Hot springs near Bend offer a relaxing and memorable experience. Let’s face it, soaking in a hot spring is one of the most unique outdoor activities.
Fortunately, there are some incredible central Oregon hot springs, including a handful of hot springs near Bend within a reasonable drive.
We love these hot springs in central Oregon (we try to get out and soak as often as we can) and we are excited to share our knowledge of nearby Bend hot springs with you.
So pack your towel and spirit for adventure and let’s explore the best hot springs near Bend!
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Hot Springs Near Bend Oregon: Overview
In this article, we’ll cover 8 of the closest and most magical hot springs near Bend.
These hot springs are both natural (undeveloped) and commercial (developed), but most in this list are undeveloped or partially developed.
These hot springs are within a day trip driving distance, ranging from 39 miles to 170 miles from Bend.
Of course, we think hot springs are better done as part of an overnight camping trip, especially if you want to get a sunset, night-time, or sunrise soak (highly recommended!).
The table below gives a high-level overview of the hot springs near Bend mentioned in this article.
| Hot Spring Near Bend | Distance From Bend | Type | Things We Like | Potential Drawbacks |
| Paulina | 39 miles | Natural | Closest hot spring to Bend. Lakeside setting. | Small pools. Likely need to dig out. |
| Crane | 160 miles | Commercial | Large soaking pool. Accommodation. | Remote. |
| Umpqua | 120 miles | Natural | Picturesque setting. Nice pools. Nearby campground. | Crowds. |
| McCredie | 87 miles | Natural | Picturesque setting. | Crowds. High water level. |
| Couger (Terwilliger) | 120 miles | Partially developed | Picturesque setting. | 2-hour soaking limit. |
| Breitenbush | 90 miles | Commercial | Welcoming vibes. Great food. | Recent forest fire impacts. |
| Bagpy | 170 miles | Partially developed | Unique soaking tubs. Nearby campground. | Remote. |
| Belknap | 70 miles | Commercial | Large soaking pool. | Less natural. |
Safety precautions: It is important to keep in mind that natural hot springs can be dangerous. In fact, they can burn you if the water temperature is not consistent. That said, the well-known ones are pretty safe.
Hot Springs Near Bend Oregon Map
Use this interactive map to discover the locations of the nearby Bend hot springs mentioned in this article. You can also expand the map to open it in a new window.
Heads up: We highly recommend you get this PNW hot spring guidebook. It is our favorite PNW hot spring resource, and we always have it with us when exploring!
Hot Springs Bend Oregon: Nearby Options
Let’s jump into each hot spring near Bend. We’ll cover the details you need to know to put these Oregon hot springs on your radar.
Paulina Lake Hot Springs
Distance from Bend: 39 miles
Type: Natural and undeveloped
Cost: Free
Paulina Lake Hot Springs are the closest hot springs to Bend. It takes about 50 minutes to drive to the trailhead, and an hour hike at least to the get to the springs.
Paulina Hot Springs is a series of small pools along the Northwest edge of Paulina Lake, located within the beautiful Newberry National Volcanic Monument. Park at Little Crater Day Use Site and hike the 2 miles (one way) to the hot springs.
The pools are usually at a good temperature for soaking, and the cold lake water is just a few steps away which makes for a perfect cold plunge.
These springs have a gravel bottom, and it is often helpful to bring a shovel to dig them out a bit, as they tend to be on the shallower side. Sometimes, there is even a shovel already there someone has left for this purpose.
Keep in mind: Because they are shallow and sometimes inconsistent, Paulina Lake Hot Springs certainly isn’t our favorite hot spring we have ever been to.
That said, we still have fun when we visit. Just don’t get your expectations up too much. Some of the other hot springs on this list offer a more ideal soaking experience.
Be aware: in the winter the road to Paulina Lake is closed at Ten Mile Sno Park. We do not recommend trying to access the springs in the winter, because the water level of the lake is too high.
Local Tip: Spend a night at Little Crater Campground and make the hike out to Paulina Lake Hot Springs for a sunset or sunrise soak. Also, learn more about Paulina Lake in our full article about the Newberry National Volcanic Monument.
Crane Hot Springs Oregon
Distance from Bend: 160 miles
Type: Commercial and developed
Cost: Paid
Crane Hot Springs is a commercial hot spring located in Burns Oregon, about 2.5 hours east of Bend.
As somewhat of hot-spring purists, we typically prefer natural hot springs, but we have to admit commercialized hot springs do have a lot to offer.
Crane Hot Springs has a massive public soaking pool, and the water temperature is perfect. In fact, you can get closer to the fountain (the source) if you want hotter water or drift further away for a more sustainable temperature.
The 9,000 square foot soaking pond never feels crowded because it’s so large. It’s really nice to be able to spread out, but you can also chit chat with others if you do want to be social.
For a more private experience, you can enjoy a private cedar bathhouse which can be rented by the hour. These private tubs can usually fit 2 adults comfortably, and the water temperature can be adjusted.
One of our favorite parts about Crane Hot Springs is the various types of accommodation, including suites, cabins, RV sites, and tent camping.
Local tip: We highly recommend an overnight stay. It makes the experience so much more immersive and if you get lucky you might enjoy an epic sunset, sunrise, and night under the starts.
Umpqua Hot Springs Oregon
Distance from Bend: 120 miles
Type: Natural and undeveloped
Cost: Free
Umpqua Hot Springs Oregon is a magical set of pools cascading down a rocky hillside above the North Umpqua River. The trailhead is just off of Highway 138 and is about a 2-hour drive from Bend.
There are several individual pools with ranging temperatures, but all are suitable for soaking.
In fact, the cascading nature of these pools are quite picturesque, and the scenery of the river below and surrounding forest adds to the ambiance.
When the pools are not crowded, Umpqua Hot Springs are simply magical.
However, this excellent natural hot spring has become popular in recent years and is now often crowded, sometimes with people of a rowdier nature than we prefer.
During summer, you can park quite close to the hot springs (albeit this requires a bit of a drive on a dirt road). However, in the winter, you must park further away and hike in about 2 miles.
Local Tip: To beat the crowds, we recommend going in winter. If you want the springs to yourself, go early in the morning on a weekday. We like camping at the Toketee Lake Campground. Also, don’t miss the epic Toketee Falls and other waterfalls in this area.
Please check out our full article about Umpqua Hot Springs. Also, watch our video below for a complete guide.
McCredie Hot Springs Oregon
Distance from Bend: 87 miles
Type: Natural and undeveloped
Cost: Free
McCredie Hot Springs is located near Oakridge, about 87 miles from Bend along Highway 58. This hot spring has several soakable pools on both sides of Salt Creek.
Local tip: When we visited, we liked the pools on the south side of the creek the best. To access these, drive across the creek on NF-5857, then take a right and look for a trail.
As is the case with many river-side hot springs, some of the pools can be too cold to soak when the water level is high in the spring. During most of the year, however, the temperature is quite pleasant.
As with many accessible hot springs, this one can get crowded. We recommend going during the week for the best chance at an experience approaching solitude.
Local Tip: Explore the town of Oakridge while you are nearby. The 3 Legged Crane Pub and Brewhouse is a great stop for lunch or dinner!
Cougar Hot Springs Oregon (aka Terwilliger Hot Springs Oregon)
Distance from Bend: 120 miles
Type: Natural, partially developed, actively managed
Cost: Paid
Cougar Hot Springs, also called Terwilliger Hot Springs, is an actively managed hot spring that requires a day use fee. In fact, the springs can only be accessed during the day.
Reservations are on a first come first serve basis and you can pay the day use fee when you arrive. Up to 50 people are allowed in at a time and a 2-hour limit is required.
It does cost $10 per person for 2 hours of soaking. However, this is better than the alternative of overcrowding and trash ruining such a special area.
There are four soaking pools cascading down the hill. They are partially built up with rocks to ensure structural stability.
Local tip: The springs are closed on Thursdays between 8 am to 12 pm for cleaning.
Make sure you check out the official Forest Service webpage for more information.
Breitenbush Hot Springs Oregon
Distance from Bend: 90 miles
Type: Commercial and developed
Cost: Paid
Breitenbush Hot Springs is a commercial hot spring located 90 miles from Bend near Detroit Oregon. The vibes at Breitenbush are spectacular! The pools are well-maintained and clean.
Operations at Breitenbush date back to the 1970s. Today, it is the largest privately owned geothermal facility in the Pacific Northwest, with over 100 buildings heated by geothermal. There is a rich history of these hot springs that make visiting extra special.
There are three ways to experience the magic of Breitenbush Hot Springs
- Day use
- Personal retreats
- Workshops and special weekends
Day use passes provide full access to the springs and sauna from 9 am to 6 pm. You can also pay extra to enjoy their delicious vegetarian lunch buffer.
Personal retreats allow you to stay overnight at one of their variety of lodging types and grants 24 hours access to the springs and the sauna. Meals are included as well.
For a more immersive experience, sign up for one of the workshops or special events like quiet weekends and women-only weekends. You can also get a massage.
Unfortunately, a wildfire in 2020 destroyed almost everything on the land. Since then, they have started to rebuild, but the rebuilding process is ongoing. Support them by visiting!
Local Tip: Check out one of the fun hikes on the west side of Mt. Jefferson such as the Pamela Lake Trail.
Bagby Hot Springs
Distance from Bend: 170 miles
Type: Managed and developed
Cost: $5
Bagpy Hot Springs is located 170 miles from Bend but expect the drive to take closer to 3.5 hours, as much of it on remote roads.
The hot springs are in a remote location on a tributary of the Clackamas River, way off of the nearest highway.
That said, they have been improved and bathhouses with soaking tubs are in place rather than a natural pool.
The same fire in 2020 that affected Breitenbush had taken its toll on Bagby as well. Combined with vandalism, this site was closed to the public until recently.
However, the USFS has issued a permit to Bagby Preservation, Inc. to operate and manage these special hot springs.
Stay tuned to the Bagby Preservation updates webpage for the most current information. As of writing this in November 2024, it appears that the hot springs and campground are open.
Be sure to bring $5 in cash for the soaking fee. The trail to the springs is about 1.4 miles. Make sure you read the official USFS page as well before you go.
Belknap Hot Springs Oregon
Distance from Bend: 70 miles
Type: Commercial and developed
Cost: Paid
Belknap Hot Springs is a commercial Oregon resort hot springs with developed pools and accommodation. Stay in one of their lodge rooms, cabins, RV sites, or tent sites.
The soaking pool is an actual pool, which perhaps detracts from a more natural experience. On the upside, the water is quite clean, and you get to stay right next to the river.
In addition to the hot springs, there are some nice gardens and trails on the property, which makes spring an excellent time to visit and see the vibrant plants.
Overall, Belknap Hot Springs in Oregon is a great choice for an experience at an Oregon hot springs resort.
FAQ
What are the closest hot springs to Bend Oregon?
The closest hot spring to Bend is Paulina Lake Hot Springs, which is about 40 miles from Bend.
Does Bend Oregon have hot springs?
There are no hot springs in Bend or within 30 miles of Bend, but there are hot springs within a reasonable drive for a day trip. That said, making it an overnight trip will extend your options.
What are the hot springs in Oregon with cabins?
Crane Hot Springs, Breitenbush Hot Springs, and Belknap Hot Springs all have a variety of accommodation options. These are all great options for an Oregon hot springs resort.
Other Hot Springs Resources
We highly recommend you check out this guidebook for hot springs in the Pacific Northwest. This book is our number one resource for exploring PNW hot springs.
For weather forecasts, we recommend using NOAA’s national weather service. For example, here is the forecast for the Paulina Hot springs area. You can click anywhere on the map.
To stay up to date with road closures and conditions, be sure to use ODOT’s TripCheck site.
Conclusion
We hope you found this guide to hot springs near Bend helpful! We hope you enjoy exploring these nearby Bend hot springs.
Feel free to check out our other articles about central Oregon. We have tons of articles to help you explore all over the PNW.
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As always, be sure to leave no trace when adventuring outdoors. Happy roaming!
