Paulina Lake Hot Springs
Checked October 2026 · Sources
Paulina Lake Hot Springs is a $5 wild soak in the Deschutes National Forest, Oregon, about 58 minutes' drive from Bend: 90 to 115 F water, a 1.38-mile walk from the nearest road, snow likely October to April.
- $5
- Wild
- Walk 1.38 mi
about 58 min
39.1 mi from Bend, no traffic
Drive times computed with GraphHopper; map data OpenStreetMap contributors.
The facts
- Water
- 90 to 115 F, quoted:
"ranging from comfortably warm 90 degrees to pleasantly hot 115 degrees Fahrenheit."
Quoted from visitbend.com, checked Oct 12, 2026 - Walk
- 1.38 miles one way from the nearest roadComputed on an OpenStreetMap foot route · start 43.71817, -121.24157
- Fee
"Parking at this site requires a recreation pass. [Accepted passes include the] $5 Day Pass [and the] Northwest Forest Pass"
Quoted from Recreation.gov, checked Oct 12, 2026- Permit or reservation
- None posted by the agencyChecked on Recreation.gov, checked Oct 14, 2026
- Clothing
- Being publicly nude is prohibited on a national forest only when an order says so; the regulation lists it among the things a forest order can prohibit. Forest Service general rule
What the Forest Service says
Exact wording: Forest Service rules page.
- Dogs
"Pets must be leashed at all times."
Quoted from the Forest Service, checked Oct 12, 2026- Snow
- Likely October to AprilComputed from NOAA snowfall, 2023 to 2026 seasons
- Managed by
- USDA Forest Service, Deschutes National Forest
- Last checked
- October 2026
Trail and trailhead
Road access
- Distance
- 1.38 mile one wayComputed on an OpenStreetMap foot route
- Climb
- About 90 ft up and 100 ft down, one wayComputed from USGS 3DEP elevations at 27 points on our route, Oct 14, 2026 (rough)
- Start
- Road access43.71817, -121.24157
Water temperature
visitbend.com describes the pools as 90 to 115 F:
"ranging from comfortably warm 90 degrees to pleasantly hot 115 degrees Fahrenheit."
Quoted from visitbend.com, checked Oct 12, 2026
Fees and rules
Do you have to pay to go to Paulina Lake Hot Springs?
Yes.
"Parking at this site requires a recreation pass. [Accepted passes include the] $5 Day Pass [and the] Northwest Forest Pass"
Quoted from Recreation.gov, checked Oct 12, 2026
Do you need a permit or reservation for Paulina Lake Hot Springs?
None is posted. not posted
Checked on Recreation.gov, checked Oct 14, 2026
Clothing and dogs
Forest Service general rule Forest Service general rule: see The facts.
"Pets must be leashed at all times."
Quoted from the Forest Service, checked Oct 12, 2026
Seasons and winter access
Snow likely October to April at the spring.
Computed from NOAA snowfall, 2023 to 2026 seasons
Road and gate closures: check Forest Service alerts, Deschutes National Forest.
Before you go
- Fee: Parking at this site requires a recreation pass. [Accepted passes include the] $5 Day Pass [and the] Northwest Forest Pass
- No permit or reservation is posted.
- Snow likely October to April.
- Dogs: Pets must be leashed at all times.
- Check Forest Service alerts, Deschutes National Forest before you drive.
Getting there
Drive times from each town's center, no traffic (computed).
Both open at the start, the road access point, not at the pool.
Nearby hot springs (5)
All 10 hot springs in OregonPacific Northwest hot springs (36)
Questions
Is Paulina Lake Hot Springs free?
"Parking at this site requires a recreation pass. [Accepted passes include the] $5 Day Pass [and the] Northwest Forest Pass"Quoted from Recreation.gov, checked Oct 12, 2026
How long is the hike to Paulina Lake Hot Springs?
Is Paulina Lake Hot Springs clothing optional?
Can I bring my dog?
"Pets must be leashed at all times."Quoted from the Forest Service, checked Oct 12, 2026
Sources and last checked
Page last checked October 2026 (the oldest date below).
- visitbend.com/journal/paulina-lake-hot-springs: water temperatureChecked Oct 12, 2026
- recreation.gov/camping/poi/237093: feeChecked Oct 12, 2026
- fs.usda.gov/media/243688: dogsChecked Oct 12, 2026
- Walk: 1.38 mi, computed on an OpenStreetMap foot route (FOSSGIS routing, foot profile) from 43.71817, -121.24157Map data OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL
- Drive times from Bend, Crater Lake, Klamath Falls: computed with GraphHopper 11.1, car profile, no trafficOpenStreetMap extract of Oct 12, 2026
- Snow months (Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr): computed from NOAA snowfall, 2023 to 2026 seasonsMethod page explains the rule
- Climb: computed from USGS 3DEP elevations along our OpenStreetMap foot routeComputed Oct 14, 2026