Austin Hot Springs


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Austin Hot Springs GPS

45.021

122.009

AUSTIN HOT SPRINGS MAP QUAD:

FISH CREEK MTN. 15

Austin Hot Springs Description

Approximately 60 miles outside of Portland, OR. along Highway 224 lies Austin Hot Springs. This mystic hot spring, heated by volcanic activity, sits in and along the Clackamas River, surrounded by the Mt. Hood National Forest. There are possibly several rock ringed pools along the river depending upon the season.

Warnings of +200 degree bursts of hot water, and use of extreme caution mark this spring. There are suitable spots to soak, but one must be very careful to not scald themselves.

Currently Austin Preservation is trying to raise funds to purchase the spring and surrounding 152 acres from the J. Frank Schmidt Profit Sharing Trust. Austin hot springs has been surrounded by controversy for years. Its extreme temperatures has led to many soakers being scalded, and lawsuits against the owners. Not a good mix. Due to these and many incidences, the area is closed.

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  • michal madden

    Yes I am curious if Austin hot springs is on forest service land or if it is privately owned? I have some clients looking to purchase a hotsprings even if it is undeveloped. A creek or a river on the property is a must. Thank you please let me know if you know of any.

  • http://www.austinhotsprings.org carol

    There was a big clean up save the spring party in Sept 2011. the week after I had a lovely soak, with some other visitors. just be sure to pay your parking pass at the ranger station. then park on side of road and walk in. during the fall the river is low enough to walk over to see springs on the other side of river also.

    Keep mixing the water with hand or feet. I found that if you sit still too long, the very hot water floats on the top and can initially be very hot. but just a swirl and then very nice . Plus you can cool it down by moving rocks to let river water in. There were 4-5 pools that you can sit or lay in. About 2 feet deep?

    White rocks and green algea show you where hotest points are. test before you go all the way in and to be safe stay closer to the river side of rocks.

  • Arnold

    According to the Oregon Forest Service (Estacada Ranger Station) , the Austin hot srings are closed, and privately owned. Additionaly, if anyone is caught and escorted of the property, it comes with a $500 fine and a tresspassing charge. HAPPY SOAKING!!! 11/04/2011

  • Planted38

    If you were paying attention, google will tell you all you need to know! no the forest service doesnt own the land its private! PGE in some way shape or form owns the land in the form of a trust!

  • Sun Romper

    If YOU were paying attention Planted38, you’d know that J. Frank Schmidt now owns the land. PGE had it in the 60′s and 70′s, where it once had a campground. But PGE closed the campground in the late 70′s because Russian immigrants were living there full time and threatening others who attempted to camp there. PGE turned it into a day use only park for a few years. After a few lawsuits in the early 80′s for people being scalded, PGE closed the park and tore out the footbridge. They then sold the property. Schmidt bought it hoping to develop it into another Brightbush Resort type location… but failed to gain the permits and codes to do such. After being sued twice, he took measures to make access to the area difficult. It has been up for sale for at least 3 years now, but he is wanting too much for it.

  • Jim Miller

    I found it too hot to keep feet in. That week, news said 2 people were burned there, and it is privately owned, and not supposed to be open to the public, though many use it daily

  • http://johnson morgan

    If it is below the high water mark it is completely legal in Oregon. You can own river front property here but if the shore is below water in winter time then people can use it during summer.