Spa resorts/hot springs near Portland
 

Planning an anniversary trip to Portland next month and was wonderfing if there are any cool spa resorts/hot springs that are nearby. Looking for something kind of hippie-ish-- not a golf resort thing, but nice. Thanks!

Carson Hot Springs sounds like what you are looking for. It is in the gorge area, near Hood River, but actually in WA so just on the other side of the river. Takes about 45 minutes to get there from downtown Portland. They have golf, but this is NOT what you think of in regards to a spa/golf place, not at all.

For a more hippie experience, head to Breitenbush Hot Springs. You will need to head down I-5 to Salem and then cut over as the road from Estacada is not a route you want to use at this time of year.

Carson Hot Springs may not be what you have in mind. They have tubs filled with hot mud (after you get in, of course). At least that was the case on the only occasion we had to stop for a look. We did not indulge.

Bobmrg--They have mineral baths, massages, and wraps. So much more than just mud baths.

A work associate and other friends have been to and enjoyed this place, but that and what can be learned from the website is as much as I know about it: http://www.bonnevilleresort.com/.

Good call, islandaze. I had a feeling I was forgetting one, lol.

Thanks a zillion! Carson looks right up our alley and boneeville looks nice, too. Yall are the best...

Hey all,

Had to postpone this trip and am now planning it for May. Is Carson Hot Spriings the only hot springs resort in the gorge area?

Bonneville Hot Springs is in the gorge too, out near Cascade Locks on the WA side.

We thought it would be cool to spend at least a night in the gorge area since we want to rent a car and go out there. If you could choose, which would you pick to best experience the natural beauty of that area?

Depends on what you are looking for. Carson is not near as grand, with much more basic rooms, amenities, etc. But both are in beautiful areas of the gorge (you can't go wrong pretty much anywhere in this general area, FWIW). If you want a special night away, I would opt for Bonneville.

Consider going a little farther from Portland to Belknap Hot Springs. http://www.belknaphotsprings.com/
The Mckenzie River and the Cascades are amazing.

Thanks so much, mms and tomfuller.

If we left off the spa/hot springs requirement, any other suggestions for something cool in the general gorge area? (We can handle funky as long as it is clean and comfy.)

We would probably spend just one (max two) nights out of the city because we want time to explore Portland on this four or five night trip.

Also, what might we expect weatherwise from May 30 through the first few days of June?

Definitely The Edgefield!!! It is a McMenamin property, which is unique to OR and WA. It is the old county poor farm that has been redone into a funky destination hotel with restaurants, cigar bar, etc. Kind of hard to really explain it, but go to their website here http://www.mcmenamins.com/54-edgefield-home and you can see what I mean. It is in Troutdale, so the start of the gorge area. It is a fantastic place and so unique to here! Most rooms have shared baths, but not all. Do not let that deter you though. We have stayed here as well as quite a few other McMenamin properties and have never had an issue with sharing a bath. We joke that someone must be watching and they go in and clean as soon as someone comes out;) There are pubs on site, a spa, concerts, you name it.

As for weather, it will most likely be a bit rainy and chilly, but not cold. Bring layers. Our summers don't really start until July 5th;)

The Edgefield is very popular, so if it is something that you would want, book asap.

Wow, we like Edgefield a lot. Looks so cool. Since we are in Texas, we are thinking of shifting the trip to late June or July to escape the local heat. I assume we would have less rain then, too. Thanks so much for this, mms.

Yes, weather improves drastically by later in the month. You might even just call the Edgefield and see what they have for rooms and then book your trip. It really is worth it since it is so unique and fun, IMO.

Take a look at the McMenamin's property in Bend-Old St. Francis School. http://www.mcmenamins.com/421-old-st...is-school-home
Make sure to see Multnomah Falls and then head south on Rt. 35 on the east side of Mt. Hood. See Timberline?
If it does rain when you are in Portland head for Powell's bookstore.
Oregon has a lot more to see than Portland.

tomfuller--I agree, that McMenamins is a lot of fun too. But they are asking about the Portland area and Bend is 3 1/2 hours away. Yes, all of Oregon is great, but in this instance the person is not asking about other areas.

It's all about Portland and the Columbia Gorge for this trip, which won't be much more than a extra-long weekend.

I do want to see more of Oregon on another adventure, of course, and will definitely keep all your great advice for the future.

Could anyone direct me to a good website for information on closures or repairs on the scenic road through the gorge area? I saw something about construction going on right now. We changed our dates to late June, so hopefully it will all be open by then...