Terwilliger (Cougar) Hot Springs
- From $12
- 85–112°F
- 2 hr 1 min from Bend
- 0.25 mi hike
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.
Burn area from the 2018 Terwilliger Fire: loose rock, debris flows and falling trees remain possible.
- Price
- From $12
- Water
- 85–112°F
- Nearest town
- Blue River
- From Bend
- 2 hr 1 min
- Hike (one way)
- 0.25 mi
Plan your visit
Hours & season
| Hours |
|
|---|---|
| Season |
|
Tickets & booking
| Price |
|
|---|---|
| Access | Day pass, walk-ins welcome |
| Booking |
|
| Time limit | 2 hours per visit |
Rules
| Swimwear |
|
|---|---|
| Ages | Under 12 free |
| Dogs | No |
On site
| Pools | 4 |
|---|---|
| Camping nearby | Yes |
| Land manager | USFS |
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
Soaking-pool temperatures as published by the venue or land agency; they vary with season and flow.
The pools
| Pool | Temp |
|---|---|
| Upper poolHottest, at the source. Pools 3-12 ft across, avg 2-3 ft deep. | 112°F |
| Lower poolCoolest of the four. | 85°F |
As published by the venue. Temperatures shift with the seasons and the weather.
What's here
- four rock pools stepped down a ravine
- Willamette National Forest
- day use only
- composting restrooms near the springs
- bottled water sold on site
- no alcohol
- no pets
Getting there
- From Bend2 hr 1 min88 mi
- From Eugene1 hr 28 min56 mi
- From Eugene (EUG)1 hr 41 min65 mi
Typical driving time without traffic or snow, to the closest road point; add the hike.
| Elevation | 1,707 ft |
|---|---|
| Road |
|
| Hike | 0.25 mi one way |
| Trail | Rider Creek Trail #3319, about 1/4 mile from the parking lot |
| Parking |
|
Things to do near Blue River
Cougar Reservoir Area
Reservoir and campgrounds on the South Fork McKenzie next to the hot springs.
Belknap Hot Springs Lodge & Gardens
Hot spring pools and gardens on the McKenzie River off Hwy 126.
Campgrounds
- Cougar dispersed camping1.2 mi
- French Pete Campground3.2 mi
- Indian Ridge Lookout5.4 mi
- Delta Campground5.9 mi
Trailheads
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.
Bigelow (Deer Creek) Hot Springs
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.
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: 12 mi · Bigelow (Deer Creek) Hot Springs: 14 mi · Wall Creek Warm Springs (Meditation Pool): 19 mi
Sources (3)
· 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.