Breitenbush Hot Springs

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Category: Oregon, View All

Located within the boundaries of a 150+ acre wildlife sanctuary in the Willamette National Forest, Breitenbush hot springs is much more than just a blissful hot soak in the woods.

As if round the clock access to one of Oregon’s most amazing natural hot springs wasn’t enough, overnight guests also receive 3 vegetarian buffet meals each day and can opt to attend holistic yoga, EDGU and meditation programs.

Breitenbush is the largest private geothermal facility in the Pacific Northwest. It offers more than 20 miles of hiking trails, a meditative labyrinth, sanctuary, conference center, gift shop and a variety of overnight accommodations.

Due to its proximity within the mountains, and in line with their sustainability practices, Breitenbush is “off the grid”. Hydropower and geothermal energy provide electricity and heat for the property.

You will not find cell service, internet or TV here. Also, please note that alcohol, recreational drugs and pets are not permitted.

A visit to Breitenbush goes beyond your typical hot springs resort. Whether you come for the day or stay awhile, they offer you the opportunity to truly disconnect and commune with nature, your fellow humans and yourself.

Reservations are required.

Breitenbush Hot Springs Soaking Pools

Seven hot springs pools in two main areas grace soakers at Breitenbush. Behind the lodge, closer to the river are the Spiral Tubs. Four sunken concrete tubs of varying temperatures lie within a concrete deck beneath an open sky. There is a bench which is covered, to place your belongings.

Each pool comfortably seats four to six people. Along with the Spiral tubs is a mineral water cold plunge which has been cooled by means of copper pipes submerged in the river.

Another soaking option is the Sacred Meadow pools. Three river rock-lined pools overlook the Breitenbush River and forested ridgeline. The furthest of the three is reserved for silent contemplation, where no talking is allowed.

All pools range in temperature from 100 to 110 degrees and are clothing optional areas.

A small cedar cabin perched above a hot springs creek provides access to the Steam Sauna, which seats up to 12 people. On the deck sits a cold water tub perfect for plunging and refreshing!

Breitenbush Hot Springs Rates and Hours

Day use rates are $22-$38 per adult on a sliding scale. Children 5-12 are half the adult rate and children under 4 are free. Payment must be made in advance and is non-refundable.

Reservations must be made in advance.

Breitenbush Hot Springs Overnight Accommodations

Overnight guests are afforded the unique experience of enjoying a hot soak under the stars. Breitenbush offers a wide variety of overnight accommodations. One is sure to fit your style.

  • Outdoor Summer Tent Camping: Wooded sites to fit a medium sized tent. There are no picnic tables and fires are not permitted. Open from Memorial Day through the end of September.
  • Outdoor Summer Platform Tent Camping: Placed upon a covered wooden platform sits a generously sized tent which includes two foam camp mattresses and room for an additional mattress. Open from Memorial Day through the end of September.
  • Personal Vehicle Site: For the wanderer who sleeps in their van or truck camper. There are no hook-ups, and these spaces do not accommodate pull-behind trailers. Open seasonally from early May through October
  • Geothermal Heated Rustic Cabins: 2 or 3 bedrooms, only some cabins have their own bathroom and plumbing. Each cabin comes with at least one full sized bed. Other beds may be twins or bunk beds.
  • Dorm Cabin: There is one dorm cabin for women and a separate dorm cabin for men. Each one has two bunk beds and does not have bathrooms. The women’s and men’s bathhouses are close by.
  • Lodge Rooms: Located in the historic lodge are two small lodge rooms, each with a double bed.

Please note that visitors are responsible for bringing their own bedding. Bedding and towels are available for rent. FYI, there are no phone/Internet access or cellular signals at Breitenbush… just you and mother nature.

Three organic vegetarian buffet-style meals are provided for all overnight guests which are included in the nightly rate.

Lodging Fees
Tent and Personal Vehicle rates range from $77-$86/night.
Dorm and Platform Tent rates range from $72-$100/might depending on the time of year.
Cabins and Lodge Room rates range from $75-$169/might depending on the time of year.

Breitenbush Hot Springs Facilities

Throughout the year Breitenbush Hot Springs plays host to over 150 celebrations, conferences and workshops. Their facilities feature the following:

  • Steam sauna and massage
  • Historic lodge with spacious decks
  • Sanctuary for meditation, reflection and yoga
  • Artisan and book gift shop
  • Library
  • Hiking trails
  • Stone labyrinth
  • Forest shelter
  • Cedar river yurt
  • Buddha’s Playhouse
  • Monthly Inipi Ceremony (sweat lodge)
  • Conference room

Breitenbush History Lesson

Native Americans were the first to enjoy the many benefits of Breitenbush hot springs. They would come from hundreds of miles to fish, hunt, pick berries and utilize the springs for ritual purification and healing.

In 1873 John Minto led an expedition to the North Santiam Canyon and met a one-armed hunter, John Breightenbush, along the way. The hot springs now bear this man’s name.

Breitenbush holds a colorful history amongst its trees and mountains. Having changed hands multiple times, it experienced a sort of rebirth in 1977 when Alex Beamer bought the land. His aim was to create an intentional community to operate a retreat and conference center.

Many years were spent restoring the property. People were invited to join in the restoration, and in 1981 the Breitenbush reopened for those seeking to participate in personal retreats, workshops and celebrations.

In 1985 the community which had come together to care for this special place purchased the land from Alex Beamer and hence the Breitenbush cooperative corporation was born. Community members and friends have reclaimed more than 20 miles of trails available to the public. More than 35 years have passed and Breitenbush hot springs and its community are thriving.

Breitenbush Hot Springs Soak Stats:

Season: All
Type: Roadside
GPS: 44.782 121.975
Map Quad: BREITENBUSH HOT SPRINGS 15
Elevation: 2,225 ft
Land: Private (Commercial)
Fee: Yes – Check current rates and/or make reservations
Restrictions: Reservations Required
Usage: High
Visibility: Moderate
Temp: Varies/pool
Water Clarity: Clear
Odor: n/a
pH: n/a
Area Features: Breitenbush River
Closest Food/Gas: Detroit
Trash: Low
Bugs: Moderate
Wildlife: Moderate
Camping: Paid on-site (summer only)
Clothing Optional: Yes
Pit Toilet: Yes

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How to Collect Spring Water

Drinking pure spring water is one of the most important things we can do for our health. Our bodies are over 99% water at the molecular level, so water affects every aspect of our biology. Yet, not all water is created equal. Almost all the bottled spring water available is pasteurized for shelf stability, which neutralizes many of the powerful health benefits such as increased hydrogen, healthy probiotics, and crystalline structure. For more about why unprocessed spring water is the best water to drink, read this.

The best way to guarantee you are getting real unprocessed spring water is to collect it yourself. This is a short and simple guide filled with information about how to gather spring water. We will cover how to find a spring, how to collect the water, how to honor the spring, how to store the water properly and other tips.

FindASpring.org is the best resource for locating a spring near you. However, not all springs are on the map. First, check the map to see if there is a spring in your local area. If there is, look at the reviews and comments. Has anyone shared helpful information about flow rate or posted a water test result? Is the spring in a pristine area? Do a bit of research and make sure the spring is safe to drink from. If you have any doubt about the purity, don’t risk it and get a water test, HERE. If you don’t see a spring on the map in your area, there still might be some that aren’t listed yet. First, ask the older generation who have lived in your area a long time if they know. You can also ask people in your community who might already get spring water such as people at a health food store or at a farmers market. Another great option is to view A US forest service map, where many springs have been marked. You can view these maps through the Gaia GPS or All Trails hiking apps on your phone. The map overlay you want is USGS Topo. Not all are easily accessible or ideal for drinking, but some are and it can be a fun adventure to find them. We have found over half a dozen great springs this way.

Once you’ve found your spring, figure out how you are going to gather the water. Is it right on the side of the road and easy to access or do you have to hike to it? We recommend storing spring water in glass instead of plastic to preserve the purity of the water. It is better for the environment, your body, and the water. Even BPA free plastic has toxic chemicals that can leach into water and cause health issues. If you do want to use plastic for safety reasons when filling at the spring, we recommend transferring the water to glass as soon as possible. FindASpring is sponsored by Alive Waters, which offers beautiful reusable glass. They have a 2.5 gallon option, which is a convenient size for carrying that isn’t too heavy. They also sell handles that you can use to transport the jugs even more easily. If you have to hike to access the spring, we recommend putting the water jugs into an extra large backpack to hike the water out with ease. We use Osprey packs that hold 2 jugs each. You can also use a wheelbarrow or even a stroller depending on how easy a walk it is.

Filling 2.5 Gallon Alive Waters Jug

When you get to the spring, remember to first give back before you take. Springs are considered sacred in indigenous cultures around the world for their life giving water and also as a connection to the inner earth. A powerful and simple way to give back is to clean up. Is there any trash that needs to be collected? Could you move any dead leaves or sticks to improve the flow rate? Show up in service. Some other wonderful ways to give is with a moment of expressing verbal gratitude, singing songs to the water, offering the water an ethically sourced crystal, a feather, or some other physical gift. Flowers are a popular and beautiful thing to offer, but please be careful to source organic ones as most flowers from the store are sprayed with pesticides and can be toxic to put near a spring. Also, flowers can attract bugs as they decay, so it can be best to offer them to the flowing water directly or a little downstream from the spring head.

When gathering the water, fill the jug as close to the spring head as possible, never gather downstream. Be very careful as wet glass is extremely slippery. Make sure the lid is securely fastened. When transporting the spring water home, the jugs can sometimes slide around the car. Secure them in place or wrap them with towels or something so they don’t crash into each other.

How you store your spring water is essential. It is not pasteurized like spring water from the store, so it will start growing algae if left in direct sunlight. This is good because it means it’s alive! If the water you drink can’t even support the most basic life forms, how do you think it will support your body? Store your water in a cool, dark place such as a dark corner, pantry or closet. The fridge is ideal if you have room. Some people prefer to filter their water through a Berkey filter before drinking, but if the spring is pure, it’s not necessary. We drink our spring water completely unfiltered.

How long the water stays good for depends on how cold a temperature it’s stored at. Spring water is best fresh. We personally do not prefer to drink spring water past 2 weeks old. However, we know other people that will drink it at a month old. It’s great to get in a rhythm where you know how long the water lasts you and put your collection day on the calendar in advance.

I believe that water is calling us to reconnect with her in the deepest way, to gather our own water. Just like our ancestors did. Our ancestors didn’t have fancy water machines. They also didn’t create villages or settle where there was no water. Water was revered as the center of the community and the nodal point around which life could spiral out and take root.

Here’s to restoring the sacred connection with the waters of life.

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