Bigelow (Deer Creek) Hot Springs
- Free
- 1 hr 26 min from Bend
- Roadside
A single warm pool beside the McKenzie River just off Hwy 126 near Belknap, partly sheltered by a rock overhang. It is free, and it disappears under the river when flows are high, so late summer is the most reliable time. There are no facilities.
- Price
- Free
- Nearest town
- McKenzie Bridge
- From Bend
- 1 hr 26 min
- Hike (one way)
- Roadside
Plan your visit
Hours & season
| Season |
|
|---|
Tickets & booking
| Price | Free |
|---|---|
| Access | Free public access |
Rules
| Swimwear |
|
|---|
On site
| Pools | 1 |
|---|---|
| Lodging | No |
| Land manager | USFS |
Not stated by the land manager: ages, dogs.
Soak responsibly
- Pack out everything, including food scraps and toilet paper. Use WAG bags where required.
- No soap, shampoo or sunscreen in the pools; rinse away from the water.
- Check permits and closures with USFS before you go.
- Keep groups small and give others space. Respect posted dog and camping rules.
Water temperature
This venue doesn't publish pool temperatures.
What's here
- single riverside pool
- partly under a rock overhang
- warm rather than hot
- submerged when the McKenzie River runs high
- no facilities
Getting there
- From Bend1 hr 26 min66 mi
- From Redmond/Bend (RDM)1 hr 28 min65 mi
Typical driving time without traffic or snow.
| Elevation | 1,859 ft |
|---|---|
| Road | Just off McKenzie Hwy 126 near Belknap and Cougar |
Things to do near McKenzie Bridge
Campgrounds
- Olallie Campground1.4 mi
- Belknap Hot Springs Tent Sites3.4 mi
- Paradise Campground4.2 mi
- Limberlost Group Campground4.6 mi
Trailheads
- Lookout Creek West Trailhead5.2 mi
- Foley Ridge Trailhead8.4 mi
- Horsepasture Trailhead9.1 mi
- McKenzie Pass Trailhead12.4 mi
Straight-line distances. Campground and trailhead data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Nearby springs
Belknap Hot Springs Lodge & Gardens
A lodge on the McKenzie River with two hot spring soaking pools, gardens, cabins and tent and RV sites. Walk-in visitors pay $12 for one hour in the lower pool; the upper pool is reserved for overnight guests. Children under 5 are not allowed in the pool area.
Terwilliger (Cougar) Hot Springs
Four rock-lined pools step down a forested ravine off the Aufderheide Scenic Byway south of Blue River, from about 112F at the top to 85F at the bottom. The Forest Service charges $12 per person for two hours, and the site is day use only. Alcohol and pets are prohibited, and clothing is optional.
Wall Creek Warm Springs (Meditation Pool)
A single warm pool beside Wall Creek, reached by the level Warm Springs Trail #3582 through old-growth forest north of Oakridge. The Forest Service lists the pool at about 95°F, roughly 10 by 12 feet and 3 feet deep with a silty bottom. The trailhead is currently closed under the Cedar Creek Fire closure order.
Belknap Hot Springs Lodge & Gardens: 3 mi · Terwilliger (Cougar) Hot Springs: 14 mi · Wall Creek Warm Springs (Meditation Pool): 32 mi
Sources (1)
· checked November 2026
Prices, hours and rules are checked against the official site and land-agency pages. Spot something out of date? Let us know.