Looking for a relaxing and unique winter weekend outing in Oregon? Are you interested in a different way to spend Valentine’s Day with your sweetheart? How about heading out to one of our states 45 (give or take a few) hot springs? Hot springs are formed when the molten rock deep in the Earths interior transmits heat upward through solid rock to groundwater which has penetrated to that depth. This extremely hot water then forces its way upward through fissures and fractures, warming rocks and water as it goes. Where the hot water can escape at the grounds surface, a hot spring is formed. Many believe that these waters may hold therapeutic effects which relieve or restore health. The waters of hot springs do have energetic factors such as the powerful ionization, mineralization, radioactivity, gases and PH variations. The mineralization of the waters is always closely related to the composition of the soil in which they arise, and in general, they contain fluorine, iron, bromine, boron, iodine, chrome, sodium, phosphorus, and carbon silicon to name a few. Many of Oregon’s hot springs are quite close to major cities, such as Portland, Salem, Eugene, and Bend. No matter where you are, chances are you’re probably no more than a couple of hours from a place to soak, making this a perfect weekend getaway. Many of these hot springs are in the wilderness and require a bit of a hike in, but many of them are incorporated with campgrounds, RV parks, and resorts. Some are quite rustic, and others more modernized, so no matter what your preference, with a little research you can find the perfect hot springs for you and your family. We found soakoregon.com to have most all of the hot springs listed, with plenty of great information on each one. A personal favorite is Summer Lake Hot Springs near Paisley, Oregon. It’s a rustic gem out in the middle of nowhere, and with RV Hookups featuring water, sewer, and 20-50 amp electric, it’s a perfect place to get away and do some serious relaxing. Also, it is worth noting that just a few miles down the road in Paisley at the Pioneer Saloon and Cafe, the pizza is outstanding and the service is as small town friendly as you would hope for. Interested in California Hot Springs? Click here for a HUGE directory. Do you have a favorite hot spring? Tell us all about it here or share with us on our Facebook page!