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McCredie Hot Springs is located near Oakridge, Oregon, not far from Eugene, Oregon. There is a cluster of small natural thermal pools along both sides of the highway (Interstate 58). The site is in the Willamette National Forest, about 9 miles southeast of Oakridge at Salt Creek. The site is traditionally nude and is about a mile from a campground.
DIRECTIONS: To get to the north bank of the pools from Oakridge, go southeast on Interstate 58 to mile marker 45, turn right (south) into a large truck park near the creek and walk upstream. To get to the south bank of the pools from Oakridge, go about a half mile further east on I-58, turn right across the bridge and stay right on Forest Service Road 5875. Park at the first curve, walk to the creek and walk downstream. WARNING! The creek is is deep and has a strong current. Do NOT attempt to wade across!
SITE REVIEWS:
Subject: mCcRedie
Date: Thu, 12 Apr 2001
From: Kris (murphtall@qwest.net)
I posted before, here is a photo I took of McCredie Hot Springs on my visit in Jan 2001. The hot water on top of the pools was scalding but if you kept the water mixed it was okay. [EDITOR'S NOTE: Kris' photo is posted at the top of this page. Many thanks, Kris.]
Kris Big M
Subject: McCredie Hot Springs and Wall Creek Meditation Pool Reports
Date: Mon, 12 Feb 2001
From: FigleavesNW@aol.com
Mooncrow,
Greetings. We are a couple of older nudists traveling around the Northwest, enjoying the scenery as well as the comforts. Here are a couple of reports from our fall journies:
McCredie Hot Springs Excellent
With 5 pools, the largest being approximately 10' x 12' can be very hot at the spring source. The 2nd largest is nestled in the trees. The cleanest, mud free, were the riverside pools. These consisted of 3 small cascading pools on the edge of the river, each a bit cooler. The temperature in these three can be adjusted by changing the flow of the river water into the pools. No doubt these pools are seasonal, as heavy spring runoff would scour the bank. However, they appear tobe rebuilt each year. One contains a comfortable boulder against which you can relax. The other two were each progressively shallower. We found it enjoyable to soak in the hot spring and cool off in the cold, very cold, Salt Creek water.
Even with close proximity to SR 58 this clothing optional hot spring feels secluded. Perhaps that is the reason clothing optional/nudity seems the order of the day. The day we were there (Labor Day 2000) there was a good age and gender mix from 3-month-old infant to college students to grandparents. Two enterprising young women even brought their massage table streamside. A young couple from California stopped for a dip while on a road trip from Seattle home to the Bay Area The McCredie Hot Springs are an excellent soaking stop while traveling in the Cascade area.
Wall Creek Meditation Pool
Nestled on a knoll above Wall Creek, Meditation Pool could not be in a more idyllic location. The beautiful walk through the old growth Cascade forest is reason enough to visit this hot spring.
Water temperature is tepid to warm bath water - hot spots can be found where bubbles come up from the bottom. The pool is small; four people fit fine, and it is fairly deep.
We visited in the fall; perhaps earlier in the season the water would be hotter. When we were there a quick thunderstorm passed through giving the old growth forest an emerald green hue. (Don't worry we were not in the pool but walking back to the car!).
Date: Tue, 30 Jan 2001
From: Brad R Barrick (BBarrick@compuserve.com)
Sept. 2000 I visited McCredie Hotsprings (Oregon) and camped in my VW van for 3 days and nights - was never cited or harassed by cops. Lots of truckers there! Ample parking, not crowded. Near to Wall Creek Hotsprings. (see book Hiking Hotsprings of the Pacific Northwest) McCredie Hot springs are beautiful - 5 in all - located right off the highway, and on the other side of the river, which is also right off the highway. If you drive further east a quarter mile or so, you can turn south onto a FS road that leads to a trailhead that goes to the south bank hot pools (if you are not brave enough to wade in the cold river!) about a 1/2 mile hike. I highly reccommend McCredie!!
Date: Mon, 30 Aug 1999
From: Arne Smith (Carlos5000@worldnet.att.net)
Yes, it is a very nice soak, and I havn't seen or heard of anybody being approached by enforcers of a "curfew". Did you say there are springs on both side of the highway? or did you mean both sides of the creek?
Thanks,
Arne
Date: Thu, 11 Jan 96
From: rexs13 (rexs13@teleport.com)
McCredie is a great natural soak!
It is very close to the road but screened from view.
On the road side is a large soaking pool fed by several springs made by removing rocks from the gravel bar. It is comfortable and temperature varies, move around until you find your spot. There are also several smaller pools fed by indiviual springs of varying temperatures.
Across Salt Creek are more pools that are more secluded and warmer. The creek is swift and should not be attempted in high water or when less than clear headed. The original resort was on this side of the creek and the best pool is by the old foundation.
Clothing is definatly optional. Some of my female friends don't like McCredie because there is some "gunk" on the bottom and it, "Smells like rotten eggs." These are just the rantings of spoiled people who have only been to Bagby or in chlorinated hot tubs. Compared to the Olympic Hot Springs, the smell is barely detectable and the gunk is barely noticable.
McCredie gets my vote for a quick soak when traveling on HWY 58 whether in an 18 wheeler, family car, bicycle, or on foot.
A rather disturbing trend is occuring, here in Oregon at least. This hot springs was made a day use area only. Although I have not talked with anyone that has violated this rule at McCredie, people at Cougar Reservoir have been towed and cited. Having your car towed when the closest town is at least 12 miles away sucks. The Friends of Terwilliger Springs (Cougar) SUCK!!!!
Keep on soakin'.
rexs13
[EDITOR'S NOTE: The opinions expressed in the preceeding review are entirely those of the author. Mooncrow neither agrees nor disagrees with the author's opinion. ]
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