• McCredie Hot Springs was a popular resort and then disreputable brothel in the past,
• The hot springs are located on both banks of Salt Creek
McCredie Hot Springs is located along Salt Creek near Oregon Route Highway 58, approximately one hour away from Eugene. This spot is known and loved for easy access and very hot water.
In the past, McCredie Hot Springs was a popular resort and then disreputable brothel. In 1958, the hotel burned to the ground and a few years later, in 1964, a flood washed out the bridge and swimming pool.
McCredie Hot Springs was named after the third owner of the hot springs - Judge Walter McCredie. He was a baseball player and, in 1914, built a two-story resort hotel. Though the McCredie Hot Springs has changed ownership a few times over the years, the name McCredie is still in use.
Currently, McCredie is an undeveloped area, consisting of springs emerging on both banks of Salt Creek. The area is located on the US Forest Service land and opens from sunrise to sunset.
The north bank. The scalding water at 160°F emerges from a concrete block and flows to pools built from the rocks and mud by volunteers. Though the water temperature reduces progressively as it moves from one pool to the next, the temperature still can be extremely high from 100°F to 160°F. If you don’t want your soaking to be translated into scalds, test the temperatures of the water first before diving or stepping into the pools. If needed, cool it by river water.
The parking area is well-paved and large.
The south bank. The hot springs of the southern side are located across the creek. It is not safe to cross Salt Creek during high water and spring runoff. The directions to this spot are provided below.
You will find a rock wall which is remnants of the old resort and a few shallow pools. The mineral water at 125°F comes out of the base of the wall. The temperature in the pools is more comfortable than on the north bank, generally, between 100°F and 105°F. The biggest pool is about 13 feet across and two feet deep. The smallest one is about three feet across. The pool's bottom is mainly composed of organic materials and mud. Be careful, there might be some rocks and glass in the pools.
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McCredie Hot Springs | Facts
Location: 10 miles east of Oakridge • Cascade Mountains • USA
Open: Year-round from sunrise to sunset
Development: Undeveloped
Clothing: Optional
Amenities: Vault toilet, picnic tables
Accommodations:
Blue Pool Campground - 0.5 miles west
Motels in Oakridge - 10 miles west
Hiking distance: Northside: 0.1 miles; south side: 0.3 miles
Road access: Any vehicle
Day-use: Free
Managed by: US Forest Service
Elevation: 2,064 ft (629 m)
Water T°: 100°F (38°C) to 163°F(73°C)
Water acidity level: Neutral (pH=7.4)
Springs Type: Sodium and calcium chloride
Average dissolved solids: 2,650 ppm
Flow rate: 75 l/min
Chemical used: None
| Cations Sodium (Na) - 910 Mg/L Calcium (Ca) - 500 Mg/L Potassium (K) - 28 Mg/L Boron (B) - 17.8 Mg/L |
Anions Chloride (Cl) - 2,232 Mg/L Sulfate (SO4) - 190 Mg/L Silica (SiO2) - 65.4 Mg/L Bromine (Br) - 33 Mg/L Carbonate (CO3) - 20 Mg/L Fluoride (F) - 2.68 Mg/L |
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Directions to McCredie Hot Springs
Northside
- From I-5, take exit 188 in Eugene for OR-58
- Drive for about 46 miles to McCredie Hot Springs on the right.
The north side of the McCredie Hot Springs is located between mileposts 45 and 46.
GPS (North side): N 43°42.426' W 122°17.394' | 43.7071, -122.2899
Southside
- Drive 0.5 miles southeast from the parking area at the north side of McCredie to Shady Gap Road
- Turn right onto Shady Gap Road
- Cross the bridge and then turn right onto NF-5875
- Proceed 0.1 miles to a trailhead on the right.
The hot springs are located approximately 10 minutes away from the trailhead. An easy 0.3-mile trail runs downstream along Salt Creek.
GPS (South side): N 43°42.056' W 122°17.094' | 43.7009, -122.2849