The Hot Spring:

  Bigelow Hot Spring otherwise known as Deer Creek after the nearby road is a nice small sand and gravel pool.  The pool is only big enough for four people but the temperature is about perfect at about 103 degrees Fahrenheit.  It is located along the bank of the McKenzie River and the pool is cut into the river bank and surrounded by overhanging ferns.  The water seeps into the sand bottom and is mixed with the river water to maintain the soaking temperature.  The temperature of the pool is controlled moving the rocks forming the walls.  During the spring and winter the pool is often too cold to soak due to high river level and water seeping out of the bank.

  Like many of the springs in the Willamette National Forest Bigelow is closed at night.  This is to detour the use of the spring as a party spot.  This spring never did become too popular but this closure is perhaps due to the behavior at the nearby Cougar Hot Springs.  The parking area seems to be patrolled often and there is a large fine if caught soaking at night, also if the spring is abused it could be totally closed (which no one wants).