McCredie Hot Springs is one of those rare places that feels like a secret even when you’re standing in it. Tucked into the Willamette National Forest near the small logging town of Oakridge in Lane County, McCredie sits right alongside a rushing mountain creek — close enough that you can hear the cold water churning while you sink into the warm pools just feet away. It’s free, it’s primitive, it’s beautiful, and it’s the kind of hot spring that makes Oregon one of the best soaking destinations in the country.
If you’re planning a visit, this guide covers everything you need to know about the experience — what the springs are actually like, when to go, how to prepare, what to expect from the culture and vibe, and how to make the most of your time in this corner of the Oregon Cascades.
What Makes McCredie Special
Oregon is blessed with an extraordinary density of hot springs, but McCredie occupies a particular spot in the state’s soaking culture. It’s accessible enough that you don’t need a serious off-road vehicle or a full day of hiking to get there, yet it still rewards you with a genuine primitive experience — natural rock and earth pools, no concrete, no infrastructure, no ticket booth. Just geothermally heated water seeping up through the ground in one of the most serene forest settings you’ll find in the Pacific Northwest.
The springs sit at the edge of Salt Creek, and the juxtaposition is part of what makes McCredie so memorable. Geothermal heat from deep underground meets snowmelt-fed mountain water. The warm pools are tucked right into the bank, separated from the cold creek by just a thin strip of earth. On a warm summer afternoon, brave souls rotate between the hot springs and the frigid creek — a contrast soak that’s become a ritual for regulars. In winter and early spring, when steam rises off the pools and the trees are draped in mist, the whole scene takes on an otherworldly quality.
Unlike many of Oregon’s other well-known primitive springs, McCredie doesn’t require an overnight commitment or a long backcountry push. It’s a genuine day-trip-friendly destination, which is both its strength and its weakness — in peak season, it draws a crowd. But that also means it’s accessible to a wide range of visitors, from solo soakers who drive up after work to families spending a long weekend in the Cascades.
The Springs: What to Expect on the Ground
McCredie is a primitive spring, which means the pools are shaped by nature and community rather than any formal development. Over the years, regular visitors have arranged rocks to define several soaking areas of varying warmth, and the character of those pools shifts subtly with the seasons as water levels, rainfall, and geothermal output all fluctuate.
There are typically a handful of soaking spots along the creek bank, each with its own microclimate. Some are hotter, some are cooler, and the mixing of groundwater and creek seepage creates natural temperature gradients that let you dial in your comfort level. Coming in early morning or during the week gives you the best chance of having a pool to yourself — and the misty forest atmosphere makes those quiet sessions feel particularly special.
The pools are shallow by nature. You’re sitting in a natural basin, not a developed pool with benches or steps. Bring sandals or water shoes for navigating the rocky entry — the streamside terrain is uneven, and the rocks under your feet can be slippery with algae in summer. The ground around the pools is soft and can be muddy after rain. This is Oregon, so muddy boots are part of the deal.
The creek itself is right there, which means the ambient experience changes completely depending on water levels. In late summer when flows are low, the creek feels almost calm and the pools can run warmer. In spring when snowmelt is pushing through, the creek roars and the cool air keeps things brisk even in the pools. Both versions are worth experiencing.
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Clothing and Culture
McCredie has a long history as a clothing-optional spring, and that culture is alive and well today. You’ll encounter a wide range of people — some in swimsuits, some not — and the vibe is almost universally relaxed and respectful. It’s the kind of place that attracts people who are serious about soaking and not particularly interested in making others uncomfortable. If you’re new to clothing-optional spaces, McCredie is actually a gentle introduction: no pressure, no judgment, and a strong community norm of treating the pools as a peaceful, shared resource.
That said, peak summer weekends can bring a different energy. The combination of warm weather, easy access, and word-of-mouth popularity means McCredie occasionally draws larger crowds, and larger crowds mean more variation in how people show up. Reading the crowd when you arrive and calibrating your own comfort level is the right approach.
For a deeper look at navigating clothing-optional hot springs culture with confidence, the Soakr guide to clothing-optional hot springs is a great primer before your first visit.
Getting to McCredie Hot Springs
McCredie sits along a highway corridor southeast of Oakridge, making it one of the more straightforwardly accessible primitive springs in Oregon. You won’t need a high-clearance vehicle, you won’t need to ford a creek to park, and you won’t spend an hour on a forest road hoping you’re going the right direction. It’s a roadside spring in the truest sense — there’s a pullout, a short walk down to the creek, and then you’re there.
That ease of access is worth keeping in mind when you’re planning your visit. Because the approach is simple, McCredie is popular. If you arrive on a Saturday afternoon in July and find the pullout packed and a dozen people in the pools, that’s par for the course. If you want space and solitude, early mornings, weekday visits, and shoulder-season timing are your best strategies.
Oakridge is the nearest town — a small, authentic mountain community that serves as a hub for trail runners, mountain bikers, and outdoor types who’ve discovered that the central Oregon Cascades are vastly underrated. If you’re driving from Eugene, Oakridge makes a natural stopping point for fuel, coffee, and provisions before continuing to the springs.
Best Time to Visit
Oregon’s seasons shape the McCredie experience dramatically, and there’s no single “best” time — it depends on what kind of soak you’re after.
Summer (June through September)
Peak season brings the warmest weather, the most visitors, and the most reliable conditions. The pools can run slightly cooler as warm-season water tables fluctuate, but summer soaking at McCredie is still excellent. Mornings are the golden window — arrive before 9 AM and you’ll often have the place largely to yourself. By midday on summer weekends, expect company.
Summer is also prime time for the hot-cold contrast experience. The creek runs lower and clearer in late summer, making it easier to slip in for a quick cold plunge before retreating to the warmth of the pools. It’s an invigorating practice that regular soakers swear by for circulation and that post-soak glow. You can read more about the science behind that feeling in Soakr’s overview of the health benefits of hot springs.
Fall (October through November)
Fall is arguably the most beautiful time to visit McCredie. The Big Leaf Maples and cottonwoods along Salt Creek go yellow and orange, the crowds thin significantly, and the pools tend to run warmer as cooler air lowers the ambient temperature. There’s a stillness to fall soaking in Oregon that’s hard to describe — it’s quieter, more internal, and feels genuinely restorative rather than recreational.
Weather can turn quickly in October, so check forecasts before you go and bring layers. Rain is not unusual, but soaking in light rain in a forest hot spring is one of those experiences that’s miserable to anticipate and magical in practice.
Winter (December through March)
Winter soaking at McCredie is for the committed and the cold-tolerant. The drive can be icy, the walk to the pools is muddy and cold, and getting from your car to the water requires a certain psychological commitment. But if you make it, you’ll likely have the springs almost entirely to yourself, and the experience of soaking in hot water while the forest is wet and cold around you is deeply satisfying.
Snow is possible but not guaranteed at this elevation. Always check road conditions before making the drive in winter, and tell someone where you’re going.
Spring (April through May)
Spring is a transitional period. Snowmelt swells Salt Creek, which can make the pools cooler and the immediate surroundings wetter. The forest is extraordinarily green and alive, and the crowds haven’t yet arrived. Late May, as things dry out and warm up, is a sweet spot that many Oregon soakers consider the best-kept secret in the Cascades calendar.
What to Bring
Packing for a primitive hot spring visit is different from packing for a developed resort, and McCredie has a few quirks worth preparing for.
Footwear: Water shoes or sandals you don’t mind getting dirty. The terrain between the parking area and the pools is uneven, and you’ll be walking on wet rocks and mud.
Towel and dry clothes: Obvious, but worth emphasizing — a warm, dry layer for the walk back to your car makes a significant difference in how the afternoon ends, especially in fall and winter.
Water: Bring more than you think you need. Hot soaking is dehydrating, and there’s no drinking water at the site. A liter minimum per person; more if it’s warm.
Trash bag: McCredie operates on pack-in, pack-out principles. The site has no waste facilities, so anything you bring — food wrappers, beverage containers, everything — goes back in your bag. The springs are only as pristine as the collective care of the people who visit them, and leaving trash at a primitive hot spring is one of the fastest ways to erode access and goodwill.
Timing buffer: Don’t plan the springs as the first stop on a tight schedule. The pace of life at a primitive hot spring doesn’t cooperate with rigid timelines, and you’ll want time to settle in, wait out the crowd if needed, and enjoy the soak without watching a clock.
Hot Springs Etiquette at McCredie
McCredie’s primitive, clothing-optional nature means the social norms are a bit different from a resort spa, and getting them right makes the experience better for everyone.
Give people space. If every pool is occupied when you arrive, wait at a respectful distance rather than hovering. Regulars will notice and appreciate it.
No photography without consent. This is the cardinal rule at any clothing-optional space, and it’s non-negotiable at McCredie. Keep your phone in your bag unless you’re photographing the forest scenery — and even then, be aware of who might be in the frame.
Keep noise moderate. The pools attract people seeking quiet and restoration. Conversation is totally normal, but the big speaker and party energy belong somewhere else.
Leave the pools as you found them. Don’t rearrange rocks, don’t bring soap or shampoo (it affects the chemistry of the water and the downstream ecosystem), and don’t leave any trace of your visit.
For a comprehensive look at hot springs etiquette across all types of springs, the Soakr hot springs etiquette guide covers the full range of situations you might encounter.
Exploring More of Oregon’s Hot Springs
McCredie is a fantastic introduction to Oregon’s primitive soaking scene, but it’s just one entry in an extraordinary catalog. Oregon’s hot springs range from backcountry wilderness destinations that require serious multi-day commitments to accessible roadside gems like McCredie itself.
Umpqua Hot Springs
Also in Southern Oregon’s Cascade corridor, Umpqua Hot Springs sits in a dramatically different setting — perched on a hillside above the North Umpqua River inside a wooden shelter. The approach involves a short hike through old-growth forest, and the views from the pools are spectacular. It’s managed by the Forest Service and operates under a reservation system during peak season, so planning ahead is essential.
Terwilliger Hot Springs (Cougar Hot Springs)
Located in the Willamette National Forest near McKenzie Bridge — closer to Eugene than McCredie — Terwilliger is perhaps Oregon’s most famous primitive hot spring. A series of tiered pools descends through a forested canyon, each slightly cooler than the one above. The permit system now controls access and has helped preserve the quality of the experience. See Soakr’s complete guide to Terwilliger Hot Springs for everything you need to plan a visit.
Bagby Hot Springs
Bagby, in the Mount Hood National Forest northeast of Salem, is famous for its hand-hewn log tubs inside a rustic bathhouse — a singular experience in the American hot springs world. The hike in through old-growth forest is part of what makes Bagby feel like a true destination rather than a roadside stop.
Oregon is home to over 170 hot springs in the Soakr database, from developed resorts to remote backcountry pools that see only a handful of visitors each year. Explore the full map and filter by type, difficulty, and proximity at the Oregon hot springs guide.
Want GPS directions, current community conditions, and the full list of Oregon hot springs? Download Soakr free for iOS
Camping Near McCredie
For those who want to extend the experience into a full weekend, the area around Oakridge and the upper Willamette Valley offers excellent camping options. The Willamette National Forest has dispersed camping available throughout much of the corridor, and several developed campgrounds sit within a short drive of the springs.
Pairing a primitive camp with a McCredie soak is one of those experiences that rewards planning. Waking up, brewing coffee over a camp stove, and making the short drive to the springs before anyone else has arrived — the pools still steaming in the cool morning air — is the kind of thing that turns a one-time visit into an annual tradition.
For more on planning a hot-spring-centered camping trip in Oregon and beyond, the Soakr guide to hot springs camping covers the logistics in detail.
A Few Honest Notes on McCredie’s Popularity
It would be doing you a disservice to paint McCredie as a hidden gem in 2026. It isn’t. It shows up on hiking blogs, Reddit threads, and Instagram geotags regularly, and on summer weekends it can feel like a small city has set up camp along Salt Creek. That doesn’t diminish what McCredie is — it’s still a genuinely special place — but it does mean you should plan your visit with realistic expectations.
The people who love McCredie most are often the ones who’ve figured out when NOT to go: not Saturday afternoon in August, not holiday weekends, not the first warm weekend of the year when every Oregonian who’s been cooped up through a long winter decides today is the day. Go on a Tuesday in October. Go at dawn in July. Go in the rain. The spring rewards the people who treat it with a little intention.
And when you get there and the pools are empty and the creek is singing and the forest smells like rain and earth and cedar — you’ll understand why people keep coming back.
Plan Your McCredie Visit with Soakr
McCredie Hot Springs and more than 2,000 other hot springs across the US are fully documented in the Soakr app — with GPS directions, offline maps, community check-ins, current conditions, and filters to find exactly the type of soak you’re looking for. Whether you’re planning a solo day trip from Eugene, a weekend loop through the Oregon Cascades, or building a multi-state soaking itinerary, Soakr has the information you need in one place.
McCredie Hot Springs, all 170+ Oregon springs, and 2,000+ more across the US are waiting in the Soakr app. Get GPS directions, community reviews, temperature data, and offline maps — everything the article couldn’t tell you.