Guide to Umpqua Hot Springs in Oregon

Umpqua Hot Springs in Oregon is one of our favorites. Natural hot springs are addictive. Once you soak yourself in their warmth, especially in the beautiful scenery, you want to experience more and more hot pools. Umpqua Hot Springs in Oregon was the first thermal pool of water in the US. Since then, during our road trips, we have tried to check all the hot springs on the way. Umpqua is one of the best Oregon hot springs, for sure. Moreover, clothing in this place is optional. So, what should you know before soaking in thermal pools? How to get there? How to prepare for the hike to Umpqua Hot Springs & what to bring? We share all the necessary hints based in our personal experiences.

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What is Umpqua Hot Springs?

Umpqua Hot Springs, aka Toketee Hot Springs, is one of Oregon’s most photographed hot springs locations.

This set of 7 geothermal pools sits right on the edge of a rock face, spilling 108-degree water into the North Umpqua River below. The view is breathtaking. It’s truly worth adding Umpqua Hot Springs to the Pacific Northwest bucket list! So, check out our essential tips for visiting Umpqua Hot Springs in Oregon.

Where is Umpqua Hot Springs?

Umpqua Hot Springs is located in the central Oregon Cascades in the middle of Umpqua National Forest between Roseburg at the west and Bend on the east. The closest town is Glide.

These natural hot springs are a welcome stop on the 79-mile North Umpqua Trail, open to hikers, mountain bikers, and horseback riding. Other attractions in the area are Toketee Falls, Surprise Falls, and Misty Grotto Falls.

Our Experiences

My partner, Chris, and I went hiking in the fall to visit Umpqua hot springs. Despite the rainy and foggy weather, the hike was made all the more magical by the season’s beautiful red, gold, and orange leaves.

We spent almost the entire day enjoying the hot springs, taking breaks only for walks around the area to avoid harming our bodies by staying too long in the hot water. Since it was already late fall, there were few tourists, and the atmosphere was particularly pleasant.

We’d like to share our observations and photos from our trip with you. This place looks slightly different every season, and we highly recommend visiting.

Umpqua Hot Springs Directions

Situated 150 feet over the North Umpqua River and close to Crater Lake National Park, it is perfect for a stop during your epic Oregon road trip.

• From Roseburg: it is about 60 miles east of Roseburg. You must take OR-138 east/northeast Diamond Lake Boulevard. Continue east on Highway 138 and turn left at milepost 59 onto Forest Road 34. At the bottom of the hill, turn left across the concrete bridge. Go 2.2 miles and turn right onto Forest Road 3401. Proceed 0.7 miles to a parking area on the left.

Umpqua Hot Springs Trailhead

GPS coordinates are Latitude 43.2956 N, Longitude -122.3613 W.
The elevation is 2,600 feet. The road to the Umpqua Hot Springs trailhead parking lot is dirt and gravel, full of potholes, so drive carefully.

The car park is small, with space for 10 vehicles, so it’s better to arrive early in the morning to find a spot. The fee is $5 per vehicle/day or Northwest Forest Pass.
Remember to pay a $5 parking fee. Take cash and a pen. This is a day-use-only area.

Umpqua Hot Springs is year-round accessible unless there are dangers, such as fires.

Umpqua Hot Springs Contact

PROTIP: Before going, check the official Umpqua National Forest website to see if the area is open. The road might temporarily be closed due to bad weather conditions or threats like wildfires. You can also call the Toketee Ranger Station at +1 541-498-2531 to check if the area is accessible.
The gate to Umpqua is often closed during the winter season, so you must add 1.5 miles to reach the trailhead leading to the hot springs.

There is only a composting toilet, two campsites, and picnic tables near the parking area. Garbage disposal is limited, so pack all your trash with you. The place becomes increasingly popular every year, so it can be crowded.

Unfortunately, some people do not clean up after themselves. Don’t forget the garbage bags. So leave no trace and protect this amazing place.

No drinking water is available, so bring plenty of water with you.

Hike to Umpqua Hot Springs

If you want to enjoy the serenity of the hike, start it early in the morning. It’s about 25 minutes to reach the hot springs from the parking lot. The scenery will be magical due to the fog above the hot pools. When you get to the trailhead, you cross the bridge and venture through the deep woods.

You must cross the footbridge over the North Umpqua River to the trail. Then, turn right and proceed 0.1 miles to a junction. Turn to the right and start to climb a steep trail for 0.2 miles.

Hiking poles are handy in this area because it is humid, slippery, and muddy. You should wear shoes with a good grip or a waterproof climbing sandal that will allow you to immerse yourself in the hot springs later.

At the next fork, turn right and climb a narrow trail for 0.2 miles. Take the path leading uphill and to the left at the final fork. Look for the wooden shelter over the hot pool.

While steep, the hike is definitely short. It is a moderate quarter-mile hike one way, and it should take you 25 minutes to reach the pools.

However, when the gate is closed during winter, it is a 2-mile hike one way.

Clothing is Optional in Umpqua Hot Springs, Oregon

The key to pure relaxation is not being surprised. So, you should know that the place is clothing-optional. You have to be prepared that people in the hot springs might be naked or part-naked. No one stares at you or snickers, and no one expresses surprise. People come here to relax and enjoy nature and breathtaking scenery.

Nudity is something familiar, and folks in Umpqua Hot Springs want to feel this pure nature in all their senses. So, expect plenty of nudity. If you decide to stay in a swimsuit, it’s also okay.

It is acceptable, so go with whichever makes you comfortable. Just relax, feel free to make your own decisions, and respect others. Go with a sense of humor and appreciation for nature.

What to Pack to Umpqua Hot Springs?

• Enter the water in water shoes or waterproof hiking sandals. It’s slippery and dangerous there.
• Bring a waterproof bag or backpack to store your mobile, documents, camera, and dry clothes! This area is naturally wet, and the area around the pools is even wetter.
• Bring plenty of water to keep you hydrated. The pool water temperature can be 105-108 F, so be careful not to dehydrate.
• Take some snacks. However, remember to take all the rubbish with you. So, pack a trash bag.
• Don’t forget a quick-drying towel. You don’t want to catch a cold after getting out of hot water into cold air.
• The temperature differences after leaving the hot pools are vast. Therefore, it is worth packing thermal underwear, dry clothes, and a pair of dry socks.
• A hat and a scarf might be useful too.
• If you go in autumn or winter, a thermos with hot coffee or tea will also be perfect when you finish your bath.

Soak in The Umpqua Hot Springs

The wooden shelter protects the main pool from the elements. The main pool, 3 feet deep, sources hot water from the spring beneath the hillside to the rest of the pools.

Six smaller and shallower pools are on the hillside. They are terraced down toward the river. The water from the upper pools flows through the lower ones, meaning the higher pools are warmer and cleaner.
The water temperature is 108 °F (42.°C)

On slopes and in cascades between pools, it is very slippery. It is easy to trip, so wear water shoes or waterproof hiking sandals with a good grip. Wearing proper shoes will also prevent you from accidentally stepping on broken glass or garbage.

Umpqua Hot Springs Etiquette & Tips for Responsible Hikers

Leave No Trace in Umpqua Hot Springs

Respect this place and take away all your rubbish. Keep things clean. Irresponsible folks sometimes leave garbage, cans, and bottles. Be responsible and clean up.

Don’t leave any food waste, not even the banana peel. So, bring a trash bag and pick up left-behind trash. Don’t bring a glass. Broken glass in a pool can seriously injure someone.

Keep it Clean

Don’t use cosmetics in the pools—even the biodegradable kind. Don’t use soap or shampoo. Natural springs and connecting waterways cannot support cosmetics. So respect this.

Keep Quiet in Umpqua Hot Springs

People want to soak themselves in hot springs, relax, and admire nature. So, everyone should respect the serenity, and no one should be too loud.
Be nice to other people.

Be Open Minded

If you do not like nudity, choose other hot springs. Please do not comment on the appearance of other folks. Be respectful.  If you’re taking pictures, don’t photograph naked people.

The place has become popular, so you will probably share the pool with other visitors. If you want to be in the pool, try going there at dawn or in the low season.

Use a Pit Toilet

There are vault toilets available, so please use them. It is terrible and disgusting that folks leave their human waste somewhere else than toilets.

Take Care of Your Dog

You can take your dog on this hike as long as it is on a leash. When you get to the hot springs, you also have to keep it on a leash. Your dog should not disturb others relaxing in the pools.

Respect that not everyone wants to be friends with your pet. People hike here for serenity and to enjoy nature.
And most importantly, clean up after your dog.

Do Not Camp Next to Pools in Umpqua Hot Springs

Remember that this place is open from sunrise to sunset for day use only. Camping is forbidden because people destroyed the area and left trash. You can’t stay overnight at the parking lot, either. So, if you want to camp, choose the quiet and beautiful Toketee Lake Campground just four miles down the road.

TRIP TIP: Want to see and soak in more Oregon hot springs? Check out our posts about Alvord Hot Springs in the Oregon Desert and Crystal Crane Hot Springs. Or buy this amazing Touring Hot Springs Washington and Oregon!

Umpqua Hot Springs Lodging

Toketee Lake Campground

Toketee Lake Campground in the Umpqua National Forest is the only camping area near Umpqua Hot Springs. It is a dry campground with vault toilets and no electricity, so you must bring your own water.

There are 32 sites available by reservation only. The maximum vehicle length is 30 feet. The sites cost $10-15 per night. You can make a reservation at the Toketee Lake Campground website.

How to get there?

From Roseburg, OR, travel east on OR-138 East /NE Diamond Lake Boulevard for 59 miles and turn left onto Forest Road 34. Keep left at the bottom of the hill and cross the bridge. Proceed 1.5 miles to the campground entrance on the right.

Camping near Umpqua Hot Springs

We recommend Rising River RV Park in Roseburg if you need a campground with water, electricity, a dump, and other amenities. It is a friendly, family-run park on the bank above the Umpqua River. 

Another one is Seven Feathers RV Resort in Canyonville. It offers dining, wine-tasting tours, a spa, and a pool.
Another great camp is Diamond Lake.

Hotels near Umpqua Hot Springs

If you need a hotel, you will find the best offers in Roseburg, Bend/Sisters, and the Crater Lake National Park area.

Oregon Hot Springs Map

Are you a fan of natural hot pools like us? Would you like to experience more hot springs? We like to immerse ourselves in their water, especially during the colder months. We often arrange our road trips in such a way as to reach as many hot springs as possible.

So, if you like hot springs too, we recommend the following books, which contain maps and detailed descriptions of directions to help you get to the hidden gems of Oregon’s forests and desert. These books help us plan our road trips.

So, Touring Hot Springs Washington and Oregon is a must-have for hot springs fans. It featured over forty of the best hot springs in the Pacific Northwest remote wilderness hot springs and spas. You will find detailed directions, maps, and descriptions of each hot pool.

The other one we love is Hiking Hot Springs in the Pacific Northwest: A Guide to the Area’s Best Backcountry Hot Springs. Because it also describes hot springs in Idaho and British Columbia.

It lists over 162 unique hot springs and over 80 amazing hikes. It is a well-documented book with good descriptions, advice, and tips. With this guide, we still have dozens of places on our bucket list. So, if you want to find the best and hottest springs in the Pacific Northwest Region, this book is number one.

If you’re planning a trip to Oregon, please check out some of the other great places we describe in related posts:

• Alvord Hot Springs in Oregon Desert
• Alvord Desert Oregon – How To Plan a Trip?
• The Best Places & Things to do in Sisters Oregon
• Timberline Lodge: The Shining movie location
• Shaniko Ghost Town
• Oregon Road Trip Itinerary
• Crystal Crane Hot Springs
• The Best Oregon Covered Bridges
• Tamolitch Blue Pool Hike in Oregon

Are you a fan of hot springs? So, check out our favorite hot springs in Nevada: Spencer Hot Springs, and Arizona: Natural Arizona Hot Springs.