Located 50 miles southeast of Eugene and 8 miles east of Oakridge, McCredie Hot Springs features several hot spring-fed pools adjacent to the Willamette Pass Highway on both sides of Salt Creek.
There are typically 2-4 shallow and wide, rock-walled and silt-bottomed pools optimal for soaking during a given visit based on the season.
Pool temperatures are well known to fluctuate, be careful and consider using a thermometer before jumping in!
From 1914 to 1958, McCredie was the former site of a resort, baseball team and bordello. McCredie lies within the boundaries of the Willamette National Forest along the north and south banks of Salt Creek (a Willamette River tributary).
There is a small paved parking lot and restroom on-site. McCredie hot springs cost $5/vehicle and are day use only. Clothing is optional and nighttime closure is enforced.
Please make sure to pack out what you pack in, including any other trash you might find in order to keep this precious natural resource free and safe for generations to come.
Overnight Lodging
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McCredie Hot Springs Map and Directions
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From Oakridge, take Oregon State Route 58 east 8 miles to the signed hot springs parking area located near Blue Pool Campground and milepost 46. To reach the pools on the far (south) side of Salt Creek drive a half-mile east of the parking lot and take Shady Gap Road across the creek. After crossing the bridge park in any of the pullouts and follow an unnamed trail up the bank to the south side pools.
McCredie Hot Springs Video
Salt Creek & McCredie Hot Springs
McCredie hot springs near Oakridge, OR.
McCredie Hot Springs Soak Stats:
Season: All (check roads during winter – frequent closures)
Type: Short Hike/Roadside
GPS: 43.708 122.288
Map Quad: OAKRIDGE 15 or Willamette National Forest Map
Elevation: 2,100
Land: Willamette National Forest
Fee: $5/vehicle
Restrictions: Nighttime closure
Usage: High
Visibility: Moderate
Temp: 130 (at cinder block source)
Water Clarity: Murky
Odor: n/a
pH: n/a
Area Features: Hills Creek Lake
Closest Food/Gas: Oakridge/Eugene
Trash: Moderate
Bugs: Moderate-High (seasonally)
Wildlife: Moderate
Camping: Nearby at Blue Pool Campground, no on-site
Clothing Optional: Yes
Pit Toilet: Yes
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As a camp host at Blue Pool (just before McCredie Hot Springs), it was quite apparent last summer that the last major flood of Salt Creek washed out several of the soaking pools that were once at McCredie. It would be a great thing if a few folks would volunteer to rehab one or two of the old pools, but I don’t know if the Forest Service would allow it. I, for one, would be happy to do some work there.
Interested in helping out, new to Oregon but veteran of southwest hotpools, what would it take to rehab these pools? perhaps large rocks to create a more solid pool? i guess some concrete might help, not sure how accessible these pools are. Will explore them soon…
went there few nights ago. Great spot, never bumped into any creeps and it was at night! Recommended to bring along a few friends. It’s so off the grid and cell service is spotty, please let a few friends know you’re going there before you go. If you go at night, bring a headlamp.
I would be happy to pitch in and help too. Let’s get a group together.
Pam Goad, how do I find out about camping at Blue Pool?
Looking at comments above, have some of the pools been resurrected? Worth the trip to find out? Thinking of planning a camping trip at Blue Pool around soaking, but less interested if its overrun by the river (and tweaky creepers). Anybody been in the last few weeks? Curious which access point Nabisco used.
Nabisco u go offen? Maybe we can go sometime
I went there with a friend a few days ago and ended up having a very scary experience. All was fine and good until we packed up to leave. On the trail back to the parking lot, I spotted a man standing on the ledge overlooking the trail, masturbating in full view as we walked by. My friend and I were the only ones around (aside from another man bathing in the pools across Salt Creek). When we saw the man, we sprinted the rest of the way to the car, only to find that we were the only car in the lot. We couldn’t help but wonder where this man came from, and if he was chasing us. We got away without further incident. It was a very scary experience, and would not recommend going there alone. This has always been a relaxing place to come, but I don’t know if I will ever return. Just keep your wits about you, and travel in groups.
So sad. In the early 1950s there was an actual swimming pool that my family and I had the pleasure of using often during summer months when we were in the area. Unfortunately, it was wiped out during a flood by Salt Creek rising into the park.
Visited today August 29th 2016
There are several shallow pools with active hot water bubbling…they all need built up again. However, across the river is a knee deep family sized pool that is wonderful! If you dont want to wade across the river, I believe there is a trail access from blue pool campground .5 miles away.
Are dogs allowed around the springs? Of course won’t bring him in the water, but just wondering.
of course you can bring your dogs as long as theyre friendly towards people and other dogs! sure no one would mind if they even hopped in the spring to soak too (:
Hey all! Has anyone been out there lately? Would you advise going there in winter?
I must apologize to the folks who commented here about being willing to help rebuild the hot springs. Summer camp hosting at Blue Pool was very busy this year so forgive me for not responding sooner. To Mary, who was interested in camping at Blue Pool, you would be most welcome! Blue Pool is one of the few campgrounds left that is first come, first served. We have 23 campsites, all but two are on Salt Creek or just above it, with easy access to the creek. Blue Pool itself was pretty much decimated several years ago in a flood (guessing it was the ’96 flood which washed out the bridges into Oakridge and Westfir.) It is still swimmable and has a nice little rapids great for tubing so fun for the kids (and us bigger kids).
The campground can handle small RVs, campers and trailers, plus lots of spaces just for tents. We do have one large space that will accommodate one large motor home (up to 40′) but there are no hookups to power or water. We have pit toilets, but they are in concrete buildings and we keep them sparkling clean and well stocked. There is water available to the campsites from our well system. The campground has no access for boats (the creek is too shallow for all but kayaks) and no ATVs so it is very quiet, other than the sounds of kids at play. There is over a mile of paved roadway in the campground for biking, rollerblading, or just walking, a big meadow with a horseshoe pit, and some pretty decent trout fishing in Salt Creek.
The campground will open the weekend before Memorial Day and Tom and I will be up there the week before that getting things ready for our opening. If folks are still interested in possibly doing some work at the hot springs, I’ll talk to the Forest Service and see if they’d permit us to rebuild one or two of the soaking areas. Or we just meet up there and go do it on our own. The Forest Service isn’t real cooperative with efforts to “restore” anything on the creek, including Blue Pool…I’ve tried, but I’m not giving up. The resource is there and needs to be maintained; otherwise, why have it? Also, as of October, 2016, the hot springs were still free. You can’t really charge for something that you don’t maintain AT ALL, unlike Cougar Hot Springs on the McKenzie, which is well maintained.
Anyone who’d like more information on Blue Pool Campground or the hot springs, please contact me at pjlebert49@gmail.com. I’ll answer any questions I can….
Planning a visit next week! Anyone been here as of late? Just wondering what the conditions are? Thanks!