Breitenbush Hot Springs and Retreat Center

Breitenbush Hot Springs Retreat and Conference Center is a remote forest sanctuary of timeless natural beauty surrounded by national forest. Blessed with abundant hot springs, a glacier-fed river, ancient forest and surrounding mountains, it is a place where one can disconnect and discover a deep personal connection with the natural world.

While the springs have a long history of use by indigenous people, we further developed the land in the 1920’s, building beautiful accommodations around the springs that foster an ease of spirit and connection with the organic forms of nature. We have 3 large Meadow pools that can accommodate 6-10 people, as well as a Sauna, Spiral Tubs, and many individual clawfoot tubs. These pools all revolve around our center, the historic Lodge. Inside our Lodge, we have a large living room with fireplace, piano, couches, and dining area. We offer massage services and Daily Wellbeing classes. Breitenbush Hot Springs has a long-standing reputation for excellence in our accommodations and stewardship of the natural environment.

We are a small community – especially since the wildfires of 2020. Our community includes persons of all ages. We elect a very active Board of Directors from amongst our membership to which our managing directors are accountable. The wildfires of 2020 and the Covid-19 pandemic were a huge loss of revenue for us, and we are now rebuilding and re-envisioning how to exist in this new world with new challenges. It’s a unique time to be here, and there are beautiful opportunities for growth, leadership, and community. 

Breitenbush is the largest thermal spring area in the Oregon Cascades. Every condition known to promote the emergence of hot springs exists here: subduction zone, volcano, glaciers, permeable rock, deeply incised intersection between volcanic ranges, watershed apex, floodplain and adjacent quaternary formation converge in this idyllic land nestled in a curve of the Breitenbush River. Living and working here, while very rewarding, is also challenging for some. Housing is rustic and most people share bathroom and cooking facilities. We generate our own electricity from the river and use geothermal wells to meet our heating needs.

Breitenbush is an off-grid intentional community and worker-owned cooperative. We, the members of the community, all live on 154 acres in this rugged and beautiful mountain setting and serve thousands of guests year-round at our holistic retreat center. Our emphasis is on service to our guests, each other, and to the greater global and universal community. Working at Breitenbush requires dedication to this service ethic, a sense of joy and excitement about your work, acceptance of personal responsibility and accountability, a desire for creativity and productivity, and a willingness to communicate openly and honestly.

We are a tight-knit team, almost all of whom live on land in community together. We have communal spaces for gatherings, movie nights, and dancing. Our lodging looks like many individual spaces, with shared separate facilities of bathrooms and kitchens. On-site, we work together collaboratively and conscientiously to ensure we meet all daily duties and enhance each other’s experience of being here. We consider ourselves stewards of these magical waters. 

When we’re not working, there is always time for soaking in the pools, especially at our private staff tubs and mineral shower. We have 154 acres for running, hiking, and exploring, as well as National Forest land surrounding us. Portland and Bend are both 2 hours away, and staff often adjourns to the city for some fun local offerings to be had. Food, skiing, concerts, and much more are a huge draw in these cities.