Travel

4 Hot Spring Destinations for Your Next Road Trip

Interesting and unique spots across the US that you’ve never heard of but would love to visit.

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For Bohemians

Take the scenic route on your way back east from Tofino and make your way to Breitenbush, a bohemian hot springs retreat and spa about 60 miles east of Salem, Oregon. Staying at Breitenbush gets you three wholesome meals per day, and access to this 154-acre site, which features miles of running and biking trails and a long list of activities. Cozy, rustic, year-round cabins (some with bathrooms) and camping in Summer give many options for your stay. Men’s and women’s bathhouses serve the needs of campers and those in cabins without bathrooms.

4 Hot Spring Destinations for Your Next Road Trip

Stay in a cabin at Breitenbush

With over 150 workshops, conferences, and celebrations annually, coupled with daily well-being programs like yoga, EDGU and meditation, you’ll always have something to do.

4 Hot Spring Destinations for Your Next Road Trip

You can even do a guided ascent of the nearby Devil’s Peak. Don’t feel like hiking? The folks at Breitenbush are happy to help you find one of a variety of local workshops specially designed to help you relax and unwind. Afterwords, take a soak in The Meadow Pools, which are lined in smooth river rocks, or the four Spiral Hot Tubs of varying temperature. Enjoy the Steam Sauna, a cedar cabin perched above steaming waters. A spirit of respect and sanctuary pervades the clothing-optional soaking pools.

4 Hot Spring Destinations for Your Next Road Trip

Go for a hike at Breitenbush

The hot springs are lined with fir-trees and have been used for generations by local native communities for their restorative properties. If you want to delve further into the native spirit, you can also participate in a monthly ritual sweat lodge ceremony, which is a unique experience that shouldn’t be missed.

Make sure to check out “The Gorge”, “Spotted Owl”, “Emerald Forest”, “Devil’s Peak” and “Inner Path”, which are all names of trails radiating from Breitenbush that lead you through ancient forest cathedrals, past river cascades, and to magnificent mountain vistas.

4 Hot Spring Destinations for Your Next Road Trip

At the end of your completely restorative day, you can have a massage, then sit down to an organic vegetarian (or vegan) meal at Breitenbush and contemplate spending a full month here. Now what could be better than that??

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Avatar of Hilary Rowland

A writer, artist, and designer since she was young enough to put pencil to paper, Hilary taught herself code and created Urbanette when she was a teenager. Currently, she lives in Monte Carlo, but spent the past decade living in NYC, still considers herself a New Yorker, and visits regularly. She's always traveling, looking for hot new topics, destinations, and life hacks to bring to Urbanette readers.

Reader Discussion: 58 Comments

  1. Avatar of Alice Montgomery

    Japan has been by far my best hot spring experience. Just go there and experience it for your selves. Really relaxing and just perfect.

  2. Avatar of Melani Kalev

    Bucket list worthy material, awesome!

  3. Avatar of Henry Mcintosh

    Added to the bucket list. Thanks!

  4. Avatar of Merry Robinson

    Merry Robinson

    So many amazing hot spring destinations. What gorgeous things hot springs are – beautiful and relaxing. I can’t even pick my favorite because they’re all so good. I want to see their breathtaking and gorgeous views and also enjoy a relaxing warm water. Thanks for this excellent post! 🙂

  5. Avatar of Rosemary Robles

    Rosemary Robles

    Passing through we stopped at the Conundrum to take in the views. Right at sunset was amazing. Yes! there are a few steep hills, but it’s great exercise. It was a great hike with a wonderful view. We would definitely do it again. Definitely recommended!

  6. Avatar of Cornelia Green

    Cornelia Green

    Interesting list, thanks. All these Hot Springs are a must see. I’ve seen Conundrum Hot Springs and it’s indeed so peaceful and beautiful. Pictures turnout amazing. The over looks at the top give you some grand photo ops. It would be great to go there in spring, i think.

  7. Avatar of Helen Dark

    Helen Dark

    I loved reading about your travel adventures. Makes me want to go book a trip to wherever you’re talking about now. I would love to do/visit pretty much all of the ones on the list – except getting near a dolphin. Almost envious of all the time you got to spend in those hot springs. Your travel experiences must have been sooo awesome.

    xoxo,
    Helen

  8. Avatar of Ashley Moore

    Ashley Moore

    Great article Hilary, thanks for sharing your experiences. I am gathering information because i’m planning on travelling alone this summer, and I am feeling pretty excited about it. I like your travels and the images in this article are stunning. You continue to inspire me with your stunning photos and epic adventures. You inspire me to be adventurous! 🙂

  9. Avatar of Lela House

    Lela House

    Gorgeous pictures! And such a diversity. I’ve visited some hot springs before, but nothing like any of these. I have to travel more. I want to get that close to a whale. Thank you for always sharing with us your travel experiences. Great read.

  10. Avatar of Jenny Garett

    Jenny Garett

    Beautiful.. I haven’t been to any of these hot springs. I really love your shots. The sights from the mountains, trees, flowers and all the different aspects of nature just took my breath away. Time to update the bucket list, perhaps! 😀

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