About this campground
As you walk the 1/4 mile trail to this clothing optional hot springs, you are enveloped in the dark hues of primeval woodland, touched by mottled light filtering down from treetops high above and the invigorating scene of the lagoon with the gorgeous Rider Creek waterfall spilling into it. There are six soaking pools spaced apart by rock walls laid out in steps down a ravine. Temperatures range from 85 degrees in the lower pool to 112 degrees in the upper pool. The pools are 3-12 feet across and an average of 2-3 feet deep. The pool floors are mostly bedrock but some gravel, sand and debris remain at the bottom of the pool. If you do visit this popular hot springs, please preserve the experience for you and for future visitors by observing the following: There is no alcohol allowed, the hot springs are for day use only and camping is restricted to developed campgrounds in the Cougar Recreation Area.
Getting there
Road conditions may change rapidly and visitors should use extreme caution when traveling on Aufderheide Scenic Byway (Forest Road 19), especially in the winter. This road is not maintained for snow and ice and travel is at your own risk. FROM HIGHWAY 126: From Blue River, OR, travel 4 miles east on Highway 126 to Aufderheide Scenic Byway (Forest Road 19). Continue on south Aufderheide Drive, taking a right at the Y to the top of Cougar Reservoir. Continue south on Aufderheide Drive for 5 miles to Terwilliger Hot Springs parking lot. FROM HIGHWAY 58: Take Westfir Road across from the Middle Fork Ranger Station and turn left at the stop sign. Continue to the red covered bridge. Go past the bridge and the road becomes Aufderheide Drive (Forest Road 19). Continue on Aufderheide Scenic Byway for about 50 miles until you reach the Terwilliger Hot Springs parking lot.
Activities
- HIKING
- SWIMMING
Nearby federal campgrounds
- Terwilliger (Cougar) Hot Springs TrailheadWillamette National Forest0 mi
- SLIDE CREEKWillamette National Forest1 mi
- Cougar Crossing CampgroundWillamette National Forest2 mi
- COUGAR CROSSING CAMPGROUNDWillamette National Forest2 mi
- SUNNYSIDE CAMPGROUNDWillamette National Forest2 mi
- FRENCH PETE CAMPGROUNDWillamette National Forest3 mi
Explore more Oregon camping
Terwilliger (Cougar) Hot Springs doesn't take campsite reservations — but plenty of nearby Oregon campgrounds do, and we'll alert you the moment a sold-out site opens up.
Browse Oregon camping →Details from Recreation.gov's official RIDB catalog. Conditions change — confirm with the managing office before you go. Not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.