# Cougar Reservoir Hot Springs, Oregon

Cougar Reservoir Hot Springs in Oregon. 111°F (44°C). Roadside · Public Land. Lane County.

- Page: https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/oregon/cougar-reservoir-hot-springs
- Source: Soaking Springs, researched and maintained by Armen Suny
- Updated: 2026-09-14

## Can you soak at Cougar Reservoir Hot Springs?

The water leaves the ground at 111°F, a comfortable soaking temperature. You can drive right up to it. It's on US Forest Service land. We haven't confirmed whether it has a pool or charges a fee.

## Key facts

| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Source water temperature | 111°F (44°C) (USGS record; developed pools are often cooled) |
| Elevation | 1,745 ft |
| Access | Roadside · Public Land, 80 ft from the nearest road (Aufderheide Drive) |
| Land | Willamette National Forest, US Forest Service |
| County | Lane County |
| Nearest town | Oakridge |
| Coordinates | 44.08300, -122.23300 |
| Best months to soak | December, January, February (largest gap between water and average air temperature) |
| Nearest campground | SLIDE CREEK, 0.7 mi |

## About Cougar Reservoir Hot Springs

Wikipedia's title for this place is Terwilliger Hot Springs; the record calls it Cougar Reservoir Hot Springs, and Cougar Hot Springs is a third name. It is a set of geothermal pools within the Willamette National Forest, Lane County, Oregon, about 26 miles from Oakridge and, by Wikipedia's count, 53 miles east of Eugene. The water runs hot, at the upper edge of a comfortable soak. Open to the public on Forest Service ground.

The pools drain into Rider Creek, which feeds Cougar Reservoir. Aufderheide Drive, also known as Forest Service Road 19, is close. The record measures the spring at under a hundred feet from the road, while Wikipedia says about a quarter mile, so expect some walking. Low elevation, wet, with substantial winter snow. Slide Creek campground is under a mile away.

The Terwilliger name comes from Wikipedia's entry, which also lists Cougar Hot Springs. The record's own name ties it to the reservoir it drains toward. The USGS keeps it in its thermal inventory.

Winter, December through February, is when the record says to come. It is hot enough that you should ease in and get out if you feel light-headed. Camping at Slide Creek is very close. The record carries no fee, though check current Forest Service notices.

## Nearby

- Nearest city page: [Hot springs near Oakridge](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/near/oregon/oakridge), 0 mi away
- State page: [Hot springs in Oregon](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/oregon)
- [Foley Springs, OR](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/oregon/foley-springs): 178°F source, TDS 3,172 mg/L, Short Walk, near Oakridge, Lane County
- [Belknap Springs, OR](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/oregon/belknap-springs): 160°F source, pH 7.9, Short Walk, near Sisters, Deschutes County
- [Bigelow Hot Springs, OR](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/oregon/bigelow-hot-springs): 142°F source, pH 7.6, TDS 49 mg/L, Short Walk, near Sisters, Deschutes County
- [Wall Creek Warm Springs, OR](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/oregon/wall-creek-warm-springs): 106°F source, Short Walk, near Oakridge, Lane County
- [Mccredie Springs, OR](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/oregon/mccredie-springs): 163°F source, Roadside, near Oakridge, Lane County
- [Kitson Hot Springs, OR](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/oregon/kitson-hot-springs): 109°F source, Roadside, near Oakridge, Lane County

## Questions

**What is the water temperature at Cougar Reservoir Hot Springs?**
Cougar Reservoir Hot Springs has a water temperature of 111°F (44°C). This is considered a hot spring, well above body temperature.

**Where is Cougar Reservoir Hot Springs located?**
Cougar Reservoir Hot Springs is located in Lane County, Oregon at 1,745 feet elevation, near Oakridge. Coordinates: 44.0830°N, 122.2330°W.

**How do I get to Cougar Reservoir Hot Springs?**
Cougar Reservoir Hot Springs has Roadside road access, with the nearest road being Aufderheide Drive (80 ft from the road).

**Is Cougar Reservoir Hot Springs free to visit?**
Cougar Reservoir Hot Springs has Open access. It is managed by US Forest Service.

**Can I camp near Cougar Reservoir Hot Springs?**
Yes, Slide Creek is located nearby (0.7 miles away).

**Is it safe to soak at Cougar Reservoir Hot Springs?**
With care. At 111°F Cougar Reservoir Hot Springs is hot enough to need short sessions, fifteen to twenty minutes, and plenty of water. Enter slowly and get out if you feel light-headed.

## Sources

- USGS thermal springs records, Water Quality Portal lab analyses, OpenStreetMap, Wikipedia/Wikidata, NOAA climate normals
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terwilliger_Hot_Springs