Terwilliger Hot Springs by Hoodoo

Terwilliger Hot Springs

Located just an easy quarter mile walk from the road that goes past Cougar Reservoir (US FS Road 19), the hot springs has been a gathering place for locals and the traveling crowd for many years. The Cougar Reservoir turnoff onto Hwy 19 is located off Hwy 126 midway between Blue River and McKenzie Bridge, and is about one hour from Eugene or 90 minutes from Bend. There are many USFS campgrounds nearby. There are no individual reservations available at these campgrounds (first come - first served only), but we have never had all the sites full. Starting in 2005 the two group campgrounds in the area, Hardrock and Red Diamond may be reserved through the NRRS. If you are looking for a hookup RV site (reservations are available here), Patio RV Park is nearby just west of McKenzie Bridge and east of Tokatee Golf Course. More information about all these campgrounds can be found on this website or for more information about the closest campgrounds go to Cougar Crossing, Sunnyside, or Slide Creek pages. Each of these campgrounds are only about 5 minutes away and each offer something a little different with prices ranging from $10 to $14 per night.

For those of you who are well versed in hot springs around the world and around the Northwest, you will find Terwilliger to be much more rustic (and nicer, I think) than other more publicized hot springs. Our pools are natural and back in a forest of old growth firs and cedars. They are still kept clean, but don't go thinking you will swim a few laps. These pools are more about meditation than they are about exercise (except for the 1/3 mile walk in) In the early 70s Terwilliger (Cougar Hot Springs) was a place for the alternate lifestyle enthusiasts (myself among them) to hang out. In fact it became a reason why some of them fell in love with the area and decided to make the Cougar Reservoir and Blue River area their home. The hot springs has gone through many changes as the local area demands have changed. In the 1990s it became apparent to the Forest Service and locals alike that changes would have to be made to keep the springs safe and healthy. A local "Friends of Cougar" group was formed to give input to the Forest Service and slowly the spot got back to the point where it once again became friendly to everyone. Currently everyone seems to be comfortable with the diverse lifestyle that is accepted (Republicans , Democrats and Anarchists are welcome, but if you are smart you won't talk about politics). Remember the rule is that clothing is optional and this is the expectation of most of those who enjoy the springs. Drinking of alcohol or any beverage in glass containers is not allowed. This is meant to be a mellow experience not a loud alcohol driven party. Anyone bringing in alcohol will be asked to leave. (The glass exclusion should be obvious to everyone.)

Although the hot springs are still not well known to most outside those looking for a safe and acceptable place to shed their clothes, on many days people of all ages can be found relaxing in one of the five pools that range from very hot to just moderately warm. The pools empty into a part of the reservoir below that is often a favorite swimming hole in the summer when the reservoir is full. The Forest Service has added several improvements over the last few years like a better parking area, improved vault toilets and enhanced security, but the cost of this has been high. At first the Forest Service absorbed the loss from the springs use, but increasingly this has become more difficult as their recreation budget has been drastically cut. Starting in 2005 they realized that they no longer had the money to care for the springs from tax dollars and asked Hoodoo to help them. Hoodoo Recreation has been involved in managing local recreation since 1938 and besides running the local's favorite ski area has also for the last dozen years or so also managed the USFS campgrounds throughout the mid Cascade Mts. Hoodoo has been given the goal of caring for Terwilliger without any tax dollars. This means that it must be self sustaining, and that means daily fees. During the 2005 season Hoodoo with the help of locals and volunteer employees at Hoodoo was able to care for the springs while losing less than $1,000 doing it. That was Hoodoo's goal and therefore told the Forest Service that it would once again help keep the springs going. But to do this we need the users to be honest and obey the rules.

Currently the fee is $5 per person. The government's NW Forest Pass will no longer be accepted. The fee must be paid at the entry kiosk if an attendant is not on duty, or to the attendant directly when he or she is on duty. The government is serious about wanting this to work and needs everyone's cooperation to keep this great resource open. Thus anyone not paying the fee could be given a citation of up to a $5,000. For those who use the springs often, an annual pass is available that will be good for one year. The price of the pass is $50. It will be available from the Terwilliger attendant, from the Hoodoo Camp Store at the ski area, from Patio RV Park about a mile north of Harbick's Store on the river drive, from Hoodoo camp hosts in the area, and in the Eugene area, from Umbrella Properties in Coburg.

Some have wondered what costs could possibly be attached to warrant the $5 fee? Probably the most valuable benefit that comes with your fee is someone who watches the parking lot and springs area at least 64 - 80 hours during the summer weeks with periodic inspections during the fall, winter and spring months. In addition the springs, paths, and parking lot are cleaned every day. The bathrooms are also cleaned each day along with periodic pumping of the effluent. While for the most part everything is pretty mellow there, we have been available to help in reporting emergencies. Probably the best feature is that we are available as an information center in connection with local campgrounds, trails and sightseeing treasures.

The Terwilliger attendant will have very little change. It is up to you to bring the correct amount. Credit cards will not be accepted. There are many who do not like paying fees in the US Forest. For many years places like the Terwilliger Hot Springs and local campgrounds were available to all for free. Over a period of years though, overuse and environmental concerns and laws have changed the way things have had to be done. The environmental studies that accompany almost everything done in the Forest now have become so expensive that it has used up the tax base that once enabled the government to subsidize the maintenance and security costs. Whether you agree with environmental concerns and criteria of citizens or not, the object is to improve the Forest, and to make our local area a better place for everyone. The problem is that this means we need to pay our own way. When you pay your fees at the Hot Springs or in other places in the US Forest, please remember the future of our forests depend upon you and your honesty.

On one warm day in August a couple came into the hot springs area and the fellow got himself into a "sticky" situation. He wrote a poem to describe the moment when after swimming in the Terwilliger Lagoon, he rested on what he thought was the prefect stump, but found that even after many years trees still seem to put off pitch.

If you would set bare upon the stump,

Be sure that you protect your rump.

For if you don’t then you may find

You trail a sticky mess behind.

And laughter will surely fill your house,

And you’ll need help from your giggling spouse.

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