Oregon's Most Picturesque Hot Springs Offer Ultimate Relaxation With Majestic Views

When it comes to outdoor attractions in the U.S., it's hard to top Oregon, especially for lovers of fresh water. From this stunningly clear, under-the-radar lake to an enchanting cascade with scenic hiking trails, there's something for anyone who enjoys a good, refreshing plunge. This also goes for hot springs, as — given the prevalence of volcanic terrain — the Beaver State is home to some of the best in the country. Oregon's incredible geographic variety also means that no two springs are alike. Whether you seek primitive pools next to a fast flowing river, wish to soak your cares away in high desert country, or want to slip into these bubbling tubs situated deep in a national forest, there are plenty of options to choose from.  

The thermal pools sprinkled throughout the state offer not just deep relaxation and renewal, but are often located in spots of arresting wild beauty, where a soul-stirring vista just comes with the price of admission (which is often free). Some are easy to access — with good infrastructure and well-maintained parking areas — while others are remote, raw, and undeveloped, sometimes requiring a steep and arduous hike in. Whatever your preference, the following list is just a slice of the hot spring bliss Oregon has on tap. Hopefully it inspires you to get out there, where you can slide into a steaming pool and soak up not just the thermal goodness, but also the incredible views.

Situated deep in the Oregon Cascades, Breitenbush Hot Springs offers the experience of a commercial resort combined with untouched natural surroundings. The resort specializes in off-the-grid-style retreats, which means electricity and cell service are limited. When it comes to soaking, the complex's Spiral Tubs are located just behind the main lodge, or you can lose yourself in one of three, rock-lined Sacred Meadow Pools that provide stunning views of the nearby Breitenbush River and deep forest that the complex calls home. There is also a natural geyser-fed sauna situated in its own cedar outbuilding. It fits up to 12 people and comes with an invigorating cold water tub.

Breitenbush is open for both day use and overnight stays. It's an ideal spot for personal wellness resets, and also offers massage service and hosts workshops. The property features regular and platform tent camping sites, as well as private lodge rooms and yurts. Guests can also dine at the lodge's organic vegetarian buffet, and enjoy night soaks under a shimmering canopy of stars. Reservations are recommended. Breitenbush Hot Spring is a two-hour-plus drive from Portland, much of which is on a rugged forest service road, so plan accordingly and take it slowly.

The three pools that make up this picturesque spot sit perfectly terraced on a limestone cliff overlooking the cool swift flow of the Umpqua River. The idyllic location and layout makes them arguably the most Instagrammable of Oregon's hot springs, and believe us when we tell you that the competition is fierce.

The spring emerges from a flow at the top that cascades down the cliff face, making the highest pool the hottest and the lowest the coolest, with a temperature range of 100 to 115 degrees Fahrenheit. Surrounded by the bucolic greenery of the Umpqua National Forest, these hot springs offer one of the best combinations of scenery, aesthetics, and soul-quenching nature vibes found in Oregon, making them a must-visit for any hot springs aficionado.

While — at just 0.3 miles — the trail that accesses Umpqua Hot Springs is not long, it's incredibly steep and rough, making sturdy footwear (preferably hiking shoes) a must. Also, like a lot of hot springs in Oregon, Umpqua is clothing optional, so don't be surprised if you're exposed to more than just jaw-dropping views of the river and forest around you, and get there early to avoid the crowds. Umpqua Hot Springs makes a good stop off when visiting this national park that's home to the deepest lake in the United States.

These unique and utterly scenic hot springs are nestled on the sandy shore of Paulina Lake — a breathtaking, crystalline gem in the Deschutes National Forest about 40 miles south of the city of Bend, which is an excellent destination for fun fall outdoor adventures. The lake sits directly beneath the dramatic rocky rise of the Newberry Volcano, and the steaming geothermal water seeps up from the ground, filling a few shallow pools dug out from the sand. The hot springs' scalding temperatures are tempered by cool lake water, making them bearable for soaking. The temperatures range from 90 to 115 degrees, and you can make yourself at one with your surroundings while enveloped in pure hot water rising from deep within the caldera.

The hot springs at Paulina Lake can be accessed via the Hot Spring Spur Trail — a 2.4-mile out-and-back over flat terrain, though the longer 7.5-mile Paulina Lake Hot Springs Trail takes you around the whole of the lake and is well worth the time. As for the pools, they typically only fit a single person at a time, and are best visited mid-May through early October. In early spring, high water levels submerge most or all of the pools, and in the late fall they may become too shallow to soak in. The pools are great in the winter, but the road into Paulina Lake isn't plowed, so you can only get there via ski, snowshoe, or snowmobile.

While western Oregon is green and lush, the opposite side of the state is high desert country, with sweeping vistas, deep canyons, and otherworldly rock formations galore. Situated just a stone's throw from the Idaho state line, Snively Hot Springs highlights the colorful splendors found in Oregon's arid east, with an idyllic location in the Owyhee River Canyon.

These primitive hot springs emerge from the ground at a sizzling 190 degrees before mixing with cold river water in one of several rock-ringed pools. As you soak, you can marvel at the multichromatic rise of the canyon wall on the other side of the river. The area is also flush with wildlife, including raptors, bighorn sheep, and mule deer — not to mention rattlesnakes — so watch where you step.

Make sure to check the temperature of the pools before you get in, as there's no natural regulation and be sure to head out before dark: Snively Hot Springs are open only from sunrise to sunset, and the site is monitored by both the Bureau of Land Management and local sheriff's department. While the springs are just a short jaunt from the parking lot, the last stretch of road is bumpy, rutted, and rough, so take it slowly and make sure you vehicle has plenty of clearance.

When compiling this list of Oregon's most picturesque hot springs, we wanted the picks to emphasize the stunning variety of the state's landscape. Two of the hot springs — Breitenbush and Umqua — are situated deep in the verdant forestland that Oregon is famous for, while the Paulina Lakes and Snively hot springs are situated in the more arid central and eastern parts of the state. Each place had to feature amazing vistas, and we also wanted to include at least one site that was a fully-developed resort.

We also looked at other lists of Oregon's best hot springs and cross-checked them with sites such as Tripadvisor to see how these compilations played out with real-life reviews. Finally, we relied on our own expertise. The author of this piece was born and raised in the Pacific Northwest and has personally been to two of the sites on this list, while also having traveled to all four corners of Oregon, which is certainly one of the country's great outdoor gems. For more of Oregon's dizzying natural wonder, head out on this scenic road trip highlighting its top attractions.