made available for day visitors, while the second and more opulent swimming hole is reserved exclusively for the resort’s overnight guests.
Luckily, the resort offers spectacular accommodation options, including 18 lodge rooms and eight guest cabins. Alternatively, the property provides several camping opportunities for visitors who enjoy Oregon’s great outdoors.
4. Deer Creek Hot Springs (62.7 Miles)
Also known as the Bigelow Hot Springs, the Deer Creek Hot Springs are located in the breathtakingly beautiful Willamette National Forest and are just over an hour’s drive east from Eugene.
Tucked away in the protected wilderness of the forest, the Deer Creek Hot Springs is a small primitive pool nestled along the banks of the McKenzie River. It forgoes the comforts of any onsite development to preserve the thermal baths’ authentic setting while maintaining the pristine natural beauty of the environment.
The thermal pools can fit between two and four people and feature comfortable natural temperatures. The spring averages about 102 degrees Fahrenheit throughout the year but can become slightly cooler in the winter when frequent cracks in the rock wall let cold water from the river seep through.
For this reason, the best time to visit the Deer Creek Hot Springs is during the spring and fall, when the water is guaranteed to provide a comfortable soaking experience. No additional amenities are offered within the primitive thermal pool complex, but visitors can enjoy extra comforts at the nearby Paradise Campground.
5. Breitenbush Hot Springs (110 Miles)
While slightly further from Eugene, the Breitenbush Hot Springs require a two-hour drive to access but also provide one of the most lavish thermal spring resort experiences in the state.
As a full-service retreat and convention center in the Willamette National Forest, the Breitenbush Hot Springs offer an unparalleled soaking experience that promises a quiet serenity while enjoying the surreal natural setting of the forest’s tranquil environments.
The resort features seven different thermal pools divided into two distinct regions on the property. The Sacred Meadow area boasts three pools with soft rock beds that feature pastoral designs for reconnecting with the natural environment. The other four pools are found on a concrete patio and can fit up to six bathers.
All the resort’s pools vary in temperature but average between 100- and 110 degrees Fahrenheit throughout the year.
As an extensive retreat center, the Breitenbush Hot Springs boasts many additional onsite services and amenities, including several lodgings and camping opportunities and a spa center with several classes and treatments.
6. Umpqua Hot Springs (130.3 Miles)
Like the Breitenbush Hot Springs, the Umpqua Hot Springs are slightly further from Eugene and require a two-hour drive. However, this thermal pool is also one of the most idyllic primitive pools in the state and are well-worth the extended journey to reach them.
Located in the Umpqua National Forest, the U.S. Forest Service protects the hot springs and requires a $5 admission fee to enter. This fee goes towards maintaining the pools’ facilities, which include maintained pathways and wooden fences around the larger pools of the complex.
The Umpqua Hot Springs features eight separate thermal pools separated by the travertine shelves that comprise the facility. The pools vary in temperature and range from 100 to 115 degrees Fahrenheit.
Additionally, each pool is fed by the same mineral spring beneath the planet’s surface and boasts therapeutic properties known to soothe skin conditions and other ailments.
While no overnight camping is permitted at the springs, the nearby Toketee Lake Campground provides an ideal setting for basing your visit to the thermal pools and several other natural attractions within the national forest. For those looking for a more stylized camping experience, including glamping, you can check out Umpqua’s Last Resort.
