Foley Hot Springs is located 4 miles up Horse Creek from McKenzie Bridge and is currently a private location and not publicly accessible for soaking.
Early picture of Foley Hot Springs ca 1893.
Foley Springs was a popular destination for the wealthy and pretentious, even more so than nearby Belknap Hot Springs.
Before the advent of the automobile, people would travel from all over the United States to stay at the springs for the summer.
According to Oregon Geographic Names (Lewis L. McArthur ed., Oregon Historical Society Press, pg. 320.) Foley Springs is near McKenzie Bridge, Lane County, Oregon. The property was purchased by Dr. Foley in 1870 and he operated it under the name Bethesda Hot Springs. Dr. Foley operated the springs for 9 years.
View Oregon Hot Springs in a larger map
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FOLEY SPRINGS MAP QUAD:
MCKENZIE BRIDGE 15
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Foley Springs is now owned by Carol Ach, who along with her brood, run McKenzie River Organic Farm in Leaburg, OR. She and her late partner, Douglas Moser, purchased the property in late 2001ish. Her children have big plans to develop the property into some kind of for profit “Breitenbush-esque” resort, but this hasn’t happened to date. The spring is gushing from an underground source and is frequented by numerous animals due to the massive salt licks on the rocks. It is piped to an old swimming pool, which the owners now use for private parties. I have been to the springs on 6 occasions. It is as nice as any of the reputed hot springs in Oregon and the lithia content in the water seems greater. Very relaxing. I wouldn’t trespass either as the owners are likely to shoot first, ask questions later….You can always ask to use it, as there are now cabins on site, but the asking price will be more akin to California type hot springs resorts without the service. In other words, they’re in it for the money….
How do you find the contact info for these people to ask to use the springs to soak?
Sounds amazing!
The owners also own Mackenzie River Organic Farm. AKA Red Neck Organic farm. You could check their website and try to contact them.
I snuck up there yesterday. It was nasty, geese in the pool, dirty, and the people threatened to call the sheriff! It’s not worth the effort.
I used to spend a lot of time up there. I helped Carol & Douglas run the cold water pipes from Horse Creek to the pool house. We used to help keep the place clean. Soaking in the tubs, swimming in the pool, wonderful memories.
Patrick, Carol & Douglas purchased Foley more like in 1992 or 1993.
I think that was President Roosevelt’s hunting ground for the elk. He had them flown in… and named them “Roosevelt Elk”. Many a good time for both him and I… But a was soaking and loving the warm water!
I asked about this hot spring at the ranger station when I visited this area on 4/16/18 and the staff told me that it’s a private property and don’t try to sneak in there because you might get shot. So that’s that.
I used to go there frequently in the 80s with my family. That was actually the pool I learned to swim in (well, my gma threw me in and said ‘swim’!). I have a lot of fond memories from there – holidays, the pool, the main house, the outhouse , etc. I’d love to go back for an hour or two…but from what I hear the current owners won’t entertain the idea.