Extend Your Stay: A User’s Guide to Hot Springs in Central Oregon
Central Oregon’s volcanic history didn’t just give us mountains and crater lakes — it left a mosaic of geothermal seams that surface as hot springs. If you’re lingering after the Bend Yoga Festival, a soak can help slow your nervous system down, ease muscles, and turn your trip into something you’ll only find in Oregon.
This guide gives you addresses, travel directions from Bend, and estimated drive times, together with a sense of what kind of experience to expect.
Paulina Lake Hot Springs (closest to Bend)
What it is: Natural, undeveloped hot pools on the shore of Paulina Lake in the Newberry National Volcanic Monument.
Address: Deschutes National Forest — trailhead at Little Crater Campground / Paulina Lake Hot Springs area (no formal street address; use “Paulina Lake Hot Springs Trailhead, OR” in your GPS).
From Bend:
Drive ~25–35 miles south on US-97 toward La Pine and the Newberry Caldera. Turn left onto Paulina East Lake Road and follow it ~14 miles to Little Crater Campground/Hot Springs Trailhead.
Travel time: ~60–90 minutes from Bend.
What to expect: Free, primitive hot pools dug into the sandy bank where geothermal water mixes with cold lake water. Requires a short nature walk (trail options vary: short spur or longer loop). Seasonal access (often May–October).
Belknap Hot Springs (Resort + Gardens)
Address: 59296 N Belknap Springs Rd, McKenzie Bridge, OR 97413, USA.
Belknap Springs Resort and Gardens
From Bend:
Head west on US-20 toward Sisters/Santiam Pass. At Sisters, merge onto OR-126 W and follow signs along the McKenzie River toward Belknap Springs. Turn left onto Belknap Springs Rd; the springs are just down the road.
Travel time: ~2 hours from Bend.
What to expect: A developed resort setting with mineral hot spring pools, gardens, and optional overnight stays. Easy access with no hike required.
Breitenbush Hot Springs (Retreat & Soak)
Address: 53000 Breitenbush Rd, Detroit, OR 97342, USA.
Breitenbush Hot Springs
From Bend:
Take US-20 west toward Santiam Pass, then OR-22 west toward Stayton/Detroit. In Detroit, head north on Forest Service Rd (Breitenbush Rd) to the retreat entrance.
Travel time: ~1 hour 40 minutes to 2 hours by car from Bend.
What to expect: A holistic wellness center with geothermal pools, saunas, and structured retreats. Day use or overnight; reservations advised.
Terwilliger (Cougar) Hot Springs (Primitive Forest Pools)
Address/Location: Willamette National Forest near McKenzie Bridge (no formal street address; reach via Forest Service roads).
From Bend:
West on US-20 → OR-126 toward McKenzie Bridge → left onto Forest Service Rd 19 (Cougar Dam Rd) and then Aufderheide Dr to the signed parking area; ~0.4 mile easy trail to pools.
Travel time: ~2 hours (≈95 miles).
What to expect: Clothing-optional natural pools with a short trail—forewarned is forearmed! Warmest upper pools ~112 °F down to cooler lower pools. May be crowded on weekends.
Cougar (Terwilliger) Hot Springs — A Clothing-Optional Option
Tips for Planning
Before you go, check current conditions and road access. Some primitive springs require short hikes; bring more water than you think you’ll need, snacks, sturdy shoes, and respect public land etiquette. Natural areas around these springs are fragile — pack out what you pack in.
Soaking after festival days or hikes isn’t just luxurious — it’s a way to give your nervous system and muscles a bit of geological empathy. The water’s heat invites calm, which makes the journey part of the healing.
And natural hot springs can be an adventure in themselves!