A Hot Spring Visit in Oregon
Terwilliger Hot Springs (also known as Cougar Hot Springs) in located in the Willamette National Forest about 50 miles east of Eugene, Oregon. On our two week RV trip around Oregon, we wanted to visit a hot spring - and this one fit the bill. Our drive to the hot springs was simply gorgeous - passing through the National Forest and crossing the McKenzie River.
Terwilliger costs $5 to enter (there is a guard gate at the trailhead with a forest service employee to take your fee) and is accessed through a 1/4 mile trail just past Rider Creek Waterfall. The trail takes you through deep green forest that makes you feel like you are in the latest Star Wars movie - it's a beautiful old growth forest. It's a clean, and short, trail that takes your blood pressure down already by walking through the peaceful forest. Once you reach the hot springs, there is a covered shelter to store anything that you have brought with you. There are six pools running downhill - the top is the hottest at 112 with the bottom being the coolest at 86 degrees. All are rock bed with some sandy bottoms.
Please be aware that Terwilliger is a clothing optional hot springs so be prepared to see some folk au natural. (If this bothers you, there are many other hot springs in Oregon that are not clothing optional.) The hot springs is open year round with the exception of Thursdays from 8am to 12pm for cleaning. (I didn't take any photos of the hot springs itself as I 1. Didn't take my camera into the water and 2. Didn't want to infringe on anyone's privacy so enjoy the photo below from Soakoregon.com)
If you decide to visit Terwilliger, enjoy the drive in the National Forest, enjoy Rider Creek waterfall, enjoy the walk to the springs and most of all, enjoy soaking in a beautiful hot spring in the middle of the forest.
How about you? Do you enjoy visiting hot springs?
Linking up with: Travel Photo Thursday at Budget Travelers Sandbox, The Weekend Wanderlust Weekend Travel Blog Party, The Weekly Postcard at Travel Notes and Beyond and Women Around the World at Communal Global!
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If you decide to visit Terwilliger, enjoy the drive in the National Forest, enjoy Rider Creek waterfall, enjoy the walk to the springs and most of all, enjoy soaking in a beautiful hot spring in the middle of the forest.
How about you? Do you enjoy visiting hot springs?
Linking up with: Travel Photo Thursday at Budget Travelers Sandbox, The Weekend Wanderlust Weekend Travel Blog Party, The Weekly Postcard at Travel Notes and Beyond and Women Around the World at Communal Global!
Is that a log or a lake monster? Beautiful, surreal photos.
ReplyDeleteFunny, I didn't notice it looked like a lake monster until you mentioned it :) Thank you - and thanks for visiting the Unpaved Road!
DeleteWhat a gorgeous place for a week-end visit. My son lives in Medford, OR, and Eugene is not very far from him. I'll make sure to visit this place next time I am in Oregon. We have some hot springs in California too, but not as beautiful as these ones. #TheWeeklyPostcard
ReplyDeleteIt's a beautiful drive in, a very short walk and a very zen hot springs. Hope you make it there sometime you're visiting your son! Thanks for the link-up - and thanks for visiting, Anda!
DeleteVery interesting and beautiful place to visit!
ReplyDeleteIt certainly is! Thanks for visiting The Unpaved Road!
DeleteI love going to hot springs. I like both the natural setting variety (like Terwilliger) and the developed variety as well. I haven't been to a clothing optional public hot springs yet. New Zealand is full of them. I plan to go to "Hot Water" beach in a month or so - wait for low tide, dig a hole in the sand, and underground geothermal effects will give you your own hot pool.
ReplyDeleteI love hot springs,also - and both varieties, too. I have a chance to visit a developed variety in Colorado this summer that I'm trying to fit into the itinerary. "Hot Water" beach sounds fantastic - I would love to visit it! Thanks for visiting, Rhonda!
DeleteA two week RV trip? That sounds awesome! I'd love to visit that hot spring. It looks very relaxing. What a fun way to spend a day. Sounds like there is some great people watching too.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting people watching :) and a beautiful hot springs - what more could one want from a day? Thanks for visiting The Unpaved Road!
DeleteIt looks so beautifully green and lush there! I like soaking in the hot springs here in Colorado--always so relaxing.
ReplyDeleteOne of the most green and lush places I've been. And Colorado really has some delightful hot springs, doesn't it? Thanks for visiting, Pat!
DeleteWe love Santa Barbara. We live about three hours away and have always wanted to go by train. This was such a wonderful idea for you to spend the day. Thanks for all the recommendations especially the fish house.
ReplyDeleteLucky you to live only 3 hours away! Hope you enjoy your next visit there - and the fish house (make sure you check out the happy hour menu) Thanks for visiting, Mary!
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