Belknap Hot Springs, Mckenzie River
Are you ready to relax in a natural hot springs pool surrounded by dense forest, listening to the the rushing Mckenzie River only feet away? Yes? Me too! Belknap Hot Springs is the perfect place to go for the day and relax. Children are more than welcome at Belknap Hot Springs but if you are looking for a romantic get away close to Eugene this is the place.
Belknap Hot Springs is located just off Highway 126, about an hour and 10 minutes east of Eugene. Highway 126 is also known as the Mckenzie Highway because it follows the Mckenzie River. The turn will be on your left onto North Belknap Spring Rd, just follow the road keeping to the left. Belknap Hot Springs was opening in the late 1870s by Rollin Simeon Belknap. Before Rollin opened Belknap Hot Springs, these hot springs and many others in the area were used by Native Americans for medical healing and basket making. Researchers believed that cedar was submerged in the hot water to make it flexible enough to bend.
The view from the patio 
The view from the parking lot
The front of the lodge has plenty of parking, including a covered drop off area. Before you go into the lodge take a moment to soak in the awe of the towering trees behind the lodge across river. What an amazing backdrop!
The Lobby
The lobby consist of comfortable leather sofas, a snack shop and the front desk. Lining the walls are old pictures of days gone by, it was amazing to the see horse drawn carriages. Could you image over 100 years ago that was the only form of transportation up to the springs. It was said that from Eugene it would take 16 hours to get to Belknap Hot Springs. Stop by the front desk and they will give you a map of the area. We wanted to see where the hot springs originates and walk out to the secret gardens. The walk to the source of the hot springs is paved, and includes crossing a long bridge that spans the Mckenzie River. From the bridge if you turn right you can walk, on dirt, to the secret garden. If it had been summer, it would have been a beautiful leisurely walk but since the state was still recovering from the snow storm it had caused quite a bit damage. We walked through snow piles, mud puddles, stepped over branches and though a fallen bamboo thicket.
Bridge over the Mckenzie River 
Hot Springs Source
The Secret Garden turned Ancient Ruin
At the lodge they showed us picture of what the secret garden would look like in the spring but today it was nothing like that. It was eerie and beautiful, like we had stumbled upon an ancient ruin. Everything was covered in moss and snow. Most of the “ancient ruin” was still covered in inches of snow with only a few tracks as evidence that we weren’t the only ones exploring today. It was like we had stepped back in time to a Roman garden where lazy summer days were spent lounging around the waterfalls and picking flowers. The entrance to the secret garden curves to the left hiding the beauty your about to see. The secret garden will be beautiful in the summer I have no doubt but visiting it with snow and moss was so captivating, like stepping back into history.
The Hot Springs
Once we returned from our hike we decided it was time to enjoy the hot springs. The natural hot mineral water is pumped into the pool while being cooled by water from the Mckenzie River. The water is treated with chlorine, the pool is like a large hot tub. Children under that age of 2 are not permitted and children must be potty trained, no swim diapers. There are two hot springs pools at Belknap Hot Springs, the lower pool just off the lobby is for day use guests but guests staying at the lodge have their own private pool, the upper pool. The water felt great and relaxing. In the past the hot springs has been viewed as having magical powers in healing but as science has shown chronic stress in our daily lives contributes to many aches and pains we experience. Between the hot mineral water and the beautiful scenery the stress from everyday life fades away leaving you feel rejuvenated. We spent about 45 minutes in the pool. I highly recommend bringing a water bottle with you. About 30 minutes in I could have used some water and we probable would have stayed in the water longer if we had brought cold water with us. One hour is $8 and all day $15. Pool towel rentals are $2.* We brought our own towels. Bathrooms with showers are available.
The Perfect Romantic Date
- Grab coffee as you leave Eugene. <see my favorite coffee places here>
- *Optional* Grab lunch for later (there is not a restaurant currently* at Belknap)
- Hike, stopping at the secret garden to eat the filling snack you brought.
- Be in the pool for an hour, remember bring a water bottle
- Eat a late lunch on the patio over looking the river
Lodging and camping is available. Lodge has about 19 rooms as well as cabins and mountain homes. There are RV and tent sites. Please see the website for current information. belknaphotsprings.com
Belknap Hot Springs has proven to be not just beautiful but mysterious. I look forward to visiting again this summer. No matter when you go Belknap will be a place of relaxation and reconnection, the perfect day trip just outside of Eugene.
*March 2019
