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Wall Creek Hot Springs in Oregon really surprised me. Picture a calming riverside pool surrounded by lush forest and you’ll start to picture this gorgeous place. In this guide I’ll tell you everything you need to know to have a lovely visit at this meditation pool.

Land Acknowledgement: Molalla and Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde Find what Native Land you are visiting by using the app Native Land! I encourage you to read the history and culture of the Indigenous people who’s land you are visiting! Consider visiting nearby cultural centers and seeking out other ways to financially support Indigenous People.

Photography in Collaboration with Johnathon DeSoto and Logan Marie

Know Before You Go: Hot Springs Etiquette

First, let’s brush up on Hot Spring etiquette. Maybe you’ve been to a few hot springs, but you might learn something new that can help keep these hot springs around longer for everyone to enjoy!

Read my Hot Springs Etiquette Guide HERE. Comment if you think anything needs to be added, I would love your opinion!

In summary:

• Leave No Trace
• Clothing Optional
• No Glass
• What goes in a pool, stays in a pool (so, DON’T bathe or urinate in these)
• Watch out for trash/glass (wear protective footwear down to the pools)
• Be polite and keep your noise to a normal level.

About Wall Creek Hot Springs

Wall Creek Hot Springs in Oregon is located within the Willamette National Forest and is known for being a Meditation Pool. This meditation pool lies along Wall Creek, hence the name Wall Creek Hot Springs. A short lovely trail through old growth forest takes you to these creekside pools.

Size of the Hot Springs

The Hot Springs consist of one main oval shaped pool that is approximately 10 feet by 12 feet and roughly 3 feet deep. The pool bottom is a soft dirt or silt.

Temperature of Wall Creek Hot Springs

The main pool at Wall Creek is approximately 95 degrees Fahrenheit. It is just hot enough to stay comfortable when visiting in colder weather, but just cool enough that getting out of it is a bit painful if it’s chilly.

Is There a Second Pool??

When I visited, it seems as if a second pool was created just behind the main pool and is larger than the last time my friend had visited these hot springs.

I tested it out for the group and immediately regretted it. The second pool is very chilly and slimy. I do not recommend it unless you want a cold plunge pool. I could definitely see this being nice in the Summer, but not in October when we went.

Getting to Wall Creek Hot Springs near Eugene Oregon

To get to Wall Creek 3582 (Meditation Pool), you will need to navigate to Warm Springs Trail near Oakridge, Oregon.

• Distance from Eugene, Oregon: 1.5 hours
• From Portland, Oregon: 3 hours
• Distance from Bend, Oregon: 2.5 hours

I recommend navigating through AllTrails directions if this is your first time

Coordinates to Wall Creek Hot Springs: 43.8027945, -122.3103491

Directions to Warm Springs Trailhead for Wall Creek Hot Springs

From Eugene, Oregon get on I-105 E. Take exit 4A to merge onto I-5 S toward Roseburg. Next take exit 188 for OR-58 toward Oakridge/Klamath Falls.

Turn Left onto Crestview St in Oakridge, and a right on E 1st Street. Continue on to Salmon Creek Road, and then turn left onto NF-1934. The parking lot/trailhead is .5 miles on the left hand side.

The Trail to Wall Creek Hot Springs

The small parking area could fit up to 6 cars if people park properly. When we went on a Sunday morning, we were the only ones.

Hot Spring Trail Details

• 0.6 miles Round Trip
• Out and Back Trail
• Dogs Okay on Leash
• Rated Easy
• 100 Feet Elevation Gain

From the Warm Springs Trailhead, Warm Springs Trail is about 0.6 miles Round Trip and is an Out & Back Trail. It is rated easy with around 100 feet elevation gain.

It is a beautiful trail through a lush old growth forest and is great for bird watching! When visiting, an owl swooped in and stared at us from a branch across the creek. It was pretty eerie, but lovely.

The trail was closed summer of 2021 due to wildfires in the area, but is now reopened (October 10th, 2021). We verified with the Ranger Station before visiting.

Check for Closures at Hot Springs

Between the pandemic and wildfires, it is important to check the status of any hot springs or trails before visiting.

Call the nearby Ranger Stations:

Supervisor: 541-225-6300

Detroit Ranger Station: 503-854-3366

Are There Fees to Visit Wall Creek Hot Springs?

There are no fees or passes required to visit Wall Creek Warm Springs. This Hot Springs is not managed, so it is important that you leave no trace and respect the environment.

What Time of Year is Best to Visit These Oregon Hot Springs?

Wall Creek Hot Springs is open year round, however the roads to get there are not maintained for snow and ice in the winter, so be sure to read reports on AllTrails or closely follow weather for Oakridge, Oregon.

I went in Early October and it was perfect for me. There was Fall color, no snow and it wasn’t busy at all. We were the only group there in the morning. I think in general early-late Fall is the most scenic time of year to visit hot springs in Oregon.

Winter can be beautiful with snow on the ground at the hot spring, but it can be harder to plan and predict as the roads could be too snowed in.

Summer can be tricky to plan due to wildfire season. This area was recently closed due to wildfire activity nearby, but you cannot see any fire damage on the trail or at the Hot Springs themselves.

What Days and Time of Day is Best?

In general, if you can go during the week vs the weekend, you’ll have less crowds of people. This Hot Spring had just recently opened back up when I went and I went at sunrise on a Sunday morning and we had it all to ourselves.

Since there is only one medium sized pool, I could see it getting crowded easily and quickly. Another tip would be to go on a rainy day. Less people venture out when the see rain in the forecast, and this was also in our favor.

Getting up early is definitely not my favorite thing in the world, but it is generally the best time if you are wanting a chance at a private hot spring experience.

Where to Stay When Visiting Wall Creek?

Wall Creek Hot Springs is for day use only, so NO overnights are allowed. We found a nearby forest road that was perfect for our group of 4. Not familiar with finding forest roads and places to camp?

Check out my guide on finding camping:

Nearby Destinations in Oregon

If you’re interested in doing a hot springs tour in this area check out my other blog posts:

If you’re interested in more destinations than just hot springs check out my ultimate Oregon road trip guide:

Summary

Wall Creek Hot Springs, while it is not the hottest hot spring that I visited on this trip, it was definitely the most scenic and least crowded. Seeing an owl while soaking was also such a bonus!

If you get the chance to visit for a couple hours, I highly recommend making a stop.

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