There is a special kind of Oregon happiness that comes from sitting in hot mineral water while your nose turns pink from the cold. Winter is when these soaks make the most sense, because the chill makes the warm water even better. This list covers seven hot springs across the state, from high desert ponds to forest pools you reach on foot.
Some have cabins and bathhouses, and some are wild spots in the national forest, so save this one and pick your adventure.
1. Crane Hot Springs, Burns
Out on Highway 78, about as far from city traffic as Oregon gets, a hot springs pond steams against the open high desert. Crane Hot Springs, often called Crystal Crane, sits at 59315 OR-78 outside Burns.
The big draw is the pond itself, with private soaking tubs as a second option. On a cold morning, stepping out into the dry desert air and watching steam lift off the water is the whole reason to come.
Lodging keeps things simple and a little quirky. You can book rustic cabins, cottages, or even a teepee, which makes an overnight trip easy in a part of the state where towns are spread far apart.
I like this stop for a winter road trip through Harney County. Many guests return year after year in the cold months, and the staff has a reputation for being friendly and welcoming.
Hours run daily from 7 AM to 10 PM. Call ahead at 541-493-2312 to check on tubs or lodging.
2. Summer Lake Hot Springs, Summer Lake
A bathhouse from the 1920s is still the heart of this Oregon Outback stop at mile marker 92 on Highway 31. That history gives Summer Lake Hot Springs a different personality from the newer resorts on this list.
Here you get a choice. Soak indoors in the old bathhouse, or head outside to the stone hot tubs and let the cold desert air hit your face while the rest of you stays toasty.
The cabins and cottages are part of the fun. They are finished with repurposed materials, giving them a kitschy, homemade look, and they are kept clean and well stocked.
There is no full restaurant on site, so plan meals ahead. A food truck and showers help round things out for overnight guests.
Big skies and very little light pollution make the outdoor tubs a fine place to linger after dark.
3. Breitenbush Hot Springs Retreat and Conference Center, Detroit
Snowflakes landing on warm water might be the best version of Breitenbush. This off-grid retreat in the forest east of Detroit has several soaking pools that vary in size, shape, and temperature.
The geothermal water does more than fill the pools. It also heats the cabins and a sauna, which is a neat bit of engineering for a place that runs off the grid.
Wildfire hit the area hard, and the landscape still shows it. Newer yurts, cabins, and bathroom buildings have replaced older ones, and the pools remain the main attraction.
Meals are vegetarian, with vegan and gluten-free options available. Yoga and meditation sessions add to the retreat side of things.
Know before you go: the pools are clothing-optional, and parking is paid. This is a quiet, slow-down kind of place, best for folks who want to unplug.
4. Alvord Hot Springs Bath House & Campground, Princeton
Few soaking views match a flat, empty playa stretching toward the horizon. Alvord Hot Springs sits along East Steens Road with the Alvord Desert spread out in front of it.
There are two pools fed straight from the spring. One is enclosed for shelter from the wind, and the other is open to the sky, with adjustable temperatures.
That open pool is the star on a cold night. Clear desert skies make stargazing from the water a big part of the appeal.
Camping and bunker-style lodging are available if you want to stay, and the bathrooms are kept clean. There is no restaurant, so bring food.
Hours are 8 AM to 8 PM daily, and parking is paid. Weekends get busiest in the afternoon, while midweek mornings are the quietest time to visit.
5. Umpqua Hot Springs
Picture tiered pools stacked down a hillside above a rushing river, and you have Umpqua Hot Springs. It sits on forest land near Idleyld Park along the North Umpqua.
A short hike gets you there. Once you arrive, about ten pools step down the slope, ranging from hot to cool, so you can move around until you find your favorite.
Brave soakers can use a rope beside the pools to reach the river for a cold plunge. That hot-and-cold swing is part of the fun here.
Winter soaks work even when temperatures drop below 20 degrees. A short dip can keep you warm for a good part of the morning.
This is an undeveloped spot, and nudity is common. Go prepared for trail conditions.
6. Terwilliger Hot Springs
Ask Willamette Valley soakers for a forest favorite, and Terwilliger, also called Cougar Hot Springs, comes up fast. It sits in the Willamette National Forest near Blue River.
The pools are rustic rock basins stepped down a slope, with the springs draining into Rider Creek. Temperatures in the main pools run from about 96 to 108 degrees Fahrenheit.
Getting there takes a 5 to 10 minute walk from the parking lot along a creek. A small waterfall and a shelter for changing clothes are part of the setup, and staff are on hand.
I would save this one for a clear winter evening. Stargazing from the warm water under the forest canopy is a favorite way to end the day.
The springs are clothing-optional, so plan accordingly.
7. Kah-Nee-Ta Resort and Spa, Warm Springs
Not every cold-weather soak needs a hike or a gravel road. Kah-Nee-Ta, on Highway 8 in Warm Springs, offers a resort-style option on the Warm Springs Reservation.
The pools come in different temperatures, so you can hop between hot and cooler water. A lazy river adds a playful twist, with pool noodles for floating.
Late fall is a smart time to go. Climbing out of hot water into crisp November air is a contrast many guests come back for.
This riverside getaway also has an 18-hole golf course, an outdoor pool, and kayaking. That mix makes it an easy pick for families or groups with different ideas of fun.
Kah-Nee-Ta has a long history as a Central Oregon favorite, so seeing it welcoming soakers is good news. Call 541-553-1112 to check current pool access before driving.
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