Guide to visiting Umpqua Hot Springs in winter

Umpqua Hot Springs is one of Oregon’s most famous, and beautiful, hot springs. It’s also a great destination to visit in winter, but winter visitors need to be ready for some unique challenges (including a 4 mile hike!)! In our guide to visiting Umpqua Hot Springs in winter we’re sharing everything you need to know before planning a cold weather trip to these beautiful hot springs. 

How to get to Umpqua Hot Springs in winter 

Umpqua Hot Springs is located in Umpqua National Forest in southern Oregon. The hot springs are located about 2.5 hours east of Roseburg, Oregon, off of Highway 138. Highway 138 is paved and generally well-maintained in the winter. You’ll turn on to Forest Road NF-34 (Toketee-Ridgon Rd) and drive approximately 3 miles to the winter trailhead located here. The hot springs are open year-round, but the road beyond the winter trailhead may be closed during the winter months due to snow. If the road is closed, you’ll see a large metal gate crossing the road. This is where you will park your car to begin the 2.0 mile hike to the springs. 

Note that this area of Oregon gets snow and ice throughout the winter, so be prepared for slick or snowy conditions when driving. We always carry tire chains and a windshield ice scraper in our car this time of year. Aside from having a car that can handle winter conditions, you won’t need 4-wheel drive or high clearance to drive to the trailhead. 

All visitors are required to have a parking permit to park at the trailhead. You can find information on passes here. 

What to pack for visiting Umpqua Hot Springs

Below is a list of essentials to pack for visiting Umpqua Hot Springs in winter!

• Quick dry towel – great for drying off before you leave the hot spring. I recommend the Matador NanoDry.
• Waterproof sandals – I like the KEEN Newport H2 (for women and men), which have great traction and protect your feet from sharp rocks.
• A warm puffer jacket – I recommend the REI Magma 850 Down Hoodie (for women and men)
• A waterproof bag – you’ll want a dry spot to stash items like your phone, clothes, and towel. This waterproof duffle/backpack is a great option. The giant blue IKEA bags work well, too! 
• Water bottle – Stay hydrated, friends (and don’t drink the hot spring water!)
• Rain gear – You’re in the Pacific Northwest, so pack a jacket for rain/snow. I recommend this lightweight REI Flash (for women and men).

Other gear to consider: snowshoes (for deep snow) and crampons/microspikes (for ice).

What to expect on the hike to Umpqua Hot Springs

Getting to Umpqua Hot Springs is a bit of an adventure! In winter, the gate to the forest service road that leads to the springs is usually closed due to snow, which means that visitors need to hike 4 miles (round trip) to get to Umpqua Hot Springs. Below we share what to expect along the journey.

Once you’ve arrived at the trailhead (located off of North Umpqua Road), park your car and ensure all valuables are safely hidden out of sight. Last we were there, there was some broken window glass on the ground. Once you’re ready for the journey you’ll walk around the gate blocking Forest Service 3401 Road, which you’ll walk on for the next 1.6 miles. The nice thing is that it’s relatively flat, and you can’t really get lost! 

You know you’re getting close to the hot springs when you spot a parking lot on your left hand side. Located at the 1.6 mile mark, the parking lot is where you’ll find the area’s only bathroom, which is a pit toilet. This toilet is generally not maintained in the winter, so you may want to pack your own toilet paper. Please respect the site and pack out all trash – don’t leave it behind for the rangers to deal with! 

At the parking lot you’ll turn left and cross a famous ‘rainbow bridge’ that spans the north Umpqua River. From here you’ll follow the trail to the right, which will lead you up a surprisingly steep (and sometimes slippery) hill. This is the final push to the hot springs! After about a 0.5 mile walk along the trail, you’re pretty much there!

Everything you need to know about Umpqua Hot Springs

Umpqua Hot Springs is a series of naturally-occurring hot spring pools cascading down a hillside overlooking the North Umpqua River. There are several hot pools – some are small and will only fit a couple people, while other pools are larger and can fit about five people.

The pools higher up on the hill slope are generally much warmer than the pools farther down the hill; the pools closer to the river are cold. The hot spring pools up top tend to stay hot year-round, even when visiting Umpqua Hot Springs in winter.

The hot springs are first-come-first served, and they fill up quickly! We recommend getting there early! If you find yourself arriving during a busy time, and the pools are occupied, ask the occupants if you can join. Generally, people are very welcoming if you ask to share a pool. 

It is important to know that Umpqua Hot Springs is clothing optional. The times we’ve been, there have usually been a couple nude people. You are not expected to strip down – most people tend to wear bathing suits, while only a few wear birthday suits. 

How to Leave No Trace at Umpqua Hot Springs

Hot springs are incredibly unique and fragile natural resources. Below is a list of four particularly important Leave No Trace principles when visiting Umpqua Hot Springs in winter:

• Do not bring glass containers. If glass breaks, it can seriously harm people who are walking barefoot. If you wish to enjoy a beverage, it’s a safer choice to pack reusable water bottles or aluminum cans.
• Pack out all of your trash! Umpqua Hot Springs does not have trash cans on site. Keep these spaces clean to preserve the ecosystem and natural beauty. 
• Pack out your human waste! If you find yourself needing to go to the bathroom, it’s best to head back to the parking lot to use the pit toilet. If nature calls too soon, then pack out all of your waste in a wag bag. Leaving #2 behind can cause people to become very ill if it enters the hot spring water.
• Be respectful of others. Most people enjoy the serenity and relaxation at hot springs. Keep your conversations relatively quiet, and avoid creating a “party-like” atmosphere. 

I hope you found our guide helpful! Let us know if you end up visiting Umpqua Hot Springs in winter! If you visit Umpqua Hot Springs, I highly recommend extending your road trip to see Oregon’s Highway of Waterfalls! You can find more Oregon itineraries on our blog, and more Pacific Northwest travel content on our Instagram.