Belknap Hot Springs Campground

The campground at Belknap Hot Springs Resort offers the natural beauty of a National Forest or State Park as well as the amenities of a rustic hot springs resort. Best of all, the camping fee includes unlimited access to the Belknap Hot Springs (including the private pool for overnight guests only). Most of the tent sites are situated across the river from the main resort. The sites are large, and some of them are very private. They are in a natural wooded area along the river that has a network of well-maintained hiking paths. They are also next to extensive semi-formal gardens that are gorgeous in the spring and summer. A large number of RV sites are available in the main resort area, as well as cabins and rooms in the main lodge.

The historical resort is the only survivor of a number of similar establishments that sprung up in Lane County in the late 19th Century. In the 1920s and 1930s Belknap was a destination for movie stars and celebrities (including Cary Grant and Herbert Hoover). The resort has been in operation continuously since the 1870s except for the decade from 1968 to 1978.

In addition to the hot springs and other resort activities, the entire upper Mckenzie area abounds with outdoor adventures. The McKenzie River Trail provides beautiful hiking and mountain biking right on Belknap's doorstep, with its 26 miles of old-growth riverside scenery. The river itself offers excellent fly fishing as well as Class III and IV whitewater. The old McKenzie highway is nearby, opening up the otherworldly lava rock landscape near the Three Sisters as well as wilderness access for backpacking and mountaineering.

The resort can be crowded in the summer (especially on holiday weekends), and the rustic resort atmosphere is not everyone's cup of tea, but if you are looking for beautiful surroundings, family friendly hot springs, and ample opportunities for outdoor recreation, Belknap is a great option. Note that there is a two-night minimum stay on weekends and holidays.