Founded in 1977, Breitenbush Hot Springs Community is a unique social experiment and is important for two primary reasons. They are that it is a retreat center surrounded by uninhabited National Forest land and that it is the longest lasting intentional community in the Northwest of the USA. It is also a rare retreat center that has never been religiously or spiritually affiliated.
A lot of the mystique of Breitenbush derives from its isolation in forested mountains 10 miles from the nearest town and one hour to the nearest city. It feels remote with a wild river running right through the property as well as several hot springs that are channeled into many soaking pools and a unique steam sauna.
For many people Breitenbush strikes the right balance between being close to nature with very basic accommodations and comforts. You get geothermally heated cabins, prepared meals and electricity but bathrooms are not in your room (or tent) and you must leave your car in a parking lot away from the lodgings. Cell and internet service are not available.
Guests love Breitenbush Hot Springs for many reasons, because it is a place appearing very natural:
- that supports having an intimate experience with nature just by soaking, walking, being on the land
- that lacks the presence of car traffic, litter, graffiti, cigarettes, alcohol, drugs and pets
A lot of the mystique of Breitenbush derives from its isolation in forested mountains 10 miles from the nearest town and one hour to the nearest city. It feels remote with a wild river running right through the property as well as several hot springs that are channeled into many soaking pools and a unique steam sauna.
For many people Breitenbush strikes the right balance between being close to nature with very basic accommodations and comforts. You get geothermally heated cabins, prepared meals and electricity but bathrooms are not in your room (or tent) and you must leave your car in a parking lot away from the lodgings. Cell and internet service are not available.
Guests love Breitenbush Hot Springs for many reasons, because it is a place appearing very natural:
- that supports having an intimate experience with nature just by soaking, walking, being on the land
- that lacks the presence of car traffic, litter, graffiti, cigarettes, alcohol, drugs and pets
- with a diversity of unusual buildings and lodgings that blend in with the environment
- where you can have a silent personal retreat with little contact with others
- where you can learn or experience new things in a workshop or event
- where deer and other wildlife can be encountered in close proximity
- where you’ll seldom see a cell phone or laptop computer being used
- that is especially quiet outdoors except for the sounds of nature
- where you can enjoy mineral rich hot springs swimsuit-free
- where you can encounter interesting people casually
- where you can have a silent personal retreat with little contact with others
- where you can learn or experience new things in a workshop or event
- where deer and other wildlife can be encountered in close proximity
- where you’ll seldom see a cell phone or laptop computer being used
- that is especially quiet outdoors except for the sounds of nature
- where you can enjoy mineral rich hot springs swimsuit-free
- where you can encounter interesting people casually
- that provides prepared organically grown vegetarian meals
- that women feel safe camping alone
Because of these and other reasons, Breitenbush Hot Springs has been a special place for people with like values to meet. It has been very popular for personal retreats, workshops, birthdays, anniversaries and reunions. For thousands of people, it is a spiritual retreat place, an escape from a crowded, fast-paced world.
- that women feel safe camping alone
Because of these and other reasons, Breitenbush Hot Springs has been a special place for people with like values to meet. It has been very popular for personal retreats, workshops, birthdays, anniversaries and reunions. For thousands of people, it is a spiritual retreat place, an escape from a crowded, fast-paced world.
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BREITENBUSH HOT SPRINGS
Breitenbush.com (the official business website for making reservations, etc.)
BreitenbushBlog.com (photos and videos of Breitenbush Hot Springs)
OTHER HOT SPRINGS (or pools) in the NW of USA
Lower Breitenbush Hot Springs, downstream from Breitenbush Hot Springs in the Willamette National Forest
Bagby Hot Springs, east of Portland, OR in the Mt. Hood National Forest
Cougar Hot Springs, east of Eugene, OR in the Willamette National Forest
Edgefield - hotel complex about 15 miles east of Portland. It has a beautiful hot soaking pool.
https://www.mcmenamins.com/EatDrinkDetail.aspx?id=278
Carson Hot Springs - less than 1 hour east of Portland in Carson, WA. Soaking tubs and wraps in a old building and a swimming pool and jacuzzi in a newer building.
https://www.carsonresort.com/
Tenzen Hot Springs - an hour from Portland. New Japanese style private cabins with hot springs tubs.
https://tenzensprings.com/
Society Hotel - about an hour from Portland in Bingen, WA. Opened in 2019, has a nice hot soaking pool and a sauna as well as inexpensive dorm beds.
thesocietyhotel.com/bingen/
Trout Creek Wilderness Lodge - near Mollala OR, with cedar hot tub and sauna
https://www.troutcreekwildernesslodge.com
Kah-Nee-Ta Hot Springs - about two hours from Portland. On a Native American reservation, reopened in 2024 after extensive remodeling.
https://kahneeta.com/natural-hot-spring/
Snow Peak Campfield - about two hours from Portland in Long Beach WA. Opened in 2024 with deluxe campsites, a soaking pool and sauna.
https://snowpeakcampfield.com
Summer Lake Hot Springs, near Paisley, OR
https://www.summerlakehotsprings.com/
Crane Hot Springs, near Burns, OR
https://www.cranehotsprings.com/
BREITENBUSH HOT SPRINGS
Breitenbush.com (the official business website for making reservations, etc.)
BreitenbushBlog.com (photos and videos of Breitenbush Hot Springs)
OTHER HOT SPRINGS (or pools) in the NW of USA
Lower Breitenbush Hot Springs, downstream from Breitenbush Hot Springs in the Willamette National Forest
Bagby Hot Springs, east of Portland, OR in the Mt. Hood National Forest
Cougar Hot Springs, east of Eugene, OR in the Willamette National Forest
Edgefield - hotel complex about 15 miles east of Portland. It has a beautiful hot soaking pool.
https://www.mcmenamins.com/EatDrinkDetail.aspx?id=278
Carson Hot Springs - less than 1 hour east of Portland in Carson, WA. Soaking tubs and wraps in a old building and a swimming pool and jacuzzi in a newer building.
https://www.carsonresort.com/
Tenzen Hot Springs - an hour from Portland. New Japanese style private cabins with hot springs tubs.
https://tenzensprings.com/
Society Hotel - about an hour from Portland in Bingen, WA. Opened in 2019, has a nice hot soaking pool and a sauna as well as inexpensive dorm beds.
thesocietyhotel.com/bingen/
Trout Creek Wilderness Lodge - near Mollala OR, with cedar hot tub and sauna
https://www.troutcreekwildernesslodge.com
Kah-Nee-Ta Hot Springs - about two hours from Portland. On a Native American reservation, reopened in 2024 after extensive remodeling.
https://kahneeta.com/natural-hot-spring/
Snow Peak Campfield - about two hours from Portland in Long Beach WA. Opened in 2024 with deluxe campsites, a soaking pool and sauna.
https://snowpeakcampfield.com
Summer Lake Hot Springs, near Paisley, OR
https://www.summerlakehotsprings.com/
Crane Hot Springs, near Burns, OR
https://www.cranehotsprings.com/
copyright 2025 John C. Holley All Rights Reserved
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