Dec 3, 2025 - Things to Do

6 ways to warm up this winter in Portland

Meira Gebel

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Indoor swimming pool with light blue water, surrounded by white and wood lounge chairs with green cushions, tall leafy green plants, and a white glass ceiling with a ceiling fan. — A warm, poolside "daycation" is closer than you think. Photo: Courtesy of Cascada

It's officially cold outside.

This winter is sure to bring bone-chilling temperatures and wet weather, so if you're looking for a place to warm up, Portland has plenty of spas, saunas and steam options for the ultimate self-care day.

Here are six we love:

Two women exiting a barrel-shaped wooden sauna at night; one wears a black swimsuit, the other a blue swimsuit with a towel. Daytime view of sauna trailer with camping chairs and blankets nearby. — This roving riverfront sauna is quickly becoming a favorite among Portlanders who also love a cold plunge in the Willamette. Photo: Courtesy of Bang Nguyen

Guss

This mobile sauna bills itself as Portland's first riverfront, wood-fire barrel sauna, conveniently stationed at either Sellwood Riverfront Park or Cathedral Park for those willing to plunge into the Willamette post-schvitz.

Guss partners with Human Access Project and donates a portion of its $30 drop-in fee to the nonprofit's advocacy to spread the message that Portland's river is safe to swim in.

Cascada

It's 82 degrees year-round inside this new Northeast Portland hotel and spa's underground conservatory, which features warm mineral pools, sauna, ice bath, cold plunge and rare plants from around the world. Silence is golden in here, so bring a book.

In the secret garden outside you'll find a rainfall walk, hot tub and fire pit for socializing. A three-hour visit costs $100 per person.

Cozy outdoor patio at sunset with wooden pergola, orange bar stools, a stone floor, a built-in hot tub, and a wooden fire pit table beside blue cushioned seating. — Rob Nachbar's "Pong Springs" includes ping pong, fireplaces and a kegerator. Photo: Courtesy of Rob Nachbar

Pong Springs

Rob Nachbar's hot tub and backyard entertainment space is booked almost every weekend on Swimply, a platform known for its summertime pool rentals, but is expanding its lineup for the colder months.

The 100-inch screen and HD projector make it a popular spot for reality TV watch parties and football fans, plus "a lot of date nights," Nachbar tells Axios' Sami Sparber.

Knot Springs

Ease into a tranquil state with the help of this spa's many amenities: a tepid bath, hot tub, 47-degree cold plunge, eucalyptus-infused steam room and dry sauna.

Knot Springs also offers a range of massage and facial treatments.

Plus: The springs' floor-to-ceiling windows offer a stellar view of downtown from across the Burnside Bridge.

Löyly

If social spa clubs aren't your thing, head to one of Löyly's two locations for a more private sauna experience. The space is smaller, with timed reservations to ensure serenity.

Visits start at $30 for two hours, but there's also a variety of special treatments to choose from — like bodywork whisking, where leafy oak and birch branches are brushed over the skin to increase circulation.

The Lavender Lounge

Another Swimply option, this "queer-run urban retreat" has a hot tub, 170-degree barrel sauna and cold plunge in a quaint, enclosed string light-lit backyard.

Guests have access to a vintage camper stocked with hot tea, games, snacks and tarot cards.