Rain or shine, it’s always a good time to visit a natural hot springs in Oregon. While Portland is known for many things, most are unaware of the hot soaks located within a mere few hours drive of the city.
Hot Springs 1-2 Hours Drive From Portland
South of Portland in the Mt. Hood National Forest a small group of 3 hot springs exists that are more than worthy of soaking your troubles away. Although all of the below hot pools can be accessed year-round caution should be exercised during winter.
Austin Hot Springs – 1.5 Hours Drive From Portland
Austin hot springs is the closest to Portland and feature rock pools that change in shape and form depending on the season and flow of the river. The better hot pools are usually on the far side of the Clackamas River. If you’re lucky, friendly Russians can usually be found during the warm season that are known to offer free transportation across the river via inflatable raft and pull rope.
Austin is known for random hot water bursts of 200+ degrees so please use extreme caution when soaking. A waterproof digital thermometer is highly recommended when trying to find the most optimal soak at Austin. We’ve got a couple thermometers in the store along with a few guidebooks.
Clothing Optional: Yes, usually there is a mix of both
Season: Summer and Fall (Forest Service Road not maintained during winter, Spring runoff submerges pools)
Type: Roadside/Short Hike/River Ford
Fees: None
Pit Toilet: No
Closest Food/Gas: Estacada
View Complete Listing for Austin Hot Springs
Bagby Hot Springs – 2 Hours Drive From Portland
Frequently referred to as a Portlander rite of passage, Babgy hot springs is Oregon’s most popular public hot springs. A 1.5-mile hike through a tranquil old growth forest leads to a variety of hot pools and soaking options at Bagby hot springs. Ease your tired muscles into a hollowed out log filled with hot water in private or enjoy a soak with friends old and new in a whiskey barrel style hot tub.
If you are up for backpacking, there’s an actual backpacker campground just a quarter mile past the hot springs. That is if you don’t feel like camping at the trailhead. Bagby is rare in that is it available for a hot soak 24/7 while the majority of public hot springs in Oregon are closed at night.
Clothing Optional: Yes
Season: All (Forest service road not maintained during winter)
Type: Roadside/Short Hike/River Ford
Fees: $5/person
Pit Toilet: Yes
Closest Food/Gas: Estacada
View Complete Listing for Bagby Hot Springs
Breitenbush Hot Springs – 2.25 Hours Drive From Portland
Breitenbush features abundant hot soaking pools, overnight accommodations, a vegetarian buffet and access to yoga and meditation programs. Add to that a 150-acre wildlife sanctuary, 20 miles of trails, campgrounds, dorms, a conference center and even a gift shop. All of which add up to the largest private geothermal facility in the Pacific Northwest.
From spiral tubs to meadow hot pools under the wide-open sky, Breitenbush maintains a variety of soaking options and temperatures. Interested in visiting this amazing natural hot spring? You’ll need to make a reservation oftentimes well in advance.
Clothing Optional: Yes
Season: All (check road conditions during winter)
Type: Roadside
Fees: $22-$38 per adult on a sliding scale
Pit Toilet: Yes
Closest Food/Gas: Detroit
View Complete Listing for Breitenbush Hot Springs
Hot Springs 2-3 Hours Drive From Portland
- Bigelow Hot Springs – 2.5 hours from Portland, Public, Single Pool, No fee, Close to Eugene
- Belknap Hot Springs Resort – 2.75 hours from Portland, Private, Overnight accommodations, Close to Eugene
- Cougar/Terwilliger Hot Springs – 3 hours from Portland, Public, Multiple Pools, Closed at night, Close to Eugene