Quick FactsOverview
About McCredie Hot Springs
McCredie Hot Springs, Oregon is a series of geothermal soaking pools along both banks of Salt Creek in the Willamette National Forest, located approximately 8 miles east of Oakridge. The pools are rock-walled and silt-bottomed, shallow enough for seated soaking, and fed by hot spring water that emerges at high temperature before cooling as it mixes with creek flow. They sit adjacent to Oregon Route 58, making them among the more accessible natural hot springs in Oregon without requiring any significant backcountry effort.
The site was once home to a resort that operated in the early twentieth century. The resort structures are long gone, and the springs today are managed by the Willamette National Forest as an undeveloped day-use area. Volunteers typically rebuild the rock walls of the pools each year after winter flooding reshapes the banks. The north bank pools tend to run hotter than those reached via the south bank trail.
The springs lie about 50 miles southeast of Eugene, making them a practical day trip for residents of the Willamette Valley. A small paved parking area with a pit toilet sits near milepost 46 on OR-58, though the south-side pools require continuing east to cross Salt Creek via Shady Gap Road. The natural hot springs draw visitors throughout the year.
Location & Access
Getting to McCredie Hot Springs
McCredie Hot Springs is reached by driving east on Oregon Route 58 from Oakridge for approximately 8 miles to a signed day-use parking lot near milepost 46, from which a trail of under 0.2 miles leads to the north bank pools. To reach the south bank pools, which most visitors find preferable for soaking, continue half a mile further east on OR-58 and turn right onto Shady Gap Road, cross the one-lane bridge over Salt Creek, and follow the unpaved road to a pullout where a short trail of about 0.3 miles leads downstream along the creek. The road is passable for most standard vehicles in dry conditions, though winter snow and mud can complicate access on the south side.
From Eugene, the total drive is approximately 50 miles and takes about one hour via OR-58. From Bend, the drive is roughly 90 miles and takes around an hour and a half. Cell service is not available at the springs, so downloading offline maps before departure is recommended. The nearest gas station is in Oakridge, 8 miles to the west. A $5 per vehicle day-use fee is required, payable at a self-service station in the north-side parking area. For visitors looking for hot springs near Oakridge, McCredie is the closest and most accessible option in the area, with no reservation needed and year-round access when road conditions allow.
Suitability & Accessibility
Visiting McCredie Hot Springs
McCredie Hot Springs suits adults and older teenagers who are comfortable with a clothing-optional environment, variable water temperatures, and a setting without managed facilities. The short trail is easy and flat, and the pools are shallow enough for seated soaking. However, water temperature can reach scalding levels near the source vents, and visitors are responsible for testing the water before entering. The site is not recommended for young children, who may find the temperatures unpredictable and the setting unsuitable.
For those seeking natural hot springs in Oregon that are easy to reach without significant preparation, McCredie fits well. The pools are wide and shallow rather than deep, which limits some risk but also means conditions shift with the seasons. During high water in late winter and spring, some pools may be submerged. In summer and autumn, the pools are generally most stable. Weekends tend to be busy, and the clothing-optional setting means social comfort levels vary.
Wheelchair access is not possible, as the trail involves uneven terrain and the south bank crossing requires navigating a dirt road. The parking area near the highway has basic facilities. Dogs are welcome on a leash but are not permitted in the pools. Standard cars can typically manage the Shady Gap Road in dry weather, though high-clearance vehicles handle wet conditions better.
Safety & Etiquette
Safety and Etiquette at McCredie Hot Springs
McCredie Hot Springs requires careful attention from visitors, as water temperatures fluctuate and some pools, particularly near the source vents on the north bank, can reach scalding temperatures well above safe soaking levels. Always test the water carefully with your hand before entering, and never assume a pool is safe based on its appearance. The site is unmanaged and no staff are present, so visitors are fully responsible for their own safety.
The day-use-only policy is actively enforced, and overnight stays at the springs are not permitted. Visitors should arrive during daylight hours and plan to leave before dark. Nighttime closures exist for both safety and conservation reasons. The $5 per vehicle fee should be paid at the self-service station in the parking area on arrival.
Clothing-optional norms are well established at McCredie, and both clothed and unclothed visitors are common. The expectation is mutual respect regardless of what others choose to wear. Photography of other visitors without their consent is not acceptable, and the site can attract a wide range of people, so maintaining awareness of the social environment around you helps keep the experience comfortable for everyone.
Leave No Trace principles apply throughout the area. Pack out all waste, including food scraps, as no trash bins are provided. Dogs must remain on a leash at all times and are not permitted in the pools. The Willamette National Forest asks that visitors help protect the springs by not moving or damaging the rock walls, which volunteers rebuild each year after flooding. Staying on established paths along Salt Creek helps preserve the riparian habitat for future visitors.
