Terwilliger Hot Spring

I don’t know what everyone is so upset about. I went to these hot springs yesterday, it was lightly raining and about 45 degrees out and it was magical.
YES lots of naked people but also lots of not naked people. The only complaint I would have is its pretty busy. I was worried because of all the periodic reviews I read about vandalism/​drugs/​sex goin on there. But people assured me its wonderful! And they were right. I saw no shady business, or evidence of shady business. It was actually extremely peaceful, everyone was talking in pretty quiet voices.
Long story short, this place is worth your time. Also I went on a Wednesday and the water seemed clean. It’s always flowing so I don’t know what there is to worry about there. Absolutely cleaner than a hot tub that’s for sure.

Loved this place, very quiet and beautiful. You must be out of there before sunset or could get a HUGE fine from the Park Ranger. The hottest pool is at the top and gets cooler as you go down. Yes there is nudity here, who cares.

I can’t give this wonderful hot spring 5 stars, because the fact that you have to PAY $ 6 to some bogus concessionaire really sticks in my craw. I’m used to soaking for free, dammit!!!
Once you choke up the cash, though, it’s a great experience — you can shed your clothing pretty much right after you pay the guy at the kiosk, and hike down the ¼-​mile trail in the nude, if you like. Either way, once reaching the springs pretty much EVERYONE is nude — but not in a creepy, swinger way; it’s just a bunch of naked people hanging out peacefully. If nudity makes you uncomfortable, definitely stay away — but I’m telling you, the vibe is not creepy or letchy at all. RELAX, ya fuckin’ Puritans! At the time of my visit there were old people, young people, thin people, fat people, kids and everything in between — most but not all nude.
I went on the Sunday after the Oregon Country Fair in mid July — a time when the pools are in HEAVY use — and still they felt very clean. I’ve been to dozens of hot springs, and these were among the cleanest I’ve ever experienced! Clear water with a decent flow and nice hot temps, in sandy bottomed rock-​lined pools. They look totally rustic, but have obviously been developed and improved, and are regularly cleaned.
At the time of my visit, the uppermost (hottest) pool, directly under the waterfall from whence springs the source, was closed — but there were still three or four pools of varying temps to choose from.
The whole area is shaded by old-​growth forest, but there are a few sunny spots if you want to catch some rays. There are covered benches to store your belongings, and a couple of open-​air toilets a short hike up the hill. You can also hike down the creek a ways to a magnificent waterfall.
One could easily spend an entire day soaking here. The springs officially close at sunset, and there is no camping on site (unless you sneak your gear in and camp out backpacker-​style down the creek)…so my recommendation is to set up camp nearby (I stayed at Sunnyside, about 15 min away), then drive over and spend the day soaking with the wonderful assortment of kooks and nuts you find at hot springs… until they kick you out. Then, drag your blissed out and relaxed ass back to camp.
I’ll definitely be back to this amazing place — even if I have to spend $ 6 :-/

Ummmm clothing optional… more like clothing not allowed. Not to mention the young (4 – 6 yr old) children… AWKWARD!
The dog area is a clearing roughly 50 ft from the spring. You leash the dogs to a log no biggy there just wish it was visible from the spring as there is a lot of cougar activity!

Roughly an hour drive from Eugene, this is a great day trip if you’re looking to relax!
I’m still not too sure how I feel about these hot springs, mainly because of its cleanliness. You can just tell that the water is a bit unsanitary, and I went on a Friday — a day after it was «cleaned» (apparently it’s cleaned every Thursday… I don’t wanna know what that water is like by Wednesdays).
However, it does have great parking, an entrance attendant (they’re only open until around sunset and be prepared to pay $ 6/​person upon hiking entry, cash only!), a short and easy hike to the springs, and GORGEOUS scenery.
The top pool is the hottest and the remaining 3 decrease in temperature, with the bottom being the coolest, but still comfortable.

Imagine, if you will, you are a kid back in the days of sharing bath water. Your oldest brother gets first dibs on clean hot water and what you and your other siblings are left with is the gross, warm water.
Then let’s say your elderly parents scoot into the already crowded situation… and let’s say they start making out.
Welcome to the hot springs. Four pools that cascade to the other. Each getting dirtier and colder. Each crammed with wrinkly, pale skin.
Six bucks and all this could be yours.

Naked people. Expect this. Don’t be weird about it. Compared to other naked people hot springs I’ve been to, this one was quite nice. There are 3 or 4 «levels»; the top pool is the warmest and the water gets cooler as you descend. There’s also a little cave up on the top level. And by little, I mean little. If you’re not claustrophobic and like the heat, I’d recommend climbing in.
My friend lives in Eugene and brought me here, but if you don’t know where you’re going, I can see it would be easy to get lost. Make sure you know where you’re going when you depart. You might not get reception/​internet!
The only reason I docked a star is because there’s a little area where you can leave your stuff/​change, but it gets damp :(Make sure you use the restroom near the parking area because there isn’t a man made one in the vicinity of the springs.
Also, the view of the waterfall is stunning.

Were it not for acts of vandalism and oglers, this place would come about as close as it gets to being the most beautiful place on Earth. Even still, a few bad apples aren’t enough for me to dock it a star. When I ask people who have never been to the Pacific NW to picture Oregon in their minds, the image they usually conjure up accurately describes Cougar/​Terwilliger — five cascading pools of mineral purity surrounded by majestic, towering evergreens, moss-​bedecked nurse logs and lush sword ferns. Waterfalls (one in the reservoir and one findable upon deeper exploration) and people of all ages and body types soaking in the glory. Laid-​back enforcement (just don’t go at night :-() that looks askance at nudity and herb usage. All for just a $ 6 entry fee. Within a 2 hour’s drive of Eugene and a 4 hour trek from Portland. All in all, the place is one of the few places in Oregon, indeed on Earth, that’s even better than it seems or sounds.
Update March 2015: I had higher hopes that reviewers would be grown-​up (enough) to not freak out over seeing skin and hair, but judging by previous reviews this is not the case. So for those who whine about unattractive nudity or complain that the springs are not ‘family friendly’ — screw you. Why don’t you just go back to whatever repressive (ed) red state you’re from and leave the springs for those of us who are mature enough to embrace body freedom?

This place could be absolutely magical. It is tucked between trees on a lovely hillside in the forest with a tumbling creek just off to the side of the cascading tubs.
On my visit, there was a group that showed up smoking and drinking booze from a glass bottle. Both the cigarettes and the glass bottle came into the pool with them. This group was composed of three men in their late 20s or early 30s with their underage girlfriends, one of them looked maybe 15, none of them could handle their alcohol. If this wasn’t bad enough, they start smoking weed, which I much prefer to the cigarettes, however, their weed smelled wrong and they were smoking it out of a lightbulb or something; I have no idea. So now I’m sitting in a pool with wasted topless underage girls and these naked guys with junkie physiques who are wearing sunglasses and flat billed ball caps, some of whom are smoking a backwoods, home-​made drug cocktail.
Not the best.

Not for families or single women! I really wish I’d had a proper heads up about the springs.
We knew in advance this place was clothing optional– it’s a hot springs in the middle of the forest, I have no problem with that, and no problem taking my children around nudity. However this springs feels crummy with swinger-​types. There was a couple in the top tub being lewd & inappropriate– the springs are clear, so nothing is discreet, and the top tub runs down into the next 4 pools, which is just gross. It should be ripe with raw, natural beauty & instead I’m worried about floating secretions and bacterial infections, calculating how much neosporin it would take to cover 4 bodies.
As a traveled woman, this is definitely not a place I would go alone. There are some regulars who definitely exude a rapey vibe.
If you feel you must check it out, I suggest Thursday noonish or Friday, as they ‘clean’ the top three tubs Thurs mornings, or early in the day on Saturday before the swingers come out.

I visited Terwilliger Hot Springs, near Eugene, OR, on July 30, 2013. The area is simply breathtaking, featuring old growth trees in unspoiled forest. The short hike to the springs from the parking area on Aufderheide Memorial Drive (Forest Service Road 19) is easy and scenic. It is about a quarter mile and contains some gentle elevations, but nothing too strenuous.
The Springs are now maintained by the Friends of Cougar, a local non-​profit organization that also collects user fees ($ 6/​person; $ 60/​year). The money is used to man the booth and pay for improvements and care of the Springs.
According to their agreement with the Forest Service, alcohol consumption is banned, overnight camping is forbidden, and lewd behavior is not allowed. This would lead one to believe that Cougar Hot Springs is a friendly place where one can enjoy a soak in a delightful forest setting. One would be wrong!
When we arrived, there were a few people enjoying a hot soak in the pools. Cougar consists of five improved pools built of stone; the top one is the hottest at about 110 F, the lowest the coolest. About half the people were nude, perfectly acceptable at a clothing-​optional spring. However, a quick scan of the changing shelter and benches revealed empty alcohol bottles and clear evidence of men behaving badly!
Had I been there alone, I would have immediately returned to the entrance and demanded a refund of my user fee! As it was, I was still uncomfortable soaking where men obviously felt at ease masturbating in public. I suspect this activity is included in the Forest Service’s definition of «lewd behavior» and is not condoned. That some men think this sort of activity is okay does not speak well for the group that manages the springs. Even worse, these men do not even make an effort to wash away the evidence of their behavior.
Terwilliger/​Cougar is a natural treasure and should be treated with respect so that everyone can enjoy it in safety without feeling they might be raped or exposed to inappropriate behavior. I wish I could give it the five stars the springs deserve, but as long as men feel free to desecrate the springs with their ejaculate, it is lucky to get a single star!

We drove up here yesterday morning and it was lovely!
Pristine scenic drive.
$ 6/​person entrance fee
Less than half a mile walk to the springs… more like a nature walk.
When we went, there were about 30 people coming and going and only 3 – 4 people were completely nude. So it’s not like everyone there is naked!
There are 5 hot tub-​size pools; the highest pool is the hottest (about 110 degrees F) and it gets cooler as you descend towards the lower pool. It’s nice that you have different pools with different temperatures. It is truly an outdoor spa!
Next time I visit Eugene I am definitely visiting the springs again.

Even on a cold, dreary, rainy day it was a beautiful walk (and drive) to the hot springs. There were six naked hippies on the top spring, meditating and eating granola (no lie) so we took the second spring. BD and Itty Bitty moved to the first spring where it was hotter and Itty Bitty was a hit in his cherubic baby-​ness. The springs are nice with a gorgeous view. Because it was rainy, everything was dark green and gray and misty. I’m really glad we stopped by. I’d love to come back and camp or take a swim in the swimming holes by the water fall. I’m also glad that we paid the $ 6 fee because when we left there were rangers asking to see our receipts. I would not like to be here when it’s busy though, I’d come up on the week day next time. It got crowded really quickly despite the rain. The good thing is, everyone seemed to try to get in on the first spring and the more people sat there the more hot water flowed from the top to the second spring and the water warmed up very well.

We went on a weekday morning in March and the place was pretty much empty. Springs appeared well-​maintained and clean.
Bring cash! The day use fee is $ 6.00 per person. Chances are there won’t be an attendant, and you’ll have to put cash in the envelope. Not too sure if this is actually enforced, but I wouldn’t want to be naked in a pool getting yelled at by the park ranger.
There was a sign posted that the springs are closed on Thursday morning for cleaning.

I see annoying, clothed people… Hit or miss stop for naturalists and nudists looking for a great place to relax naturally.
Terwilliger (Cougar) hot springs is an amazing, beautiful place that is a wonder to relax in when it’s quiet. If you are a hotsprings fan, it’s a must visit. The waters are beautiful, the cold spring is drinkable and you can’t help but relax. The waters are hotter in the summer but wonderful in the off season. It’s clothing optional (like a hot spring should be).
The only downside? The increasing number of loud, judgmental, insecure, college and high school kids, wearing suits thinking the springs are a giant hot tub party. They come in the afternoons and evenings, make it hard to relax, bring in glass, trash the place and (as you can see from the previous reviews) clearly have a hard time with nudity at a natural springs. If you wander in during a peak time, don’t let it stop you but it can be very annoying and crowded.
If you’re looking for a relaxing, meditative time, avoid the peak hours or main vacation times. When pool was mostly empty, it was also more comfortable for people to wear or not wear clothes, it was quiet and I met some amazing people.
If you want to be naked while you relax, don’t let the textiles in the hot tub or their insecurities deter you. Relax how you want to. Actively keeping the springs clothing optional allows others (young and old) who are intimidated by the suits to see that it’s a safe environment and they can leave the suit and their worries behind.

One of my top favourite places to go and relax with my boyfriend. It lacks the «convenience» of a hot tub in your backyard, but comes with the experience of soaking out in a beautiful forest setting. Clothing is optional, but I’ve never been personally uncomfortable about that — the people who choose to go without seem to be the friendliest I’ve encountered there anyways. But if you’re shy about other peoples’ bodies or your own, it might not be the place for you.
A tip I would offer is that the pools vary in temperature — top being hottest and each one is cooler as they go down. The temp can be lower in winter but it usually stays pretty warm year-​round. There are also areas to camp around Cougar Reservoir if you choose to do an overnighter. The only thing I can see being a downfall is when it gets darker, there are usually rowdier groups that come with alcohol. But aside from that, all my experiences there have been wonderful! I would recommend it to anyone looking to relax. :)

One star is generous. I can soak in my bath at at home and not have to look at heinous naked hippy wannabes displaying their unsightly bods. Really, I almost barfed! I seriously think people that expose themselves are closet exhibitionists and are always in hope that children see them. Creepy.

An amazing place, reached by a nice gentle walk through a beautifully forested path. The walk calms you down and sets the tone for what’s to follow.
There are several different plunge pools of varying temperatures, so you’re sure to find one that fits your tastes and/​or limitations.
Given that it’s a public facility, you do, indeed, get your share of hippies, ex-​hippies, hippie wannabees and everything in-​between. You also get families of all ages and a genuine cross-​section of all the Pacific Northwest offers.
It IS clothing-​optional. If you’re uncomfortable bathing naked, you can wear a suit. I can’t fathom why you’d want to, though. Being outdoors on a beautiful afternoon, relaxing in a sort of primordial state begs that you shed your inhibitions and go with the flow.
My only caution is to be sure to pack or wear appropriate footwear. Navigating down to the pools can be slippery and requires a deft touch sometimes. The rocks in the pools can also be very slippery when you first step in.
In short, amble through the forest, strip down, relax, release and watch your footing.

This is a fabulous place. It is a perfect sight for relaxation and healing. If you are experiencing stress, pain, or depression, I would recommend taking the drive up to the hot springs. Even the drive itself is beautiful.
There are people here of every age, gender, and body type, and while some people see this as a drawback, I see it as a plus. You get a chance to see people as they really are; you don’t have to hide anything here. You also get the wonderful opportunity of talking to people you may never have talked with otherwise. Hot springs seem to attract travelers so you get a chance to hear some interesting stories. All the same, if you want to go and have solitary time, no one will bother you.
Be prepared to pay a small entrance fee. I believe it’s $ 5 currently but I could be wrong. It seems like the springs are very well-​maintained (they even have bathrooms and a little hut where you can hang your towels/​clothes, so my guess is the money goes to that).
A couple of tips: the highest hot spring is the hottest and the lowest one is the coolest. Be prepared for HOT in the highest one! And always bring water. It’s easy to get overheated and many people will faint from spending too much time in the pools and not drinking enough H2O.

I see naked people…
This place is clothing optional which can be good or bad — I’ve spent some time walking around in my birthday suit and it’s one of those places where people won’t look twice at you. I wore a suit when I was here and that was fine. There are a good number of clothed and naked people all enjoying their surroundings.
It can seem a little odd, if you’re not used to this type of thing… to see people/​hikers come walking out of the woods strip down and jump in a hot spring…
There are a number of web-​sites that have info on this place:
If you are ever in the area it’s worth the time to check this place out — it’s an experience that you’ll enjoy — even with naked old people hanging around. You always see the one that you would never — EVER want to see in the buff but may just see a few that you would…