Terwilliger Hot Springs facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Terwilliger Hot Springs |
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Upper pools at Terwilliger Hot Springs
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| Location | Lane County, Oregon |
| Coordinates | 44°5′0″N 122°14′21″W / 44.08333°N 122.23917°W |
| Elevation | 1,749 feet (533 m) |
| Type | Natural hot spring |
| Temperature | 112 °F (44 °C) |
 Location in Oregon
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Terwilliger Hot Springs, also called Cougar Hot Springs, are natural warm water pools. You can find them in the Willamette National Forest in Oregon, USA. They are about 53 miles (85 km) east of Eugene. These pools get their heat from deep inside the Earth. The warm water flows into Rider Creek, which then goes into Cougar Reservoir. The springs are a short walk from Forest Service Road 19. This road is also known as Aufderheide Memorial Drive. A company called American Land & Leisure manages these hot springs.
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Terwilliger Hot Springs: A Warm Oasis
Terwilliger Hot Springs offers a unique outdoor experience. People have been visiting these warm pools for many years. It's a great place to relax and enjoy nature.
Exploring the Pools
Over time, visitors have built four pools using river stones. These pools vary in size. They can be from 3 to 12 feet (0.9 to 3.7 m) wide. Their depth ranges from 2 to 3 feet (0.6 to 0.9 m). The water comes from a rock face above the highest pool. It flows out at about 112°F (44°C).
The pools are built on a hillside. Water cascades, or flows down, from one pool to the next. This means each lower pool is a bit cooler than the one above it. The bottom of the pools is mostly natural rock. However, some gravel, sand, and small bits of nature can be found there. The pools are closed every Thursday morning. This allows the managers to clean them each week.
Keeping the Springs Nice
The pools were updated in 2009. A group of helpful volunteers led this project. They worked with a stonemason from Eugene. They removed old concrete from the pools. Then, they rebuilt the walls using a natural mortar. This new way of building makes the walls stronger. It also makes them easier for volunteers to clean. The repairs cost about $40,000. These new pools are expected to last for many, many years.
How to Visit
There is a small fee to enter the hot springs. Since 2012, it costs $6 per person for a day visit. You can also buy a seasonal pass for $60 per person. This pass lets you visit many times. The springs are open for day use only. This means you cannot stay overnight. Pets are not allowed in the pools. However, there is a special area nearby where you can tie up your pet.
Recent Challenges
The hot springs have faced some challenges. On December 21, 2017, a landslide blocked the main road. This road was the way to access the springs from the north. The road had to stay closed for a long time. At the same time, winter weather and construction blocked the southern access. This made the hot springs impossible to reach for a while.
Then, on August 19, 2018, a fire started near the springs. The fire damaged the path leading to the pools. It also affected the area around them. Luckily, the hot springs were able to reopen on July 1, 2019.
