Cougar Hot Springs
- Soaking temperature
- 85-112°F
- Soakable
- Yes
- Hike
- 0.25 mi each way
- Road
- Paved
- Permit
- Not required
- Dogs
- Not allowed
the soaking pools run 85 to 112°F at Cougar Hot Springs, a primitive hot spring in Lane County, Oregon, managed by USDA Forest Service (Willamette National Forest). See every spot on Rider Creek.
Closures and warnings
Same site as Terwilliger Hot Springs. Site heavily impacted by 2018 Terwilliger Fire; hazard trees mitigated but loose rock, flooding, debris flows, and falling trees remain risks. Alcohol prohibited (Forest Order through March 2028). As of September 28, 2026.
Soaking
| Development | Primitive |
|---|---|
| Soaking temperature | 85-112°F |
| Pools | 4 |
| Soakable | Yes |
| Clothing | Clothing optional |
| Water type | Spring |
|---|---|
| Typical depth | 2-3 ft |
| Entry | Walk in |
Access
| Hike | 0.25 mi each way |
|---|---|
| Road | Paved |
| Road note | Forest Road 19 (Aufderheide) is not maintained for snow and ice in winter. |
| Parking | Limited lot at Terwilliger (Cougar) Hot Springs; no double parking or roadside parking on FR 19. |
| When it fills | RVs/trailers use pullout near FR 1985/1986 or Cougar Crossing Day Use. |
| Fee | $12 per person per 2 hours (ages 12+); covers springs, trail, lagoon, and parking. No passes honored. |
| Hours | Day use only, sunrise to 10 p.m. Closed to all use 10 p.m. to sunrise. |
| Reservation or permit | Not required |
| Day-use cap | 50 |
| Seasonal closure | Open year-round when FR 19 is passable. |
| Managed by | USDA Forest Service (Willamette National Forest) |
| Restrooms | Yes |
|---|---|
| Drinking water | Yes |
| Picnic sites | No |
| Note | Vault toilets at parking; composting restrooms near pools. |
Rules
| Dogs | Not allowed |
|---|---|
| Camping | Not allowed |
Common questions
Common questions
Is Cougar Hot Springs open?
Same site as Terwilliger Hot Springs. Site heavily impacted by 2018 Terwilliger Fire; hazard trees mitigated but loose rock, flooding, debris flows, and falling trees remain risks. Alcohol prohibited (Forest Order through March 2028). As of September 28, 2026. Seasonal closure: Open year-round when FR 19 is passable. Hours: Day use only, sunrise to 10 p.m. Closed to all use 10 p.m. to sunrise.
How hot is Cougar Hot Springs?
The soaking pools run 85 to 112°F. There are 4 pools.
How long is the hike to Cougar Hot Springs?
It's a 0.25 mi hike each way. The road in is paved. Forest Road 19 (Aufderheide) is not maintained for snow and ice in winter. Parking: Limited lot at Terwilliger (Cougar) Hot Springs; no double parking or roadside parking on FR 19. RVs/trailers use pullout near FR 1985/1986 or Cougar Crossing Day Use.
Do you need a reservation for Cougar Hot Springs?
No reservation or permit is required.
Is Cougar Hot Springs free?
The fee is $12 per person per 2 hours (ages 12+); covers springs, trail, lagoon, and parking. No passes honored.
Is Cougar Hot Springs clothing optional?
Yes, Cougar Hot Springs is clothing optional.
What facilities are at Cougar Hot Springs?
Restrooms and drinking water. No picnic sites. Vault toilets at parking; composting restrooms near pools.
Nearby
Camping nearby
Public land
Cougar Hot Springs is inside Willamette National Forest .
Just outside: Three Sisters Wilderness (0.6 mi) .
Sources
2
- https://www.fs.usda.gov/r06/willamette/recreation/terwilliger-cougar-hot-springs (accessed September 28, 2026; backs manager / access.hikeDistanceMi / hotSpring.soakingTempF / poolCount, access.fee / access.hours / seasonalClosure / dayUseCap, rules.dogs / rules.camping / clothing, access.parking / parkingPattern / roadNote / amenities, hazardNote / hotSpring.development / typicalDepthFt)
- https://www.fs.usda.gov/r06/willamette/alerts/terwilliger-hot-springs-nudity-alcohol-and-closed-times-0 (accessed September 28, 2026; backs hazardNote alcohol ban / hours closure)
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