Road Trip to Belknap Hot Springs

December 8, 2011 (Updated February 10, 2012)
Advertisements

This week, I took the McKenzie River Scenic Byway into heart of the Oregon cascades east of Eugene and discovered a hot shot for a cold spell – Belknap Hot Springs.

State Highway 126 is timeless transition on western approach into Oregon’s Cascade Mountains that offers absolutely scenic beauty, crystal clear river views and covered bridges.

“It is scenic and it is beautiful,” noted local travel expert Meg Trendler. “You are driving along the river and you get these glimpses of an absolutely crystal clear river all along the way and lots of greenery too.”

Like century old drawing cards along the way, Lane County’s covered bridges including “Goodpasture Covered Bridge;” at 165 feet it’s Oregon’s second longest and “Belknap Bridge,” a river cross-over since 1890.

“The bridges were generally made of wood back in the 20’s and 30’s but if you covered them the timbers would last twice or three times longer in Oregon’s wet weather.”

Wet may be what you’ll get when you reach the plunge pool world of Sahalie Falls and Koosah Falls – the trail is always open and easily reached along off the highway.

“The water just comes shooting out like a fire hydrant,” said Trendler with a smile. “It’s a huge wall of water any time of year and then there’s a great path you can walk from Sahalie to Koosah falls so it’s not even five minutes from your car to the falls.”

The McKenzie River Valley is a year round recreation destination and centerpiece for many is the McKenzie River National Recreation Trail.

The trail is 26 miles long and about half that distance is below the snow line, so you’ve good opportunities for hiking and biking anytime.

People have long enjoyed the McKenize River; often called Oregon’s first fishing and boating playground.

Local historian and owner of River’s Touch, Roger Fletcher, said that “drift-boating” was spawned on the McKenzie River; the birthplace for the “All Oregon Boat” with its unique style of riding atop the rapids.

“The McKenzie boats evolved in the 1920’s as fishing guides searched for boats with maneuverability and capacity… it made water previously inaccessible, accessible. Of course, that was a two edged sword…because as people discovered the opportunities, more and more people came to the river.”

When they came, many visitors also found a distinct way to warm up after a long day on the water.

Belknap Hot Springs has been a hot shot for a wintertime cold spell since the 1850’s and you can even see the water bubbling out of the ground.

It’s 200 degrees at the source, according to Marlene Watson the Belknap Resort Manager, who noted that at that temperature, you could cook an egg.

A series of underground pipes cool the water so by the time it reaches the nearby pool, it’s a warm and relaxing environment.

“We have family groups who get together here because it is so relaxing,” added Watson. They can swim, hike, read and relax and they love it.”

Belknap Hot Springs Resort offers full service accommodations including overnight camping for RV, tent or trailer – even rental cabins and a full service lodge.

Watson adds that the McKenzie River draws visitors back along a scenic drive that is “steady and serene.”

“You hear the river go by and it’s just a wonderful place to get away and forget all your troubles – relax!”

About The
Author

Grant McOmie
Grant McOmie is a Pacific Northwest broadcast journalist, teacher and author who writes and produces stories and special programs about the people, places, outdoor activities and environmental issues of the Pacific Northwest. A fifth generation Oregon native, Grant’s roots run deepest in the central Oregon region near Prineville and Redmond where his family continues to live.