It’s a strange thing for anyone to own a piece of nature, but it’s our current reality that most hot springs are either ‘owned’ privately or managed by a government organization.
I have found that wild, or primitive, hot springs are my favorite from hundreds of thermal baths I’ve taken across the world. Usually these are on forest service land and most of the time they are free.
Occasionally there will be a cash fee, like Terwilliger Hot Springs located in Oregon’s Willamette National Forest. So, I encourage hot springs hoppers to do research before and bring cash just in case.
It’s important to acknowledge that many hot springs we know and love today are on native land. Beyond a written honoring, I find ways to tap into the local community, talk to nearby native communities, and thank the land for her healing powers.
🌿 Indigenous Stewardship of Hot Springs 🌿
Many indigenous groups around the world have historical and legal claims to hot springs, often considering them sacred healing sites. Here are a few of my favorites on native land:
📍 Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs (Oregon, USA)
➡️ Own & manage Kah-Nee-Ta Hot Springs, a resort on their reservation.
➡️ Bagby Hot Springs in Mount Hood National Forest is on Warm Springs land but in a trust managed under a partnership between the U.S. Forest Service (USFS).
Breitenbush Hot Springs, located in the Willamette National Forest in Oregon, has a rich history of Indigenous use, primarily by the Kalapuya and Molalla tribes. These tribes used these waters for healing and ceremonial purposes thousands of years before European settlers arrived.
Now a retreat center, I learned that Breitenbush offers nearby tribes to use the grounds for ceremony.
Hot Springs Managed by the U.S. Forest Service
These are a few of dozens of wild hot springs managed by the forest service. Usually there are free camping spots at the trailheads or nearby, making these my favorite for sunrise soaks.
🌲 Pacific Northwest
📍 Umpqua Hot Springs (OR) – Umpqua NF | Cliffside pools with stunning views
🌄 California
📍 Deep Creek Hot Springs – San Bernardino NF | Remote pools several hours from LA
📍 Mammoth Lakes | Wild Willie’s and surrounding pools
🏞️ Idaho
📍 Kirkham Hot Springs – Boise NF | Steamy riverside pools
📍 Goldbug Hot Springs – Salmon-Challis NF | A rewarding hike to a scenic soak
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) oversees several hot springs across the U.S., primarily on public lands in the Western states. These springs are often remote, natural, and free to access, though some may have minimal facilities or conservation efforts in place. Here are some notable BLM-managed hot springs:
🏜️ Nevada
📍Black Rock Hot Springs – Located in the Black Rock Desert, known for its hot pools near the Burning Man site.
📍Trego Hot Springs – A long, narrow geothermal trench in Northern Nevada.
🌄 Idaho
📍Jerry Johnson Hot Springs – In North-Central Idaho, featuring beautiful forested pools.
🌵 California
📍Saline Valley Warm Springs – Inside Death Valley National Park, but managed under BLM and NPS regulations due to its unique history.
🌅 Utah
📍Fifth Water Hot Springs (Diamond Fork) – Though primarily in Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest, the surrounding access trails include BLM land.
🛑 Rules & Guidelines:
✅ Pack out trash | ✅ Respect nature (no rock/tree carvings) | ✅ Be prepared
🚫 No soap in water | 🚫 No glass containers | 🚫 Avoid damaging pools
The Future of Hot Springs
…is in all of our hands. Seriously, with big budget cuts and forest service firings, we all need to be picking up trash and helping keep these healing hubs open.
My dream is to co-own a hot springs retreat center that first focuses on caring for the land.
Feel free to send me a message if you ever want to talk hot springs, get some tips on where to go soak, or get in on this hot springs dream.
Leave a Reply