The storms are over, the roads are clear, and we just had to deal with a round of cold weather. It’s the perfect time to get out of town for a soak.
Here’s where to go warm up and relax, says Norther Emily of Wild Solitude Guiding:
(an hour-long drive)
It’s close to Portland and affordable. But there are downsides: It’s not a wild spring; you soak in a swimming pool or in clawfoot tubs. And you can’t visit the river from the property.
(2+ hours)
It’s an Oregon institution. You get fed delicious meals, you can take yoga or other classes, and it’s a scenic setting. Clothing is optional. The downside is it can be expensive.
(6 hours)
It’s an immaculately clean roadside motel that discovered a hot water geyser in their parking lot. It's used to feed a fountain for bathers. “The water is nice,” says Emily. “It's a nice temperature. It's not too hot, not too cold. It was lovely. You just can't beat it.” (The downside: it’s far.)
Emily also picked these wilderness spots:
- McCredie Hot Springs (close to 3 hours)
- Umpqua Hot Springs (4+ hours)
- Antelope Hot Springs (7+ hours)
And these are a couple more resorts she recommends:
- The Lodge at Hot Lake Springs (4+ hours)
- Summer Lake Hot Springs Resort (5+ hours)
🛑 Avoid These Hot Springs
Just as important, there are some popular hot springs you just should not visit, including two that are among the closest to Portland:
- Bagby: It’s closed.
- Austin: It’s closed and on tribal land.
- Terwilliger (also known as Cougar): Forest fires created a high risk of landslides in the area, so it’s potentially very dangerous. Avoid it for at least a couple of years.
What spots did we miss? What are your favorite places to go for a winter soak? Please email us.
