Kitson Hot Springs
Kitson Hot Springs flows at 109°F within Willamette National Forest at 1,664 feet elevation, positioned just 17 meters from Forest Road 23. The roadside spring registers 58 degrees above ambient in a climate receiving 57 inches of precipitation and 114 inches of annual snow near Oakridge.
The spring emerges in dense conifer forest where Douglas fir, western hemlock, and western red cedar thrive under heavy Pacific moisture delivery. This western Cascade slope averages 52°F annually with precipitation concentrated in winter months, maintaining snowpack that persists into late spring. Hills Creek Reservoir lies 5 kilometers south where Packard Creek Campground occupies lakeside terrain among tall trees.
Visit July through October after heavy snowmelt subsides. Forest Road 23 may close during winter months due to snow accumulation. The spring's roadside position eliminates hiking but conditions can be wet given the heavy precipitation regime. Packard Creek Campground provides reservable sites 5 kilometers south with lake access for boating and fishing.
The Kitson name likely references early Forest Service personnel or local families, though specific documentation remains limited. The spring has remained undeveloped under Forest Service management, accessible to visitors seeking natural thermal features. Protection status 3 indicates multiple-use management balancing recreation with forest resource objectives on this federal land.
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Overview Packard Creek is a popular campground on the western side of Hills Creek Reservoir. The family-friendly destination offers a picturesque setting among tall trees, with views of the lake beyond. Most of the campground is accessible.Recreation Larison Creek Trail is excellent for mountain biking, horseback riding and hiking. It meanders along Larison Cove and Larison Creek, through lush vegetation of hemlock, Douglas fir and red cedar. Visitors also enjoy boating, swimming and fishin...
Kitson Hot Springs is road-accessible, so you can bring more gear.
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