Bagby Hot Springs bathhouse closed, set for demolition

Randy L Rasmussen/The Oregonian

A bathhouse at the beloved Bagby Hot Springs, nestled in the foothills of the Cascade Mountains, has been closed to the public and slated for demolition.

The Mount Hood National Forest has closed Bathhouse 2 – known for offering visitors private soaking pools made out of cedar logs – due to “severe deterioration and rot,” calling it unsafe for anyone to be in or on the structure.

The Statesman Journal reported Thursday that the U.S. Forest Service plans to demolish the structure over the summer, as part of a long-term plan to redesign the entire site. Until then, Bathhouses 1 and 3, which offer public soaking tubs, will remain open.

“Our primary concern was that people soaking would break through the floor and fall quite a long way,” Clackamas River District Ranger Jackie Groce told the Statesman Journal. “The extent of the rotting meant a there was no quick fix.”

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Faith Cathcart/The Oregonian

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Bagby Hot Springs is popular for its natural hot springs and rustic soaking tubs, but that combination of hot water and damp weather has naturally led to rot throughout the wooden structures. Any future design will take that into consideration, Groce said.

Despite its laid-back forest setting, Bagby has attracted vandalism, litter and crime over the years, convincing the forest service to outsource management to a private vendor in 2012. The new management banned public nudity, alcohol and camping, and issued a $5 per person soaking fee in place of the $5 parking fee at the trailhead leading up to the pools.

The forest service has not announced any details or timeline of the future redesign, and has not said whether that will change any of the rules or fees now in place.

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