Terwilliger Hot Springs
Checked October 2026 · Sources
Terwilliger Hot Springs is a $12 wild soak in the Willamette National Forest, Oregon, about 76 minutes' drive from Eugene: 111 F water at the source (1980 survey), a 0.32-mile walk from Terwilliger (Cougar) Hot Springs Trailhead, snow likely January to April.
- $12
- Wild
- Walk 0.32 mi
- No pets
about 76 min
56.8 mi from Eugene, no traffic
Drive times computed with GraphHopper; map data OpenStreetMap contributors.
The facts
- Water
- 111 F at the source, not the poolQuoted from the NOAA Thermal Springs List, checked Oct 11, 2026 (1980 survey), entry COUGAR RESERVOIR HOT SPRINGS
- Walk
- 0.32 miles one way from Terwilliger (Cougar) Hot Springs TrailheadComputed on an OpenStreetMap foot route · start 44.08362, -122.23292
- Fee
"Pass - $12 per person, per 2 hours (ages 12 and older)."
Quoted from the Forest Service, checked Oct 11, 2026- Permit or reservation
"No reservations available."
Quoted from the Forest Service, checked Oct 14, 2026- Clothing
"The following is prohibited: to park or possess an alcoholic beverage in restricted areas, be publicly nude visible from Forest Road 19, and to enter or use Terwilliger Hot Springs between 10 p.m."
Quoted from the Forest Service, checked Oct 11, 2026- Dogs
"No pets are allowed at the site/hot springs."
Quoted from the Forest Service, checked Oct 11, 2026- Snow
- Likely January to AprilComputed from NOAA snowfall, 2023 to 2026 seasons
- Managed by
- USDA Forest Service, Willamette National Forest
- Last checked
- October 2026
Trail and trailhead
Terwilliger (Cougar) Hot Springs Trailhead
The Forest Service says:
"Enjoy the 1/4 mile hike along the Rider Creek Trail (#3319) to the clothing optional hot springs."
Quoted from the Forest Service, checked Oct 14, 2026
- Distance
- 0.32 mile one wayComputed on an OpenStreetMap foot route
- Climb
- About 90 ft up and 30 ft down, one wayComputed from USGS 3DEP elevations at 15 points on our route, Oct 14, 2026 (rough)
- Start
- Terwilliger (Cougar) Hot Springs Trailhead44.08362, -122.23292
Water temperature
111 F at the source, from NOAA's Thermal Springs List (1980 survey). That is where the water leaves the ground; the pool you sit in is cooler.
Quoted from the NOAA Thermal Springs List, checked Oct 11, 2026 (1980 survey), entry COUGAR RESERVOIR HOT SPRINGS
Fees and rules
Do you have to pay to go to Terwilliger Hot Springs?
Yes.
"Pass - $12 per person, per 2 hours (ages 12 and older)."
Quoted from the Forest Service, checked Oct 11, 2026
Do you need a permit or reservation for Terwilliger Hot Springs?
"No reservations available."
Quoted from the Forest Service, checked Oct 14, 2026
Clothing and dogs
"The following is prohibited: to park or possess an alcoholic beverage in restricted areas, be publicly nude visible from Forest Road 19, and to enter or use Terwilliger Hot Springs between 10 p.m."
Quoted from the Forest Service, checked Oct 11, 2026
"No pets are allowed at the site/hot springs."
Quoted from the Forest Service, checked Oct 11, 2026
Seasons and winter access
Snow likely January to April at the spring.
Computed from NOAA snowfall, 2023 to 2026 seasons
Road and gate closures: check Forest Service alerts, Willamette National Forest.
Before you go
- Fee: Pass - $12 per person, per 2 hours (ages 12 and older).
- No reservations available.
- Snow likely January to April.
- Clothing: The following is prohibited: to park or possess an alcoholic beverage in restricted areas, be publicly nude visible from Forest Road 19, and to enter or use Terwilliger Hot Springs between 10 p.m.
- Dogs: No pets are allowed at the site/hot springs.
- Check Forest Service alerts, Willamette National Forest before you drive.
Getting there
Drive times from each town's center, no traffic (computed).
Both open at the start, Terwilliger (Cougar) Hot Springs Trailhead, not at the pool.
Camping near Terwilliger Hot Springs
Slide Creek Campground
Cougar Crossing Campground
Sunnyside Campground
French Pete Campground
"the hot springs are for day use only and camping is restricted to developed campgrounds in the Cougar Recreation Area. ... Slide Creek Campground ... Cougar Crossing Campground ... Sunnyside Campground ... French Pete Campground"
Quoted from the Forest Service, checked Oct 14, 2026
Nearby hot springs (5)
All 10 hot springs in OregonPacific Northwest hot springs (36)
Questions
Is Terwilliger Hot Springs free?
"Pass - $12 per person, per 2 hours (ages 12 and older)."Quoted from the Forest Service, checked Oct 11, 2026
How long is the hike to Terwilliger Hot Springs?
Is Terwilliger Hot Springs clothing optional?
"The following is prohibited: to park or possess an alcoholic beverage in restricted areas, be publicly nude visible from Forest Road 19, and to enter or use Terwilliger Hot Springs between 10 p.m."Quoted from the Forest Service, checked Oct 11, 2026
Can I bring my dog?
"No pets are allowed at the site/hot springs."Quoted from the Forest Service, checked Oct 11, 2026
Can you camp at Terwilliger Hot Springs?
"the hot springs are for day use only and camping is restricted to developed campgrounds in the Cougar Recreation Area. ... Slide Creek Campground ... Cougar Crossing Campground ... Sunnyside Campground ... French Pete Campground"Quoted from the Forest Service, checked Oct 14, 2026
Sources and last checked
Page last checked October 2026 (the oldest date below).
- ncei.noaa.gov/access/metadata/landing-page/bin/iso: water temperatureChecked Oct 11, 2026
- fs.usda.gov/r06/willamette/recreation/terwilliger-cougar-hot-springs: fee, permit or reservation, dogs, trail, campingChecked Oct 11, 2026 and Oct 14, 2026
- fs.usda.gov/r06/willamette/alerts/terwilliger-hot-springs-nudity-al...: clothingChecked Oct 11, 2026
- Walk: 0.32 mi, computed on an OpenStreetMap foot route (FOSSGIS routing, foot profile) from 44.08362, -122.23292Map data OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL
- Drive times from Eugene, Bend: computed with GraphHopper 11.1, car profile, no trafficOpenStreetMap extract of Oct 12, 2026
- Snow months (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
- Photo: Kane5187, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0Checked by eye Oct 12, 2026