Parks & Cruising Places
COUGAR RESERVOIR: THE HOT SPRINGS
Directions: Blue River, OR, travel 4 miles east on Highway 126 to Aufderheide Drive (Forest Service Road 19). Continue south on Aufderheide Drive, taking a right at the Y and climbing to the top of the Cougar Reservoir.
Per Ciao magazine [Ciao! was a pioneering gay male travel magazine in business for most of the 1970s] December 1976 issue cites nude beaches in Oregon – there were two, one being Cougar Reservoir. “This great place is high above Cougar Dam. Nude swimming most of the year. Oregon has a rather cold climate and these hot springs can get everything warmed up nicely. The location is 30 miles southeast of Eugene.”
In the summer months, Cougar Reservoir is a popular place for boating, swimming, and fishing. Cougar Reservoir is located outside of Blue River along Aufderheide Drive, part of the West Cascades National Scenic Byway. (SOURCE)
Camping is restricted to developed campgrounds in the Cougar Recreation Area. There are three developed campgrounds near the reservoir, Cougar Crossing, Slide Creek, and Sunnyside. The popular Terwilliger Hot Springs is along Rider Creek just west of the reservoir.
Approximately 55 miles from Eugene, Oregon,
and 160 miles from Portland
