Things to Do​

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• Go to the hot springs (duh!)

This little adventure was probably my top 3 favorite things I've ever done

(so far)

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* You need wristbands to have access to this hot spring *

These get purchased at the Ripplebrook Guard Station. Keep your eye out for this because this is actually a couple miles before the actual hot springs trail entrance. (We almost missed it driving by) The wristbands cost $5 each.

There is absolutely no service anywhere around these roads. Luckily our GPS was still working from earlier so got us there but be sure to print out maps and everything you need beforehand (or buy some at the guard station). We needed to use maps when leaving this area before heading to our next destination.

The hot springs are open 24 hours, but I would recommend going before dark and allowing yourself enough time to hike to and from the destination.

It's about a 1.5 mile hike to get to the actual springs. I loved this. The hike was super easy and pretty much all flat surfaces, but it was pretty cool to walk through the forest to get to the hidden beauty of Bagby Hot Springs. Some pretty scenic spots too (one captured above in my photo)

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The trailhead entrance is within one of the campgrounds and there are public bathrooms here as well if you want to use those before heading to the springs. Trailhead - Latitude: 44.95402, Longitude: -122.17023

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Elevation is about 2,050 feet.

The hot springs itself were super awesome! They had private bath houses (which is what we chose to use), where you fill up your own tub with as many buckets of cold water as you want, while the hot natural water fills the tub as well. It's pretty much a bath in the middle of nature! The private houses were cool because you had it all to yourself and had your own space.

 

We got lucky and got the last private room available. We went around 6 or 7pm. I'm sure there are times where you are waiting a pretty long time for a room, but the atmosphere is great and you can just enjoy the beauty of Mount Hood National Forest while you wait ;)

If you walk around the bend there is the public deck too, with more tubs, but this is an open space in which you share with others.

We stayed at the hot springs for about an hour until we decided to hike back to our campervan and settle in for the night.

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Bring snacks and water, as you always should when doing any kind of hike (short or long)

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More info can be found on their website: Bagby Hot Springs

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If you're visiting Oregon and are anywhere near the area, do yourself a favor and check these hidden hot springs out. In my opinion, they are on the "must see" list! They are about an hour and a half or so from Portland. If you can't visit this particular location, do your research and definitely try and check out some hot springs elsewhere. They are everywhere in Oregon!

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