Belknap Hot Springs Lodge & Gardens | Cascades

Belknap Hot Springs is a historic spring resort is located in the western foothills of the Cascade Mountains in the Willamette National Forest. The resort offers lodging and camping on the bank of the scenic McKenzie River.

Originally called "Pools of Salome" and "Siloam Springs", the hot springs were used by Native Americans for religious ceremonies, healing and rejuvenating practices. According to archaeological finds, this site was utilized for more than 8,000 years.

The first European explorers and settlers found and described this hot springs area in 1854.

In 1869, Rollin S. Belknap claimed the springs and land across the river with plans to build a health spa. In 1874, the resort facilities under the name “Salt Springs” were opened to the public.

In 1891, the name of the hot springs was changed to Belknap Springs in honor of the first proprietor and the resort developer.

Since 1874, Belknap Hot Springs has been almost continuously open to the public, except for a period of time between 1968 and 1978.

Belknap Hot Springs Features

The scalding water of the springs' source is near the boiling point, between 185°F and 196°F. The water is pumped across the river into a reservoir that, also, plays the role of a heat exchanger, supplying the resort facilities with geothermal energy. After the mineral water in the reservoir is cooled down to a comfortable temperature, it is piped into the outdoor pools.

There are two mineral swimming pools. The lower large pool on the bank of the river is open to all resort guests daily from 9 am to 9 pm. The nice smaller upper pool is reserved mainly for people who stay overnight and it is open until 10 pm. The temperature of outdoor pools is kept at 92°F in summers and 102°F in winters. Several lodge rooms have their own indoor Jacuzzi tubs supplied with the hot springs water.

The Belknap resort features a great landscape with large grassy areas, flowers, sculptures, and the romantic Secret Garden with ancient stile like columns and cascading small waterfalls.

The footbridge across the river takes you to the source of the springs. From this point, you will find a network of hiking and biking trails including the 27-mile McKenzie River Trail that winds along the McKenzie River and pass Tamolich Blue Pool, Sahalie and Koosah Falls, old lava flows, and Clear Lake.

In the summer, the river provides great opportunities for fishing and white rafting. In the winter, recreation activities including skiing, snowshoeing, sledding, and snowmobiling are available nearby.

Open: Year-round; The lower pool is opened from 9 am to 9 pm; The upper pool (overnight guests only) from 9 am to 10 pm
Managed by: Private Property

Development: Resort, two outdoor pools, & gardens
Amenities: Changing rooms, restrooms, picnic tables, & a small store
Activities: Soaking, hiking, fishing, & rafting
Accommodations: Lodge, guest cabins, tent and RV sites
Clothing: Required

Distance from parking: Short
Road Access: Any vehicle
Day-use fees: Yes

Elevation: 1,700 ft (518 m)

Belknap Hot Springs is located:

58 miles east of Eugene
105 miles southeast of Salem
151 miles southeast of Portland.

Water T° (sources): 185°F (85°C) - 196°F (91°C)
Water T° (pools): 92°F (33°C) - 102°F (39°C)
Water acidity level: Neutral (pH=7.62)
Type of the springs: Sodium Chloride
Flow Rate: 75 gallon/min (285 l/min)
Chemical used: Water is treated with chlorine

Average dissolved solids: 2,650 Mg/L

Chloride - 1,300 Mg/L
Sodium - 690 Mg/L
Calcium - 210 Mg/L
Sulfur - 170 Mg/L
Silica - 96 Mg/L
Bromine - 33 Mg/L
Carbonate - 19 Mg/L
Potassium - 15 Mg/L
Boron - 6.4 Mg/L
Fluorine - 1.2 Mg/L
Lithium - 0.95 Mg/L
Magnesium - 0.2 Mg/L