Austin Hot Springs
Austin Hot Springs discharges at 186°F along the Clackamas River at 1,680 feet elevation, emerging just 310 feet from Clackamas River Road with water 136 degrees above ambient temperature. Recent USGS measurements confirmed 87°C water with sulfate concentrations of 132 mg/L in this intensely hot spring on Mount Hood's western slopes.
The spring flows in the wet forests of Clackamas County where annual precipitation reaches 60.1 inches with 143.3 inches of snow supporting dense stands of Douglas-fir, western hemlock, and western redcedar. The Clackamas River corridor provides riparian habitat at lower elevations below Mount Hood's volcanic edifice, with steep forested slopes rising to the east toward higher Cascade peaks. AAA Campground sits 4.5 kilometers distant, though campground information quality appears questionable in available records.
The spring's name and historical provenance remain unclear in documentation, with no preserved accounts of Indigenous use or early settler discovery readily accessible. The extreme temperature suggests a deep geothermal source driven by Cascade volcanism, though specific studies of the thermal system remain unlisted in available data. Wikipedia erroneously links this feature to Chinati Hot Springs in Texas, indicating database confusion requiring correction.
Access during snow-free months from late spring through fall; winter snowpack and road conditions can restrict approach. The roadside location on Clackamas River Road simplifies access, but extreme water temperature prohibits any direct contact at source. Observe from safe distance and allow substantial downstream cooling before considering any water contact. High precipitation and heavy snowfall demand preparation for wet conditions.
Is Austin Hot Springs worth visiting?
Best for
- Observing powerful hot springs
- Easy day trips
- Overnight camping trips
Not ideal for
- Casual soaking