The Ultimate Guide to Umpqua Hot Springs

Last Updated on September 29, 2020

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 for us the first thermal pool of water in the US. Since then, during our road trips, we try to check all the hot springs on the way. Umpqua is one of the best Oregon hot springs for sure. Moreover, it is a clothing-optional hot spring. So, what should you know before soaking into thermal pools? How to get there? How to prepare for the hike & what to bring? We share all the necessary hints in our Ultimate Guide to Umpqua Hot Springs in Oregon.

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What is Umpqua Hot Springs?

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

This set of 7 geothermal pools sit 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 our essential tips for visiting Umpqua Hot Springs in Oregon.

Umpqua Hot Springs is located in the central Oregon Cascades in the middle of Umpqua National Forest between Roseburg at the west and Bend in the east. The closest town is Glide. These natural hot springs are a welcome stop on the 79-mile North Umpqua Trail, which is open to hikers, mountain bikers, and horseback riding. Other attractions in the area are Toketee Falls, Surprise Falls, and Misty Grotto Falls.

Umpqua Hot Springs Directions

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

• 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 then 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 mile to a parking area on the left.

There is often no coverage in this area, so take a paper map. We use and can recommend Oregon Road & Recreation Atlas. It is very informative and detailed. Thanks to this atlas, our trip was more interesting, as we could quickly learn what was nearby and plan. It’s also a useful alternative to GPS maps when traveling.

Umpqua Hot Springs Trailhead

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

The car park is small for 10 vehicles, so it’s better to arrive early in the morning to find a spot. Fee is $5/vehicle/day or Northwest Forest Pass.
So, don’t forget to pay $5 parking fee. Take cash and a pen. It is a day-use only area.

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

PROTIP: Before you go, check on the official Umpqua National Forest website if the area is open. It road might be temporarily closed due to bad weather conditions or threats, such as wildfires. You can also call the Toketee Ranger Station +1 541-498-2531 to check if the area is accessible.
The gate to Umpqua is often closed during the winter season, which means that you must add additional 1.5 miles to reach the trailhead that leads to the hot springs.

It’s only composting toilet, two campsites and picnic tables located near the parking area. Garbage limited is disposal, so pack all your trash with you. The place becomes more and more popular every year so that it can be crowded. Unfortunately, some people do not clean up after themselves. Don’t forget the garbage bags. So leave no trace & protect this amazing place.

There is no drinking water 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. The scenery will be magical due to fogs above hot pools. When you got 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, 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. At the final fork, take the path leading uphill and to the left. Look for the wooden shelter over the hot pool.

The hike, while steep, is definitely short. It is a moderate, quarter-mile hike one way. It should take you 20 minutes to get to the pools.

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

Clothing Optional Hot Springs

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, to enjoy nature, breathtaking scenery. Nudity is something familiar, and folks in Umpqua Hot Springs want to feel this pure nature 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 and feel free in your decision and respect others. Go with a sense of humor and appreciation for nature.

What to Pack?

• Enter the water in water shoes or waterproof hiking sandals. It’s slippery and dangerous there.
• Bring a waterproof bag to store your mobile, documents, camera and dry clothes! This area is naturally wet, but the area around the pools is even wetter.
• Bring plenty of water to keep you hydrated. The water temperature in the pools can be 105-108 F degrees, 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 to pack thermal underwear and extra dry cloths and extra pair of dry socks.
• A hat and a scarf might be useful too.
• If you are going in autumn or winter, a thermos with hot coffee or tea will also be perfect when you finish your bath.

Soak in The Hot Springs

The wooden shelter protects the main pool from the elements. The main pool sources hot water from the spring beneath the hillside, to the rest of the pools. It is 3 feet deep. Six smaller and shallower pools are of the hillside. They are terraced down toward the river. The water from the upper pools flows through the lower ones, which means that the higher pools are both 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.

Hot Spings Etiquette & Tips for Responsible Hikers

Leave No Trace

Respect this place and take away all your rubbish. Keep things clean.
It happens that irresponsible folks 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 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, shampoo. Natural springs and the connecting waterways cannot support cosmetics. So respect this.

Keep Quiet

People want to soak themselves in hot springs, relax, admire nature. So, everyone should respect of 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 the naked people. The place became popular, so you will probably share the pool with other visitors. If you want to be in the pool yourself, try to go 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

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

Umpqua Hot Springs Lodging

Toketee Lake Campground

Toketee Lake Campground in the Umpqua National Forest is the only camping near Umpqua Hot Springs. It is is a dry campground with vault toilets, no electricity. You must bring your water. There are 32 sites available by reservation only. Maximum vehicle length is 30 feet. It costs $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, 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

If you need a campground with water, electricity, dump, and other amenities we can recommend Rising River RV Park in Roseburg. It is a is a friendly, family run park on the bank above the Umpqua River. Book it here.
Another one is a Seven Feathers RV Resort in Canyonville. They offers dining, wine tasting tours, spa, pool. You can reserve a place directly on the camp website.
Another great camping is Diamond Lake.

Hotels near Umpqua Hot Springs

If you need a hotel, the best offers you will find in Roseburg, Bend, 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 that will help you get to the real hidden gems of Oregon’s forests and a 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—well-documented book with good descriptions, advice, and tips. We still have dozens of places on our bucket list with this guide. So, If you want to find the best and the hottest springs in the Pacific Northwest Region, this book is number one.

Hiking Hot Springs in the Pacific Northwest	Touring Hot Springs Washington & Oregon	Hot Springs and Hot Pools of the Northwest	Hot Springs and Hot Pools of the Southwest
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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

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