Hot Springs Tour through the Pacific Northwest
I love to soak in hot springs! Ever since I was a little girl, my family visited different hot springs throughout the northwest and these were always my favorite times. I grew up to carry on the tradition. In 1999, the father of my children and I visited an abundance of hot springs in a loop that started in Montana, went south down the 15 highway to Four Corners, over to California and up the coast as far north as Canada. A major highlight was Hot Springs Cove north of Tofino on Vancouver Island.
Tofino is a charming fishing town located on the north west side of Vancover Island, BC. This spot was beautiful in itself, with rugged beaches, great food and affordable to exquisite lodging. At Tofino, charter one of the many local fishing boats two hours north through the island channels. When the boat finally comes out in the open ocean where two major currents meet there is a cove. Hot Springs Cove. A raised cedar walkway takes you a couple kilometers through the pristine wild to natural hot springs that cascade into several descending rock pools. The last pool being partially in the ocean where the two large currents collide. Grey whales and bald eagles were playing around us as the ocean waves cooled our bodies from in front and hot island springs cascaded warmly down our backs. Incredible!
From Tofino, we headed south to Mount Hood and Bagby hot springs then east along the 12 highway, hitting an abundance of natural hot springs through eastern Oregon and Idaho on our way back home to Montana.
We returned from this fantastic journey having seen some incredibly beautiful places. Besides, we were cleansed, radiant, and nourished with the deep amniotic waters of the earth!
(Story by Heather Kaufman. Photo credit:pat_ong)
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With raised wooden pathways, I always wonder what the wheelchair accessibility is like, as often there are stairs associated with these.
I always loved adventures and beautiful places, This one seems to be a great place I would love make a tour through these places. Hoping it soon.
The information about this place seems to be so attractive, to anyone who loves adventure and a pleasure trip will be a great experience.
I have always wanted to visit a hot spring but I was afraid of the heat! You make it sound incredibly inviting though, I think I might have to go and see for myself!
This article makes me feel like I’ve been missing out. I’m typically interested in water features such as waterfalls but these hot springs sound very relaxing. After a long hike, it would be awesome to soak in some hot water.
Wow! That sounds like a wonderful experience. I’ve never been to Tofino but it sounds absolutely beautiful. I’m writing this down as my next vacation spot.
I attended college in Tacoma, Washington and had heard about this area, but never got the chance to visit. I will have to make the time to remedy that!
It sounds like a lovely, relaxing way to spend your vacation. Your entry is wonderful, and makes me feel like I’m right there with you!
Hot Springs Cove entices me. I imagine hot springs to be similar to whirlpools and having the cool waters as well from the separate currents would be be a sensory pleasure.
I haven’t had the chance to visit any hot springs yet, but after reading this I definitely have a new destination in mind for my next vacation. A soak there sounds better than a spa day.
I wonder what the spider condition is there. I am intensely arachnophobic, and dislike walking into webs or the creepy little monsters. I enjoy these kinds of areas, but not their evil indigenous arachnids.
I have lived in the Pacific Northwest for ten years and didn’t know there were hot springs. I definitely want to check this out!
This summer several of my friends and I are traveling to Oregon to visit a relative in Portland and this would be an awesome thing to do on the way, Thanks!
I just love hot springs. They’re so therapeutic. I will have to make a note of this place to take a visit there.
I live In Southern Oregon and there are some Hot Springs like in Olene. Many beautiful forest, lakes, world class fishing. South Eastern Oregon has a very interesting Volcanic landscape that stretches into Northern California.
I love the hot springs especially the ones that aren’t developed and there out there just in the woods as open secrets; were you spend the day bathing and picnicking naked along with other strangers and hikers.
Now that’s something I’d really like to experience. I used to live not too far from a hot springs area, but I never went for one reason or another. Now that I am older, though, they certainly seem like something I would love to soak my old bones in!
Hot springs are along many routes through the states but this looks just fantastic! I can’t wait to plan a trip here for a remembrance of my life.
Sounds wonderful. I’ve never been to Hot Springs Cove but I’ll have to add that to my bucket list. Sounds like a nice end to a long road trip.
I never knew that there were hot springs up in that area. I’ll have to check them out and ask my friends in Oregon for a guided tour of the hot springs next time I visit. There’s nothing like a relaxing soak in a hot springs after a nature hike.
I traveled to Tofino just recently with my girlfriend and some of her classmates (she goes to a small independent school in B.C. that does environmental research on the island). Not only was the surfing awesome, but the weather was great and the locals extremely kind. We did not get to see the hot springs- I’ve never been to Hot Springs and would love to go back! This site is giving me lots of motivation to do so
.
My family and I have been blessed to visit a few Hot Springs, I have to agree with your assessment of everything that you said. There’s something about sitting in a hot spring and then you get out you feel so alive and new. It sounds like you guys had a wonderful vacation
I love the Northwest and we lived in the area for years, but never knew there were any hot springs there. I probably should’ve known since they do have volcanoes lol Maybe one day we’ll be able to go back and take a dip!
Wow! This looks and sounds like such an enchanting place. I have never explored the Pacific Northwest, but your description of its lush, natural beauty beckons me. Beautiful trip description.
Oh such beautiful Hot Springs! Can’t get enough of the weather! I loved the surfing, it was awesome! Can’t decide if I like surfing or Hot Springs more!
Ever since I visited the hotsprings in Arkansas, I have wanted to find some springs out here in the western US. I have always loved the beauty of the Pac. Northwest, it has rightly referred to as God’s country so this prospect is extremely exciting to me.
Sounds splendid!
I have never been to this area of the world but would love to one day be able to share in such adventures. I love nature and enjoy it so much, and this is something that would fulfill all my desires for an awesome and unforgettable vacation!
That hot spring is such an incredible part of nature. It’s a bit creepy when you realize that the heat is coming from the center of the earth.
There’s nothing like a natural Jacuzzi! It sounds like a very exciting trip you had. I have never had the pleasure of visiting the pacific northwest but it is definitely on my “to do” list now. Thanks for the detailed experience!
This article makes me feel like I’ve been missing out. I’m typically interested in water features such as waterfalls but these hot springs sound very relaxing.
What a wonderful experience! I would love to do this. So relaxing. My idea of a perfect vacation!
I used to live up in Washington State, and it was a beautiful place. The hot springs combined with the unique temperate rain forest biome make it one of my favorite places to travel.
I have always wondered if it was truly worth the expense to go on a tour of different hot springs. I think that after reading your post I might just have to look into going. Is it better then going Spa hoping in Las Vegas?
What a great picture to go with your article! I live close to Saratoga Springs NY so I am aware of the benefits of natural spring water…now I want to expereince the hot springs. What a fun, healthy way to vaca! Hiking followed by a relaxing soak in a hot spring.
Ive always loved Hot Springs, and being from the northwest originally id love to get back to some of these. Hope to make it there soon.
I too, have always loved to visit hot springs. It is wonderful to know that there are still an abundance of springs to explore again or discover anew. There is no better way to spend a day!
Wow, those pictures are gorgeous. I would love to be able to travel there someday, but it’s would be a pretty far trip for me.
Wow, I had no idea that there were hot springs in Vancouver!What an absolutely magical experience. I’m adding Tofino as a future destination for sure. Thanks so much!
This looks amazing. I have never been anywhere like this I think it will be a exciting destination to add to my travel bucket list.
My first and only hot springs visit was one with a friend in the Nevada desert outside of Vegas. He told me that there were hot springs which mixed with ocean or stream waters. I am at heart a forest lover, so the setting in Vancouver sounds lovely!