Sauna Circuit Scout “Thermal Terry” joins us from the land of PDX. Welcome Terry!
Portland’s sauna scene has exploded in the past few years from the high-rise and high-end Ritz Carlton Spa and super-luxe Cascada Thermal Springs & Hotel all the way to the approachable spots in backyards and at backwoodsy scenes of the homegrown sauna experiences.
The mighty Pacific Ocean of the West Coast in Astoria anchors Japan-based Snow Peak Onsen, The Ofuro Spa. The National Scenic Area, the Columbia River Gorge is shared by Washington State’s southern coastline and Oregon’s north shore. That leads you to wind surfing destination John Kerry made famous on a presidential campaign spot, Hood River, Oregon. There you’ll find The Society Hotel and Bathhouse.
The mainstays born from Oregon’s hippie movement are still steaming strong: Carson Hot Springs and Bonneville Hot Springs Resort and Spa are both in the Gorge, while Breitenbush Hot Springs, deep in the Cascade Mountain Range along the route to Central Oregon, an outdoor adventurers dreamland for hiking, biking, white water, climbing and camping. The explosive growth of the City of Bend boasts one of Oregon’s original mobile sauna operations, Gather Sauna House alongside the icy Deschutes River. Don’t miss their Latvian-inspired baltic bathing herbal ritual experiences.
In fact 34 unique public sauna destinations can be booked right now for visitors who make the journey to PDX.
| Location | Description | Adjacency | |
| 1 | Connect Wellness | Giving bucolic countryside vibes not too far out of town, this homegrown wood-fired sauna spot with hot soaking and icy plunges is chalk full of whimsy, artistic nature vibes, and lots of down-to-earth locals who adore their sweat bathing practices. | Sweet Touch Cafe & Svitoch |
| 2 | Uptown Sauna House | A small scale sauna and cold plunge outdoor sauna spot offering contrast therapy for relaxation, recovery, and renewal — in the heart of Vancouver, USA | Trap Door Taphouse |
| 3 | Ebb and Ember Floating Spa | On the Columbia River, a floating barge, propane-heated, sauna offers a rooftop jump-off deck, docked within a quaint maritime-style boathouse community and offers great views of Mt. Hood on a clear day. | Pal’s on Hayden Island |
| 4 | Cascada Thermal Springs & Spa | A ritzy high-end luxury space offering an underground bathhouse scene with lots of soaking pools and an aura of exclusivity. | Hat Yai Thai Restaurant |
| 5 | Loyly Sauna | One of Portland’s original sauna spots, now with 2 different locations in Portland, both are well worth a visit and offer massage, facials, foot soaks, and deep heat saunas from electric Iki heaters. | Little T Baker |
| 6 | Knot Springs | A ritzy high-end luxury space offering a high-rise bathhouse scene with lots of soaking pools and an aura of exclusivity. | Eastbank Esplanade Riverwalk |
| 7 | Koti | Nestled in a cozy serene backyard space just outside the city, this extra-spacious Finnish sauna spot offers a genuine homey hospitality of a family-run Bed and Breakfast atmosphere with cold plunges, outdoor showers and lots of strong steam from dual electric heaters. | Minthorn Springs Wetland nature hike |
| 8 | SaunaGlo | Found just a block away from the scenic Willamette River, SaunaGlo provides an inclusive atmosphere of social sauna and community connection with a pull-rope bucket shower, cold plunge, beer and wine on offer, and a botanical living lounge, all wrapping around a large 20-person cedar sauna powered by dual electric heaters. | Elk Rock Island nature hike |
