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About Our Cause
 Austin Hot Springs is private property and closed to the public.
History
Brought into private ownership by Seth Austen in 1903, it was sold to Portland General Electric in the 1940’s. PGE operated a campground and recreational area at the site. While operated by PGE as a park, the site included trash receptacles, outhouses, a campground, and an on-site caretaker. Many people throughout the region have fond memories of weekends spent with their families at Austin. Today most visitors are saddened when they return to see its condition today.
Existing Conditions
Austin Hot Springs is located on the West Cascades Scenic Byway, about halfway between the cities of Estacada (35 miles SE) and Detroit (35 miles north), in Clackamas County, Oregon. The property is surrounded by the Mt. Hood National Forest and is bisected by the Clackamas River and Hwy 224/FSR 46.
The property is currently closed, but trespassers, which could number more then 50,000 a year, continue to access the property to camp, picnic, and soak in the hot springs. Clackamas County Sheriffs Department and the USDA Forest Service have noted the area as an ‘Attractive Nuisance’, due to its high use and lack of management. This unmanaged use of the area has lead to environmental damage, trash dumping, crime, serious injury, and even death.
Although closed, the campground and many facilities still exist. |
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The Plan
Austin Preservation is currently raising finds to purchase the property and restore it. A purchase agreement has been signed and all that is needed is your donation!
Once the purchase is complete much work will be done to help restore years of abuse and neglect. The heavily used riverbank will be revegetated. The campground and forest will be rehabilitated. A balance of sustainable use and management will restore the scenic beauty and use the public once enjoyed.
Future restoration will include day-use/picnic facilities, outhouses, trails, camping and education opportunities. Other plans that will require government cooperation include campground development, cabins, and safe, salmon friendly, soaking pools.
The site will be managed 24 hours/7 days a week with an on-site caretaker. Proposed services would include on-site secure parking, garbage service, picnic tables, camping, restrooms, hiking trails, raft/kayak put-in, educational displays and firewood sales. Fees would be charged for: Parking, Day-Use, and Camping.
The long-term success of this destination depends of the cooperation of Clackamas County, the Oregon Department of Forestry, and the USDA Forest Service together with Austin Preservation. The Forest Service has already expressed a willingness to work together. Here is Mt Hood National Forests’ Letter of Support (link to pdf). The Department of Forestry has expressed the desire for active management of this site. It is hoped Clackamas County will see the benefit of this area being actively managed to protect and benefit the environment, the river and watershed, and the public visitors to the area. It is hoped that the site can become an economic benefit to the county and tourist destination for visitors to Clackamas County.
The Future
The sky is the limit. Austin Preservation envisions a wonderful future of sustainable management. Renewable energy, Habitat Restoration, Education, Managed Recreation, Emergency Services, Sustainable Forest Management, all self sustaining from site use fees and renewable resources.
Austin Preservation sees a future where those creating the impact of recreating in the forest are also the ones giving back and participating in volunteer work parties and educational workshops. Families can enjoy recreation and learn how to be good stewards at the same time.
This destination has the possibility to be an example of sustainable, balanced use and economic development. Help save Austin Hot Springs! |
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