The Ultimate Guide to Terwilliger Hot Springs
A post-hike toasty dip in forested hot springs is my favorite way to end the day. If that’s you too, you’re going to want to stick around. Below, I’m sharing everything there is to know about visiting Terwilliger Hot Springs–it’s an Oregon gem! Let’s get those feet wet!
Table of Contents
Hot Springs Etiquette
Shower beforehand, if possible. Hot springs are very delicate, and it's super easy to accidentally introduce foreign bacteria that can disrupt its delicate chemical balance. Showering before entering can help their long-term health.
Keep it down. We visit hot springs to relax, and while Rainbow Kitten Surprise is calming for you, your neighbor might not agree. Read the room.
Never use soap. Again, hot springs are very delicate, and any foreign substance can hugely alter its natural balance. This includes biodegradable soaps and shampoos!
Stay hydrated! Hot springs are, well, hot, and can cause serious dehydration if your'e not careful. It's important to drink lots of water to ward off those "fainting spells" hot springs are known to cast. When it's time to leave, get up slowly. I never visit a hot spring without my 34-oz reusable, insulated water bottle.
Leave the glass behind. Breaking glass is (hopefully) never intentional, but accidents happen, and when they do, it can be dangerous, and broken glass can be nearly impossible to see.
Avoid peak times. Overcrowded springs aren't fun for anyone–it increases the negative impact on the springs, increases the chance of COVID exposure, and you could end up without a spot. Try to visit on weekdays if possible, and mornings are always best.
Pay the fee. Terwilliger Hot Springs costs $7 per person (10 years old and over); there is also an annual pass available for $60.
Check road conditions. Wilderness springs, while amazing, can be pretty grueling to get to. Check to make sure the roads are open and the trail conditions before visiting. Safety first!
Pack out what you pack in. Hot springs see a lot of visitors, and we all have our little luxuries we like during a hot soak, but all of those cans, snack wrappers, and underwear (this is more common than you think) need to accompany you back home as well. Do your part, respect the land, treat it as if it were your own property, and keep it clean and pristine for future use.
Don't pee in the springs! Just like pools and hot tubs, peeing (or pooping) in public springs is so not okay. Pools at least have chlorine and a cleaning system in place. Hot springs are as natural as can be, and any foreign substance can throw it off balance. We all know hot water loves to test our bladders, so consider peeing before getting in. (Make sure to pack out your toilet paper too!)
Leave your fur puppies at home.
Camping is not allowed.
Leave it better than you found it!
Terwilliger Hot Springs at a Glance
Where is Terwilliger Hot Springs?: Willamette National Forest, Oregon
Fee: $7/person or $60 for the year.
Hours: Daylight only. Open sunrise to sunset.
Distance: 0.8 miles RT
Elevation: 90’
Toilets: Pit toilets in the parking lot (which is across the street from the trailhead).
Number of pools: 4
Water temperature: Between 85°F (29.4°C) and 112°F (44.4°C)
Clothing: Optional
Check AllTrails for current trail reports.
Note: The 2018 forest fire swept through this area devastating much of the natural landscape surrounding the pools. Flora and fauna are slowly reclaiming the land, but you may find it looks different than a lot of the images you’ll find on the internet.
How to Get to Terwilliger Hot Springs:
From Portland:
Take I-5 S from Portland and follow it for about 100 miles until you reach exit 194A for OR-126 E toward Springfield/Eugene.
Take exit 194A and merge onto OR-126 E. Follow OR-126 E for about 45 miles, passing through Springfield and Walterville.
Turn right onto Aufderheide Drive (Forest Road 19) near the McKenzie River Ranger Station. There is a sign for Cougar Reservoir and Terwilliger Hot Springs.
Continue south on Aufderheide Drive for 5 miles to Terwilliger Hot Springs parking lot. The parking lot is on the left side of the road and has a fee station and a vault toilet.
From the parking lot, walk across the road and follow the 0.4-mile trail to the hot springs. The trail is well-marked and easy to follow. You will cross a wooden bridge over Rider Creek and then reach the hot springs area.
From Bend:
Take US-20 W from Bend and follow it for about 65 miles until you reach Sisters.
Continue on US-20 W through Sisters and over the Santiam Pass.
Turn left onto OR-126 W at the junction near Belknap Springs. Follow OR-126 W for about 18 miles, passing through McKenzie Bridge.
Turn left onto Aufderheide Drive (Forest Road 19) near the McKenzie River Ranger Station. There is a sign for Cougar Reservoir and Terwilliger Hot Springs.
Continue south on Aufderheide Drive for 5 miles to Terwilliger Hot Springs parking lot. The parking lot is on the left side of the road and has a fee station and a vault toilet.
From the parking lot, walk across the road and follow the 0.4-mile trail to the hot springs. The trail is well-marked and easy to follow. You will cross a wooden bridge over Rider Creek and then reach the hot springs area.
GPS coordinates:
Trailhead Coordinates: 44.08386856275806, -122.23291283041254
Hot Springs Coordinates: 44.08323660495977, -122.23842745217146
Terwilliger Hot Springs
Know Before You Go
Don’t forget to check road and trail conditions before you go! You’ll take a paved forest road to get here, but snowstorms can often disrupt traffic (both on road and on the trail). Check road conditions here, and read up on recent trail reports on AllTrails.
Leave the glass and alcohol n the car. It’s not permitted in or around the pools for safety reasons.
There’s no cell service, so plan accordingly! I always download a trail map either on AllTrails or Gaia (you’ll need the Pro versions to download it for offline use).
It’s a clothing optional hot spring, so expect some nudity. If you’ve ever wondered what it feels like to be in your birthday suit in public, now’s your chance! It’s so freeing!!!
Where to Park
You’ll find a small parking lot on the east side of the road complete with two pit toilets. Use them before you go!
What Time Does Terwilliger Hot Springs Open?
Terwilliger Hot Springs is open during daylight hours (sunrise to sunset).
Is Terwilliger Hot Springs Free?
There’s a $7 per person fee for visitors 10 years and up, or if you’ll be visiting a few times throughout the year, consider the $60 annual pass. This fee helps keep the pools clean and pristine! Sometimes you’ll find a tenant manning the booth, but more often than not, you’ll be on the honor code. Please pay the fee to help maintain these areas, and bring the exact cash amount if possible. There’s a sign that says they accept credit cards but we couldn’t find anywhere to write our info, so we bit the bullet and paid a little extra since we didn’t have exact cash.
Is Terwilliger Hot Springs open in the winter?
Yes! It’s open year round, but navigating to these springs can be tough in the snow! Remember to check road conditions and trail reports before going just to be safe!
Two of Terwilliger Hot Springs’ platforms–use them to change + store your gear while you’re soaking!
How Long is the Hike to Terwilliger Hot Springs?
It’s a short and sweet 0.4 miles to the Springs with nearly no elevation. I walked it in Birks and a towel! At the end, you’ll find two platforms–one covered and one not–where you can change and store your belongings while enjoying the pools. There’s no privacy, so I wore my swimsuit under my clothes for the hike, and changed under a towel when it was time to leave. I also highly recommend a towel poncho if you don’t have one! I LOVE my Nomadix one!
Terwilliger Hot Springs
You’ll find four pools that cascade into each other–the top one is the hottest and they progressively cool down from there. We tried them all, but ended up getting the lowest one to ourselves, which was super comfortable on a summer afternoon! I could see how it might feel a little cold if you’re there in the winter, though!
The larger, hottest pool at the top was popular, and for that reason, there are no photos of it to respect everyone’s privacy. Guess you’ll just have to visit :)
Where to Stay Near Terwilliger Hot Springs
Camping is the best way to stay as close to these springs as possible. There are a couple campgrounds to choose from:
Slide Creek Campground: Located on the east side of the Cougar Reservoir, Slide Creek Campground is lakefront and beautiful! Guests have access to drinking water, vault toilets, a boat ramp, ample parking and a swimming beach. A separate parking lot is available for boat trailers. The campsites can accommodate tents, trailers or RVs and come equipped with campfire rings and picnic tables. Single campsites are $21 per night, multi-tent campsites are $40/night and extra vehicles are $9 each.
Cougar Crossing Campground: This is as close to the springs as you can get driving-wise (5-minute drive). Campsites have trail access to the river and pit toilets for $9/night.
Sunnyside Campground: We didn’t venture over here because there was a sketchy looking bus that looked like it’d been there much longer than the 14-day limit, but half of the sites are reservable online in advance and the other half are first-come, first-serve. Toilets, picnic tables, and a seasonal boat ramp is available. $17/night and $9/extra vehicle.
Loloma Lodge is the closest cozy option (just 12 minutes from the reservoir) and is a whole vibe. Book the historic Loloma Lodge itself (built in 1932), one of their four riverside cabins, or if it’s you and the fam, check out their “Little Log House” cabin, built in 1927.
What to Pack for Terwilliger Hot Springs
Swimsuit: I layer my one-piece under my clothes to get in the pool as fast as possible.
Water: My 32-oz Hydroflask follows me on all my hot springs adventures. Stay hydrated, friends! It’s SO important, especially when soaking in these toasty springs!
Microfiber towel: I love my Nomadix Ultralight towel for times like these! I’d also consider bringing a Nomadix towel poncho to make changing easier!
Snacks – Something fresh like an orange (pack out those peels!) tastes 10x better when enjoyed in a spring.
Z-mat: I throw my clothes on top of my Neo Switchback Pad to keep my clothes dry while soaking!
Spikes: If you’re visiting in fall or winter, this trail can get snowy, icy, and slippery. Spikes can make all the difference!
Wandrd Prvke Backpack: This backpack is water resistant and keeps my camera gear dry! It’s become my everything backpack–camera gear on the bottom in the camera cube, adventure gear in the top.
Trashbag: For your trash and others'!
** Don't forget to pack everything out with you!
Leave No Trace
Always remember to leave no trace–pack out what you pack in, leave what you find, prepare for every adventure, and respect the outdoors and each other every step of the way. Learn more about how to leave no trace here.
And if you do decide to venture out, drop a comment below or shoot me an email to tell me how it went!
Happy adventuring!
