Breitenbush Hot Springs

Linn County, Oregon · Near Mill City
44.7820°N, 121.9750°W · 2,220 ft
198°F 41°F air · Good soaking weather 2,220 ft Roadside Camping nearby (0.8 mi)
Very Hot Source, Use Extreme Caution

At 198°F, the source water at Breitenbush Hot Springs is hot enough to cause burns. Some hot springs this hot have cooler side pools or downstream areas suitable for soaking. Always test the water temperature before entering.

Breitenbush Hot Springs, in Linn County, Oregon, about twenty five miles from Mill City, is a thermal mineral spring system along the Breitenbush River. The source water measured 198 degrees, scalding, near boiling. Wikipedia notes it is also known as Breitenbusher Hot Springs and sits near the historic town of Breitenbush. No owner is named in the record and public access is not on file.

Location

The springs are practically at the roadside, about ten feet from an unnamed road, at around twenty two hundred feet in the Cascades. The winters bury the place. Seventeen feet of snow is a normal year, and the area is very wet. Breitenbush Campground is under a mile away, the nearest camping listed.

February, December and January rank highest. The source water will scald. Do not enter anything that has not been cooled. Ownership and access are blank in the record, so confirm before visiting. A 2002 sample found a high mineral load with sulfate.

History of Breitenbush Hot Springs

Wikipedia describes Breitenbush Hot Springs, also known as Breitenbusher Hot Springs, as a thermal mineral spring system along the Breitenbush River near the historic town of Breitenbush, Oregon. The USGS tracks the springs under its own site number.

Terrain

Aircraft with laser scanners measured this ground to within inches. The scan strips out trees and buildings, leaving the bare shape of the land around Breitenbush Hot Springs.

Aerial view of the ground around Breitenbush Hot Springs LiDAR bare-earth view of the same ground around Breitenbush Hot Springs
Aerial LiDAR bare earth

Drag the handle to compare the two views. The orange dot marks the spring, in a frame about three quarters of a mile wide.

Setting
Valley floor
Gentle slopes rise on both sides.
Highest ground nearby
123 ft above the spring
Within a quarter mile, to the northeast
Cross-section through the spring

A slice through the ground from northwest to southeast, about 0.6 miles end to end.

Elevation data: USGS 3D Elevation Program. Aerial imagery: USGS The National Map. Public domain.

Heat Below
102 milliwatts per square meter of heat flow

That's about 1½ times the US average of 65. It's higher than at 51% of the springs on this site.

Heat flow measures the warmth working its way up through the ground from deep inside the earth. Where it runs high, rain and snowmelt that seep down through cracks in the rock come back up hot.

Heat flow estimate: Stanford Thermal Earth Model (Aljubran & Horne, 2024), CC BY 4.0.

Monthly Climate
38°
Jan
36°
Feb
40°
Mar
45°
Apr
53°
May
59°
Jun
66°
Jul
68°
Aug
61°
Sep
51°
Oct
41°
Nov
36°
Dec
Annual Precip: 69.3 in Annual Snow: 209.0 in
Best Time to Visit
February Air 36°F · Water 198°F · +162° contrast
December Air 36°F · Water 198°F · +162° contrast
January Air 38°F · Water 198°F · +161° contrast
February offers 32°F more contrast than August
Current Conditions
41°F
ENE 0.0 mph 100% Good soaking weather
Tuesday 65° Low 48° Mostly Cloudy then Slight Chance Rain Showers 16% precip
Spring is +133° warmer
Wednesday 69° Low 50° Sunny 2% precip
Spring is +129° warmer
Thursday 76° Low 51° Sunny 1% precip
Spring is +122° warmer
Friday 77° Low 52° Sunny
Spring is +121° warmer
Saturday 82° Low 52° Sunny
Spring is +116° warmer
Water Chemistry Sampled 2002-08-06

The water at Breitenbush Hot Springs contains 2555 mg/L total dissolved solids. It is notably rich in total dissolved solids (higher mineral concentration for therapeutic soaking).

Higher mineral concentration for therapeutic soaking
Sulfate 127 mg/L
Traditionally used for skin conditions and inflammation
Where to Stay

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Nearby Camping
Breitenbush Campground 0.8 mi away

Overview Breitenbush Campground is nestled along the banks of its namesake river in the forests of western Oregon. The peaceful flow of the river can be heard throughout the campground, providing a peaceful getaway for campers.  The campground lies in the Willamette National Forest, which stretches for 110 miles along the western slopes of the Cascade Range. The varied landscape of high mountains, narrow canyons, cascading streams and wooded slopes offer varied recreational opportunities for...

Reservable Yes
Reserve on Recreation.gov →
Temperature
198°F
Warm Hot Boiling
Water Temp 198°F (92°C)
Avg Air Temp 50°F
Above Ambient +148°F
Great soaking conditions September
Access
Road Access Roadside
Distance to Road 10 ft
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the water temperature at Breitenbush Hot Springs?
Breitenbush Hot Springs has a water temperature of 198°F (92°C). This is considered a hot spring, well above body temperature.
Where is Breitenbush Hot Springs located?
Breitenbush Hot Springs is located in Linn County, Oregon at 2,220 feet elevation, near Mill City. Coordinates: 44.7820°N, 121.9750°W.
How do I get to Breitenbush Hot Springs?
Breitenbush Hot Springs has Roadside road access (10 ft from the road).
Can I camp near Breitenbush Hot Springs?
Yes, Breitenbush Campground is located nearby (0.8 miles away).
What minerals are in the water at Breitenbush Hot Springs?
Water chemistry analysis shows the presence of Total Dissolved Solids, Sulfate. Total dissolved solids measure 2,555 mg/L.
Is it safe to soak at Breitenbush Hot Springs?
No, not at the source. The water at Breitenbush Hot Springs reaches 198°F, which can cause severe burns within seconds. Look for cooled side pools or downstream stretches, and test with a hand before anything else.