Bagby Hot Springs – An Enchanting Destination in Mt Hood National Forest

Located in the dense woods of the Mount Hood National Forest, Bagby Hot Springs offers a tranquil, almost fairy-tale-like escape just a short distance from cities such as Portland, Salem, and Vancouver. This picturesque getaway, with its primitive facilities, takes you back to a simpler time.

There is no direct parking or camping at the hot springs, so a refreshing hike is required. Parking and camping are available at the Bagby Trailhead, approximately 1.4 miles from the hot springs. The hike takes about 45 to 60 minutes at a moderate pace through the stunning old-growth forest.

The hot spring is open year-round. However, weekends and holidays can get busy, and you may need to wait for a vacant tub. Law enforcement officers regularly visit to ensure compliance with the rules.

The hot springs feature three bathhouses. The main bathhouse, also known as the Private Deck, is the most popular, as each tub is enclosed in its own private room. The Lower Bathhouse Deck holds four original tubs salvaged from a fire in 1979 and is considered a communal soaking area. The farthest bathhouse is also used for communal soaking.

Hot mineral water flows from two sources at a temperature of about 136°F and is directed through wooden flumes to the bathhouses. These flumes are hollowed-out cedar logs, 10 feet long and up to 3 feet in diameter. The geothermal water is too hot for soaking and must be mixed with cold water from nearby springs.

Public nudity is not allowed. Alcohol and marijuana are prohibited.

The natural hot springs in this area have served as a healing and rejuvenating retreat for Native Americans over centuries. The discovery of this remarkable spot is credited to hunter Bob Bagby, who, in the 1880s, not only found it but also used for therapeutic purposes.

In 1913, the guard station was erected near the hot springs, primarily for the purpose of fire patrol during the summer fire seasons.

In the 1920s, Forest Service employees built a bathhouse and cabins to utilize the benefits of the hot springs.

In 1974, a new guard station was built in Oak Grove, and the Bagby Guard station underwent renovations, earning a place on the National Register of Historic Places. However, public access to the building was restricted.

The bathhouse and cabins were actively used until the fire in 1979 which burned wooden structures to the ground. It happened because one of the bathers accidentally left candles burning. It took over 5 years to rebuild the original bathhouse, along with the additional bathhouses that now provide a great opportunity to use the incredible benefits of the Bagby's mineral hot water.