Kitson Hot Springs attracts Lane County buyers who plan to develop the site 

A new chapter is starting for Kitson Hot Springs, a steamy spot near Oakridge that has attracted bathers for more than a century to its soothing waters. 

Mark and LeeYen Anderson, a Eugene-area couple, purchased the nearly 160-acre private site in April for $2.1 million and plan to improve it into a wellness retreat that allows people to connect with nature. 

Kitson Hot Springs is about 5 miles southeast of Oakridge, located off a mountain road along Hills Creek, an offshoot of a large reservoir. At least as far back as the 1890s, the hot springs drew travelers, and pioneer David Kitson built a resort, hotel and bathhouse at the site. For centuries before, Native Americans knew of the springs.

The old resort is gone and the bathhouse is in ruins. After a series of owners, the Boy Scouts of America acquired the site from a donor and used the forested area for camping trips. The Boy Scouts sold it to the Andersons, following a period that included interest from Oakridge city officials to preserve the property.

“Water is very much a balm to the soul, and so the vision is to have day use, day use access to the hot springs, as well as overnight stays for groups to host their events for people that come really to develop a relationship with a special sacred piece of land,” LeeYen Anderson said. 

The hot springs will need facilities, including showers and bathrooms. The Andersons hope to eventually have day use of the hot spring available, along with camping and retreats.

They’re just getting started and have a master planner working on what they can do, which will require county permits. The land is zoned F-1, which limits building because of the forested area. The permitting and improvements could take years, though an exact timeline isn’t yet known, given the early stage of work.

“I’ve held retreats of my own for many years, and how this vision came about was really through an inner calling to steward a piece of land that can be offered for the benefit of the people that visit,” Anderson said. 

Anderson said they want to practice responsible forest management. They don’t plan to harvest timber but do want to make sure the area is clear of debris that could increase wildfire danger. 

Anderson said Oakridge community members have been open and welcoming. 

“Everyone is really excited for it, and so I think there’s momentum building for that support to come through,” Anderson said. “The final word comes from Lane County, and we want to do everything right.”

Anderson said they want to honor the full history of the location. 

“It was a Native American that showed Dave Kitson where it was in the first place,” Anderson said. “So we’re very much aware of the historical significance of this piece of land, and we don’t want to forget that even as we create a new vision for it.”

Born in Malaysia, Anderson has early memories of her parents taking her to a hot spring  — but not for soaking. Instead, they would scoop the water into a pail to take a bath. 

Oakridge support 

Support for Kitson Hot Springs is strong in Oakridge. A community organization called “Friends of Kitson Springs” wants to see the site flourish. 

That organization offers memberships and participants can access the private hot springs, usually every month or so. The group stays in contact with the Andersons and has their permission for the visits.

But they don’t go to enjoy a soak and leave it at that. The members also are committed to participating in work, such as clearing brush, cleaning the property or maintaining trails. 

Jamie Danek, an Oakridge resident who is helping the Andersons, said: “We’re a really small rural town and something like this can really have a really huge, positive impact on the community.”