You get a lot of bang for your buck at the Umpqua Hot Springs in Oregon. To reach the springs, all you have to do is hike 0.6 miles. Yes, it still qualifies as a “hike,” because you’re walking on a trail through forest, and there’s an elevation gain of 147 feet, which is nothing to sneeze at. Once you take a steel footbridge over a frothing stream, the scenery consists of girthy evergreens and loamy slopes, which extend for miles through the surrounding Umpqua National Forest. But after a quick walk, you’ll arrive at the thermally heated springs, which dribble water into a small pool.
The pool has been created naturally out of travertine deposits, but humans have also delicately shaped the edges to act like a tub. It’s situated on the side of a steep hill, with splendid views of the forest and nearby Surprise Falls. Like the springs, Surprise Falls simply emerges from the ground, pouring down mossy rocks. You can also hike right up to the falls and admire their striated cliffs.
Fit hikers could get to the springs and back in about 20 minutes, but most visitors will bring swimsuits and maybe snacks. The pool sustains temperatures of 100 to 115 degrees Fahrenheit, which are the warmest in this already volcanically active state. The price for a day-visit is only $5 per vehicle, which can be paid online via QR code. Oregon is full of beautiful hikes, but this one is brief, budget-friendly, and rewarding.
Umpqua: off the beaten track in rural Oregon
