Orr Hot Springs Resort

Orr Hot springs is a magical, peaceful, healing, and humble place! This property is so calming and nurturing. It's nestled in a tiny valley, cradled by beautiful trees and blending into wildlife. There are many different soaking options depending on your mood and desires. The communal kitchen is well equipped and clean. Their system is impeccable! I felt so safe and relaxed here, giving me the full nervous system reset I needed.

I’ve just returned from the 2.5 hour drive from Oakland to Orr for the second time. This place is pure magic! They offer all kinds of accommodations including camping platforms, yurts, cabins, and the creek house cottage. I prefer the cabins because they come with a private bathroom, kitchen, dining room, and bedroom; perfect after a long soak in the hot springs and you want the comforts of home while in a rustic environment. Not having service or WiFi is a huge plus because it’s truly a nervous system reset not being distracted by notifications or the urge to doom scroll social media. The other attractive features include preparing your own meals. I love to cook and having fun making comfort food and eating outside with other guest is a great way to decompress and do people things like talk about the weather and share stories of past adventures. The community kitchen has tools not found in the cabins so check it out, preparing ingredients on the large counters then cooking in the cabin is a fun way to hybrid your experience. I recommend driving down the way and walking the trails of Montgomery Woods. It’s an extremely quiet place and has the most prehistoric feel and breathtaking perspectives of ancient redwood trees far from the ocean (it’s unique, look it up) that survived a fire with the scars to prove it. The plaques throughout the forest will inform you of its history and the people who influenced its preservation. After a good long hike around the forest, the bathhouse is the best next destination. Disrobe to your comfort level (it’s clothing optional), rinse off at the communal showers, then step into one of the many pools or amenities. The hottest pool has the water fall and is closest to the showers, the second pool is cooler for those who need to gradually enter hot water or cool off from the hot pool. The swimming pool is cooler and refreshing. The single pool connected to it is comfortable and warm. The steam room and dry sauna are in the back and have special hours, are clean, and well maintained. The personal tubs scattered around the bathhouse are nice and hot, perfect for night time soaks. NOTE: you can soak alllll night if your choose. They close the doors from 10am to 12pm everyday so a 3:14am soak isn’t unheard of. The view of the starts at night is breathtaking, especially in a mineral hot spring personal tub on the observation deck. I count the satellites and shooting stars I can see when I’m soaking and you should give it the old try too. Overall, this is a true natural gem 💎

This place grew on us over the two days. The check in isn’t the best experience to leave a good first impression. It was a bit too military style; the not so warm lady sits you down and reels off in rapid pace a long spiel of what’s what with rules of which we remembered nada and were a little scared to ask for a repetition. The setting really is beautiful and the most attractive part. It’s surrounded by redwoods and has a lovely trail a mile up the road. The cottages are basic but the beds are comfy and we liked having our own toilet. We were not so in love with the communal kitchen, it was too small (if you have been to Wilbur this kitchen pales in comparison). I guess the thing that frustrated us the most was that the baths are closed for cleaning at 10am-12, Especially since on check out day you have to be out by noon. I love that there are no electronics and no one is on their phones , but found it a little much when the lady said no kindles at the pools when it’s just reading. We did love the single bath experience and found it very private and relaxing before bed. We wished the bigger pool was the more heated one as the other two pools that were hot could get kinda cramped. All in all we would go back, maybe the lady will be a little more mellow.😀

Such a magical place! Beautiful and so relaxing. Having a full kitchen in which to cook was a huge bonus. I loved the tubs that were pretty much the perfect temperature. Be sure to book in advance. We camped by the river and it was COLD but so peaceful. The water smells like sulfur and there's no food on site, so bring your own to prepare in their kitchen. They have a fridge and pantry to keep your food items in.

Easy booking. They only allow a limited number of people, so never too crowded. Steam room and large pool are great. Great description and what is and isn't available. No food available. Bring your own. Kitchen has all dinner and cookware. Very Relaxing. No electronics allowed around pools.

a unique resort unlike any other. serene environment lush with trees, moss; fairytale-like. comfortable & quiet accommodations, large kitchen filled with everything you'd need to make a meal. multiple tubs to soak including 2 rooftop tubs, a large cold pool, sauna & steam room. there's also private rooms with tubs, but everyone is respectful & they won't tolerate anything less on the property. my most favorite place i only wish i could go more often! I'd like to stress the fact that if you stay in a cabin & like to sleep past 9am, a yurt might be a better option. i stayed recently & was woken up both mornings lol. my only complaint. i don't remember that ever being an issue before, but it definitely was this last visit! yurts are " stand alone" so you won't hear neighbors, but you'll lose the bathroom. i wish there was a better option & it might affect me wanting to stay again in the future.

I’ve stayed at Orr twice, once traveling alone and seeking a solo meditative retreat, and once with my wife for a romantic escape. Both great experiences. The resort is in a very tranquil and naturally beautiful location, with a very mellow and reserved clientele. No internet, no cell signal, nowhere to be, no tasks to do. Spent literally hours soaking in the hot springs meditating and relaxing --- just what we needed. During the two hours per day when the pools are being cleaned, we ambled through the stunning old growth redwood forest just minutes up the road. Later that day we also drove an hour on a winding road through the hills to walk the stunning Mendocino Headlands at sunset. The resort is in a uniquely beautiful area. The kitchen is communal, and amply stocked with everything you need except food, so stop at a grocery store on the way there. Note that the hot springs bathhouse and pools are separated from the rest of the camp resort by a couple of bridges with gates, and within the hot springs area just about everyone is soaking in nothing but their own beautiful god-given skin. A very respectful, nonjudgemental, meditative atmosphere prevails, and folks mostly keep to themselves, move slowly, and speak softly. If you are looking for a party ... move along ... nothing to see here. In sum, the resort is perfect for people who appreciate tranquility, relaxation, human beauty without pretense, all in a remote and naturally lovely setting.

The whole place could use a face lift (eg there are tears/stains on the ceilings)but in some ways the rustic/old feeling is part of the charm. The place is very small and set in a magical, verdant nook between mountains. The hot springs offer different temperature pools and a sauna but be warned that it does smell pretty strongly of sulfur. Enjoyed the nearby hike in the redwoods.

Very tranquil and peaceful deserted hot springs. $50/ day to use to various pools and saunas. Clothing optional. You have to bring your own towels and your own food if you want any food or snacks. It was really nice. It could've been a little cleaner is my only complaint.

The place is nice, I love the hot spring. the cabins are oK , some don't have a private shower, so you have outside showers , same for the kitchen, all share, which is fine. the service over the phone is what I have an issue with, very bad attitude , not nice at all . I visit there twice before, first time was nice, second time time I had a problem again with the reservation over the phone , and now again, 2 years after, I want it to book a room for xmas time, and the bad attitude , also min 3 nights . its their policy , I get it. just very rude over the phone, not even trying to find you an place,. or any help. I would not visit there again

Complete relaxation and rejuvenation in a non judgmental and unpretentious environment. No one wore suits of any kind in the pool/spa area, as clothing optional was meant to be. Makes sense to pay a bit more for two in a tent for the night with complete access to all facilities thereby absorbing the full experience of the property beyond day use hours.

Management is unprofessional, and far from inviting and warm. We arrived at 12 for day use. The bath area is closed down every day between 10-12 for cleaning. All the tubs on our arrival were filth. Front desk told me the tubs were cleaned. Scum and dirt all around the rim of the tubs. There's a sign in each room to unplug the tub when leaving and a brush to scrub the tub down with. No one visiting or cleaning seems to understand the meaning of scrub the tub. Repeatedly I am having to empty the tub and scrub because the person in front of me does not read the rules. I love the nature and waters of Orr, but the staff, lack of professionalism and care/concern for their paying patrons the sanitary conditions leaves me disappointed and reconsidering ever returning to Orr.

I have been going here for 12 years. I went on my honeymoon and when I need to go to that place in my mind of just pure paradise, serenity, and I picture Orr Hot Springs it's just the sweetest place in the world. I always do at least two days there it takes two days to really relax slow down and get the healing And put away the cell phone and television. it does take a little bit of planning in terms of what you want to bring in terms of food that's not hard every time we've always made new friends and it's very international on our last visit, we made plans with a couple really nice people to get together with them. I've seen bad reviews here, but I think written by selfish people who don't understand what this place is all about.

My visit to this hot springs was amazing. I was there for day use only. The facility is clean. There is a covered hot pool. A warm pool. A cold tub. Two sauna rooms. A large size swimming pool that I really enjoy. The day use price is very reasonable considering the amount of time you can stay there. The natural hot springs. The beautiful surroundings. My only suggestion is to have a larger cold pool or add one more cold tub. I will be back for sure.

Wonderful experience! Will be back again. No kidding on the none-service zone. Soon after you make the turn to the dirt road your service start to go away. lol

For $50 I thought my experience would be a lot better. There aren't that many pools/hot tubs as I thought there would be. The hottest tubs are literally bathtubs that you have to sit in individually so you can't really enjoy the company of the person you are with if that's what you're looking for. Also there were dead bugs in the sauna.

One of best places I know of. I have been now 6 times. First time was with previous girlfriend, name I will not say. Make sure you bring groceries with you, and your cellphone, it must have a vacation too. Think of your cellphone as a person and it will start supporting instead ruling over you. Mystery practice I invented. Anyway, there is allowed nudity here as you mostly likely know. This is the natural state of mankind. As we came from the Garden, as we will go into the Void. Enjoy your body while you visit. It is the only one you will have in this life. Make a new friend here in the community kitchen. One time I came in at night after long and wonderful soak in tubs, and there was couple from Spain. Spain and Italy do not have... rivalry. We are ok. Our language very, very similar. They were talking about oil, they didn't have olive oil. Woman was become a little irritated with man because he forgot olive oil. I say, "but I did not!" And I pull out can of pure Puglia olive oil, expensive. I offer to them, said use this all weekend. There was little voice inside what said "don't, that's the last of it from your trip!" But then I remember that to get, we must give. Of course, I couldn't help remind them that this was better oil than the Spanish. I made them admit this, then I offered it. Pasquale is a rascal sometimes. Do not lose this quality or life become boring.

It's not easy to find fault with Orr Hot Springs. It's only a half hour drive from Ukiah, it's in a beautiful valley with a creek running through it and it has an old growth forest next door (we found a yew tree on the creek!). It's a mineral spring and the hot tubs are all shallow which make for easy lounging. I wouldn't have minded them to be a bit hotter, but based on the other guests comments, most were content with the temperature or thought it was too hot. However, we (myself and my wife) were disappointed that the saunas are only heated to 115°. That's not very hot, by naked standards. I would expect at least 125° to be the baseline. Additionally, both saunas were cold half an hour before they were to be closed for cleaning at 9:30 am. The dry sauna in particular felt run down and in need of some love. The interior cedar siding was very rough and leaning against it wasn't a pleasant feeling, with bits of wood sloughing off and the feeling like a splinter wasn't too unlikely made relaxing a determined effort. The steam sauna wasn't any better, as its controls wer temperamental and it's hard to get it to produce steam. There are very specific instructions to follow in order to make it cycle through a 60 minute steam cycle but we couldn't get it to work. I don't know if the people/guests before us pressed the #1 button too many times, DON'T DO THIS we are told, but the instructions didn't work and I have little patience in trying to make something work when I have paid good money in the anticipation of it working without my ingenuity being called upon for said service. All in all, it is a beautiful little spot just off the path, but it feels like it's a bit run down and there wasn't any indication that the staff were aware of it or concerned about it. Yes it's rustic and quaint, that's part of the charm but they charge too much to slack off on the details. Also, it's worth mentioning, they don't give keys to lock up your room and they have a sign in the parking lot across the road stating they don't take responsibility for your vehicle, I would assume this is in the event it is burgled or damaged otherwise. What is one supposed to do to secure one's wallet and car keys? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ I guess that's part of the vibe and we just went along with it with no ill experiences, but someone did start walking in on us while we were in bed before we learned to take the precaution of locking our door behind us when we were in our room. Outside of our room, we just had to trust to the good graces of the other guests. Here's to all of the future guests being considerate and respectful.

I tried to make a reservation for day use in order to join a friend for her birthday. for some reason the person I spoke with would not let me make just a single day use reservation unless I knew the name of the party I was with. it was weird and I didn't understand why I couldn't just reserve for myself. Once I called back I was told that I couldn't make the reservation because they were full that day and I ended up missing my friend's birthday. I felt it was poor on their end and very odd that I wasn't allowed to reserve just a single use as it would have amounted to the same number of people at the springs that day. frustrating and confusing. Not very friendly either.

Review is for DAY-USE. Loved the natural surroundings! felt like retreat without cell reception and wifi. Very HOT springs! we loved the fact no chemicals used. The facility is very clean; loved the communal kitchen. I felt little inconsistency with the staff - some were very knowledgeable and warm but some were not. It is cloth Optional. Be aware before you take children there.... depending on your culture and value.

This post contains the email I sent to management after a recent stay. While I understand the necessity for cancellations policies (and may get some flak about this post) many businesses will have some flexibility depending on the circumstances. _________ "I'm reaching out about a recent visit I had and wish to share some thoughts about my experience and the refund policy. I reserved a campsite for 2 nights for two people and the day prior to the visit, the other party had to cancel due to a severe illness. When I arrived for check-in, I let the person at the front desk know that I would be the only one staying because of the aforementioned reason and made no comment regarding a refund. After sharing that I was the only person staying, I was told rather abruptly that, "well there's nothing we can do about that now." What this response translated to was simply, "tough s***." I shared this information about the other party in case there was a need to keep a head count or any other reason. Upon reflection I realized that the cancellation policy around campsites really should be more nuanced. In my case, the site wasn't left open at the last minute with no one to fill it. I paid my appropriate share to stay and use the facilities like everyone else. The other party not attending in no way affected the usage of the campsite or facilities. The resort was not fully booked and therefore the last minute cancellation of one party did not stop anyone else from visiting due to any capacity limits. What I've concluded is that I spent over $300 for two nights of camping which is pretty ridiculous, even for a resort stay. It's problematic enough that there is a two night minimum for a campsite even in the middle of the week when I've seen multiple sites unfilled for days. It seems that the more financially prudent option would be to allow a single night stay over a total loss. It's also a reason why I've stopped coming so often. It was hard enough to have birthday plans fall through due to an illness, however, $300 for camping is a huge financial blow and offensive to say the least. Over the last 10 years I've enjoyed my stays, but I'm sorry to say that I think this past visit will be my last. Perhaps the influx of wealthier visitors means that losing one is no big deal, but what I do know is that I likely won't recommend Orr to anyone in the future." _______ I'm really sad to say that the response I received was a short note that they would speak to the staff member, appreciated my input, and they hoped I would return. I had let go of the fact that Orr doesn't have the "hippie vibe" it once had and has been inundated with the Tesla crowd, but this simple response really did me in this time. Orr has become that family member that you still love, but don't like much anymore.

My wife and I have been trying to visit this Hot Spring for a few years now. We finally made it on May 8. We reserved two day use passes over the phone. The resort exceeded our expectations. We enjoy visiting both non-commercial and commercial hot springs. We found the resort to be clean, well maintained, not crowded, appealing, and relaxing. We found the staff to be friendly and helpful. We were worried about possible overcrowding. But the reservations appear to be carefully managed to avoid that problem. The water quality was very good. The vibe was very good.

Friendly staff, beautiful location, fun to catch & release the frogs but not much to do on site for families/kiddos since they can only go to tub/pool area between 12-6pm. Cleaning of tubs between 10am-noon. I would return probably when we are older and want to get away from WiFi and cell service.

I'll be back, sooner than later. This place is amazing. Simple but well kept, very well kept. The energy that flows here is positive albeit some of us may be going through painful things this place is healing. Over pack your first time. I'll probably take half as much stuff next time. The communal kitchen really has just about everything you need but bring your own food. fish peddler in Ukiah had some great oysters that went with the champagne I brought. The Raley's in Ukiah had some other essentials. check your ego at the gate and enjoy all of the flowing water.

Peaceful tranquility are the words that come to me for this wonderful place! Just the break i needed. I will return bc of the stunning nature that surrounds this place! It is the lush green is truly unique and much different than most of the other hot spring places in northern CA and the Reno area.

I was visiting Northern California and a friend in Mendocino County so we decided to head to Orr. I made the reservation a few weeks before and we got a yurt. I highly recommend that as it was spacious and had a really nice feel. Check in was easy and very pleasant. The gentleman was extremely helpful and detailed with information about the resort. Fairly priced! Wasn't too crowded and when they say clothing optional, they mean it! We made a nice dinner in the kitchen and they had everything you needed to prepare your meal. Ate outside on the picnic table under the stars. Perfect night. Looks were warm and perfect and the steam room was a nice touch This place is Magical. I am across the country but I would love to return sometime again

I may never go to Orr again, based on principal and it's just not a decent value anymore. Their prices have skyrocketed and now they have two and three night minimums, even for camping. Which means two nights camping is $332. Two nights in a small old room is over $500. Other rooms are 3 night minimum (REALLY?) I used to come here regularly and it was much much more affordable. They have alot of excuses as to why they raised prices so much, and that they have so much to offer. I don't really buy it - I can go to other hotsprings and feel much better about what they offer and their fair pricing and night stay policies.

This was my first time to a hot springs clothing optional resort. We stayed in yurt 24, perfect for the 2 of us. I found the resort to be very clean and well run ( thanks Sid) the communal kitchen was very well stocked and had everything, knives need sharpening ( like my house ) dull knives are dangerous! You need to bring all your own food and drinks since they do not provide anything!! It's a 20 mile trip back into town on a bumpy road, so be a good scout and come prepared! Our yurt was pristine, the linens soft and very clean, I'm really picky about this stuff...we had my usual Dom and I gave some to Sid since he had never tried it before, Champagne is the elixir of the gods to me... The hot pools were very clean as well, the steam room was not working that was a bummer! That's important to me. The lounge chairs ( only 3) were really tired and having cushions would be nice. We met some very nice people and had fun, 2 days is perfect! The one negative was a lady who had a dog with her, it says it's strictly prohibited, so what was so special about her ??

BEWARE! The customer service here THE WORST I HAVE EXPERIENCED! They charge a cancellation fee no matter how in advance you cancel your stay. When booking over the phone (which btw how do you NOT have online booking in 2023?!) they don't tell you about the no-matter what cancellation charge. You then get a confirmation with fine print that is sneakily worded saying you will be charged. When bringing this issue up, there was no apology just a cold rude email back from their staff. They just lost a customer all for $25. For context, I cancelled 8 days (over a week) in advance.

These seeming new agers are rather hard nosed business people when you get right down to it. We had booked two nights in Dec but were forced to cancel (admittedly at the last minute) due to two of the three of us getting covid and they refused to either give us a refund or a credit for a later date. So just keep that in mind. I guess they would have preferred that we show up and turn their resort into a super spreader event. We didn't and were forced to swallow our $800. prepayment with no apologies or concern from the staff for our predicament. So keep their attitude in mind when you think about going there. We, who had been before, won't be back.

Nerdy Opener: Orr is basically a clothing-optional version of the Shire in Middle Earth, you know, that northern part where Hobbiton meets the Bindbole Woods. Huts with living roofs, stone footpaths, small footbridges over the river, ferns, small waterfalls, soft green woodsy areas, communal kitchens, sitting rooms with big comfy furniture, mellow laid-back people chilling... The Journey In: It's nice that I don't have to travel to New Zealand for a hobbit hot spring experience. I'll stop being nerdy now. Be warned, Orr Hot Springs road is unkind to the carsick and to cars with cumbersome handling. Twists, turns, hairpins, blind corners, etc. Count 12 miles from the turn onto the road, and then Orr Resort is pretty obvious once you get there, on the left, after some wooden fencing. There is a check in parking lot first, to the left, and then two lots to the right if you miss this one. It's $30 for day use, and make sure to book in advance. It fills up fast, and they only let a certain amount of people in a day to make sure everything stays pristine. No groups of more than 4 are allowed. Relaxing Atmosphere Makes a 5 Star Experience: I really enjoyed the atmosphere here. Orr has posted signs that stress the importance of making all guests feel comfortable at all times, and everyone pretty much abides by these rules, from what I saw. They also are reiterated upon check in (I appreciated this because sometimes these places don't give you much info upon check in, and it's kind of abrupt and awkward. I appreciated the overview.). The outdoor hot pools are rather small in size, but they feel very nice and are well kept due to the daily attendance cap. Clear, calm, and naturally filtered through a drainage system. Our favorite was a snug warm pool (I would guess just shy of 100 degrees.) built into the far side of the cold swimming pool. It fit me and two friends perfectly. Orr has just about everything: Friendly Frenchman to greet, advise, and give a mini tour of the map? Check. A mellow cat named Elvis that loves pets and tolerates selfies? Check. Communal sitting areas, kitchens, shelves stuffed with books and games, and cabins to rent out for a weekend? Check. A fully functioning website and responsive, welcoming staff? Check. Three outdoor hot pools of varying size and temperature, one large spring fed swimming pool, and several private baths both indoors and outdoors? Check. Lockers, changing rooms, showers, steam room, sauna, and massage? Check. Spacious HEATED bathroom easily accessible from the pools? Check! Important: As always, check the weather before heading out. The road is unforgiving enough without rain, with makes it more difficult. There are soft shoulders with plenty of nice mud to potentially get stuck in. However, if you have faith in your driving and your car, you'll be fine. When we went this past weekend, it did rain on us, but it was light drizzle and only added to the experience. I liked sitting outdoors in the snug hot pool as rain fell on me from above. Additionally, be advised that your cell phone will not work here, and there is no wifi. If you route your phone from Ukiah, googlemaps could take you all the way (mine did!), but that's all you get. Yelpers: Check in when you get back to Ukiah proper. Checking in while you're here won't happen. I can't wait to come back for perhaps a romantic weekend or to try that Montgomery Redwoods hiking trail further down the road.

We found Orr to be delightful. Quiet and peaceful, well kept, beautiful gardens, friendly staff, clean. A well equipped and orderly communal kitchen. Adequate baths set amid gardens and grazing deer, and a good sauna. The Montgomery Woods State Reserve is less than two miles away, and the groves of old growth redwoods are totally gorgeous. No connectivity, which was marvelous! We'll be back.

I've been a fan of Orr for over 7 years now - it's a very relaxing place to spend a long weekend, and Elvis the cat is the "host with the most" and always does his part to make me feel comfortable and welcome. The isolation is one of my favorite things - there are no cell phone signals here. There is no commerce. There are no classes. Just really nice pools, nature and whatever you brought (so pack carefully!). With Orr - you have options - you can bring all your food and just stay put. It's very relaxing to soak and sit in the gardens, listen to the birds and hang out with Elvis (but you have to be prepared for him to abandon you when I show up!). If you feel like a bit of travel - there is a really nice redwood grove nearby. You could head west and in 45 minutes of peaceful wooded one lane roads you will be at The Ravens, right on the coast. You can head south a bit to Anderson Valley to do some wine tasting. Keep in mind - only the pools area is clothing optional, and the pools are a QUIET ZONE - voices carry, especially from the deck on top of the bath house down to the warm pools down below.

Orr makes a perfect midweek getaway for worldweary travelers and toilers of all ages, orientations, and body types. You will find yourself doing unexpected things here, like waking up before sunrise to slip naked into a claw foot bathtub filled with warm water, as the morning light slowly causes the last of the previous night's stars to fade. You will visit a steam room or dry sauna at midnight before slipping effortlessly into a darkened pool of clear, healing waters. You will sleep in a yurt for the first time, lulled to sleep by wind and rustling of dry leaves. You will sip Anderson Valley wine while nibbling fresh sourdough bread, herbed goat cheese, and sliced cured salmon. You will walk barefoot on gravel pathways as orange butterflies, blue dragonflies, and green hummingbirds flit and hover above your head. And at twilight you will soak in waters while bats emerge from their caves to hunt insects as the light of a half moon caresses the sky. You will walk amidst ancient redwoods and brush your fingertips along the underside of lush ferns while your partner practices yoga poses on the trunk of a fallen giant. Who needs to dream when reality can look and feel like this? Not all natural hot springs are created equally. There is only one place like Orr. There is no other! Bring food, drink, a soft Turkish cotton robe for morning and evening soaking, extra towels, a headlamp or flashlight, and books (or ebooks) for reading. You can store items in a shared freezer, several large refrigerators, and a pantry. There is a coffee grinder and French Press coffee pots and some plastic pourover filters, but no paper filters, so bring your own and some extra for your fellow guests. A large Weber gas grill is outside for guest use and is directly connected to the main propane fuel supply here. While many guests are vegan or vegetarian, carnivores (especially if they bring locally farmed, ranched, fished, or smoked items) are most definitely welcome too! The yurts are located just outside the gates of the main hot springs area, and are quieter than some of the rooms, which have thin walls that let in disruptive noises (toilet flushing, lovemaking, etc.), so if you book a room with shared wall and are noise sensitive, take along earplugs as well. Camping grounds are also available. Some have a wooden deck so you can even sleep in the open without an actual tent (an air mattress or good sleeping bag and pad will do), but others are on uneven dirt ground near the creek which flows through the property, and in wet weather, the creek level tends to vary. You can drive here in 30 minutes from Ukiah, but if you drive slowly (and the road is narrow with at least one section of single-lane access on a bumpy metal temporary bridge), you may need 45 minutes. You can also access the hot springs from the coast, or from Anderson Valley (where the best local wines are made) using Flynn Creek Road as a connector to Comptche. While Montgomery Redwoods reserve isn't technically part of Orr Hot Springs, basically everyone comes here to admire the ancient old growth trees and there is no entrance fee. Parking can fill up, but you can also park on the other side of the road if there aren't spaces free. Be prepared for an adventure! Bring a suit or two, but don't be surprised if you stop wearing it after a day or two at Orr. No one cares what you decide, so pick your personal comfort level and calibrate it based on your experience and on the behavior of the other guests. Staff are always willing to advise and assist if needed!

This place has a cool, older hippie vibe. The atmosphere is serene and picturesque. The accommodations and furnishings are very simple, comfortable but clean. Orr is one of the original eco resorts. They make an effort to minimize waste with thoughtful choices like paper bag lined waste baskets, recycling and composting. The rooms are supplied with quality stainless steel appliances and glass and ceramic cookware. Either travel light or expect a light workout getting your items to and from your car. They do provide carts to wheel all your earthly belongings. The staff are kind and down to earth and happy to answer any questions you might have. The individual baths, communal pools and cold pool are cleaned everyday 10-12pm, keeping up high sanitation standards. Awesome. The cold pool is a little mossy but still beautiful and refreshing. Bring your own towels and a robe because it's a chilly walk back to your room. Just a heads up- the sauna and steam room are closed due to Covid. But you could bring your own massage table- that's what we did. There is a beautiful, easy hike through majestic redwoods nearby. Worth the short drive. There is no WiFi or cell service so you can be completely present and unhindered by your typical work and/or social life obligations. Enjoy!

I have been contemplating this review since the end of January. WHAT A NIGHTMARE experience, from booking to leaving the property. It was all pretty bad. PHOTOS BELOW. Booking: the website requires that you call, I left a voicemail and expected a call back. When the 1st woman called me back to help me book, she was in a foul mood. I could hear her audibly sigh in annoyance when I asked her to explain something. I wasn't ready to book, she wasn't very helpful, I decided to call back. 2nd woman that helped me was even worse. She asked if we were going with a group, I said yes, and that's when she lost it. We had NO IDEA that they have a very strict policy regarding groups. She told me she couldn't book me and that she was going to call my friend who had booked separately after speaking to her manager to see if we could even be approved "as they cater primarily to couples and wouldn't want our group monopolizing the kitchen and making their other guests uncomfortable." Wow. I didn't care to even go there anymore at this point. Our friend was able to smooth that rough conversation over and we were told we would HAVE TO stay in the communal cabin if we wanted to keep our reservations. COMMUNAL CABIN: Atop a high hill.$550 a night. Sleeps 12 I believe, however there is only 1 proper bed. Everyone else gets a makeshift yoga mat bed to sleep on and a couch. The cabin had not been cleaned in a very long time. The first thing we all did after arriving was go onto the back deck to try to take a group photo- THE DECK STARTED TO COLLAPSE! We all rushed back inside and luckily nobody was hurt! I told them right away, they entered the cabin when we weren't there to put a sign on the back door telling us not to use the deck. Now to the worst part- MOUSE POOP. Our friend started making her bed and found mouse droppings in it. When she told us we all started looking in the beds and around us- there was mouse poop EVERYWHERE. How we didn't notice this sooner, I honestly don't know. Little piles in every corner, behind the couch, in the beds. We didn't even want to look in the kitchen as we had already used all their stuff to cook. So gross. It was after 1am at this point, so we waited until morning to tell the reception. The next morning when I went to let the woman behind the desk know, she looked annoyed by me. She insinuated that perhaps WE had let mice in, to which I replied to her that the amount of poop we saw was indicative of an infestation. We were only there 1 night. No apology, no attempt at trying to offer ANY sort of reimbursement since we paid $550 for a makeshift cabin with a collapsing deck and mouse poop everywhere. Very frustrating. My partner and I opted to leave early. We needed to go home and shower immediately. The whole purpose of going to hot springs is to relax. I found it very hard to do that while visiting this place. I would recommend going to Sierraville's hot springs, we recently went and really enjoyed it. I would NEVER recommend this place to ANYONE.

My husband and I look forward to coming up every year. This was our first trip back since the pandemic. They have added a few improvements to the property, which is great. The thing that really needs improvement is security. We had two really scary experiences. Someone decided to open our room door twice, very late night. Thank God we had the security chain on. The next day I found out there is nobody on site after 10pm, there is access to a walkie in the front office, which again is wide open. The doors do not have locks except for inside, which is a very thin chain. I also didn't appreciate the yelling that went on in the wee hours. The rules are not being taken seriously. The dry sauna was not as hot either. Time to upgrade those cabins and add some security.

We loved our visit to Orr Hot Springs! We stayed in a yurt which was sparkling clean and so peaceful. In fact, the whole resort was really clean with friendly staff. I liked the communal kitchen, we prepared our own foods alongside others in their well-equipped kitchen. My advice is to stay in a yurt if you can (yes you have to walk to a bathroom nearby but it's clean and warm) and to bring a book to read while relaxing in a nice tub. Clothing optional in pools area and dressing room (males and females both same areas). You will see people in swim suits and without but they do have signs stating no bothersome behaviors are allowed and to report anything to staff (they are very clear which is nice- so it feels comfortable and relaxing) Clothing is required in the lodge and kitchen - thank goodness! Great water to soak in. Remote (the 12 miles of mountain road takes around a half hour and is a gorgeous vista. It's got some switchbacks but it's fine) Don't forget to drive less than two miles to the nearby Montgomery State Redwoods, it's one of the least visited of all the Redwood parks, it's worth the trip.

This place is a joke.. The cold pool is stagnating and the water is green. You are NOT allowed to play music at any level in your cabin and the people that patronize the place are little cupcakes that cry to management if you talk to loud or if they think you are intruding on their space. NEVER GO HERE. We were there for two hours with a cottage rental and checked out without staying the night and demanded a full refund because of their feelings getting hurt. As for hearing it from the office that's bull. Because you couldn't hear it from the office how loud can an iPad be? This place is a total joke as I stated before it is a liberal's paradise because everybody's feelings can be hurt by the drop of a leaf. What would set this place up above everyplace else would be a quiet room with crayons and a coloring book.

I like Orr. It's very relaxing and the staff are really helpful. BUT don't get Room 15 if you want a quiet time. It is directly above the industrial-strength spa laundromat, and the washers and driers run from 9:00am until the late afternoon, or at least they did when I was there. All day there is a loud rumble in the building and it was impossible to feel the quiet that they promote and sell. It spoiled my mini-vacation, for sure. I feel there should be a warning on their web-site about that....

I've been to other hot springs in the area and Orr blows them all out of the water. Spent Thursday and Friday there and I'll be back.

First you have to understand what Orr Hot Springs Resort isn't. If you are taking the word "resort" too literal, you are going to be disappointed. No poolside drink delivery, sorry. Shared bathrooms and showers and clothing optional bath house. Want to lock your room door? Nope, not happening. Hippie-centric, 420 friendly, peace love and happiness to all creatures, and stuff. The rooms can be rustic. I think room 25 can be considered the most modern with its own half bath. I've read reviews of the funky pool. That could be endemic of the time of year. I've visited February, April and June and I haven't experienced it like it was a Petri dish. Some places drain the pool every day and refill, I don't think that's happening here. So your human smegma experience may vary. Make sure you bring your own food to cook. Cell and internet service are non-existent. You may view that as a positive or a negative. Personally I'm not there to be connected so I dig it.

Called and booked a weekend stay here in January just maybe a couple weeks in advance. The only issue is they didn't have a yurt for two consecutive nights, so we had to move but not a big issue. This place is amazing! Stay in a wood yurt, cabin or camp! The yurts are pretty basic with just a bed and such but cozy, with a couple communal bathrooms (no showers). Yurt #1 is the one that she most photographed, with a living roof, it more rustic feeling than the new ones, obviously. It is also the closest to the kitchen, pools so lots of foot traffic near. There are showers down by pools. Being safe soap! And a communal kitchen, with shelves for storage and plenty of room in fridge. We visited on the weekend and were pleasantly surprised with our stay and how it didn't feel crowded much at all. There were a number of pools, hot, cold but our favorite was the private rooms with tubs! There were maybe five rooms(?) and every time we went, there was always at least one open! And the star gazing tubs! This was the prefect romantic getaway! I highly recommend this place and can't wait to go back!

Great location! People at the reception is super nice and very helpful with indications and explaining the rules. Big communal kitchen fully stocked, perfect to cook, huge (2) fridges to keep your food, pantry and freezer. Clothing is optional. I highly recommend the place to have a relax time.

We just returned from three nights at the Creek house. We were told it was the best place to stay by staff, we looked at the photos and we reserved it five months in advance. We also were told we would be the only ones staying in the building. It was definitely false advertising. It turns out that Creek house is a conference center. It has a kitchen, bedroom, bath and a very large dance studio/ meeting space with a long conference table. This was no cozy cabin. It faced the driveway not the Creek and was no place we wanted to spend any time reading or hanging out. To top it off, there was a family staying upstairs above us with a child who liked to run. The ceiling was paper thin and we heard everything. I am definitely not going to recommend Orr to anyone and I hope that they are honest with future guests about they really get with this particular rental.

There I sat, munching couscous in a communal dining area full of waterlogged, dreadlocked white people murmuring earnestly over glasses of wine and plates of vegan glop, while a blissed-out troubadour strummed a homemade guitar in the corner. As wonderful as my day at Orr was, I still had to suppress a snarky chuckle: this place is classic Stuff White People Do! But....guess what?! I'm a liberal whitey from the Bay Area, and these are my people. I suppose there's worse tribes to belong to; if this is the shit We Do, then might as well grab it by the falafel balls and own it. And there's no better place for that than Orr: rustic-chic hot springs pools surrounded by beautifully landscaped herb gardens, yurts with living roofs, artisanal totem poles and tasteful Zen accents. And if your white privilege gets to be too heavy, they even give you a wheelbarrow to tote in your conscience. (OK it's really to carry in your overnight gear...but the sight of all these sincere New Agers dragging handcarts overflowing with yoga mats and self-help books is pure comedy gold.) Unlike many of my fellow tribespeople, I am perpetually broke...so renting a yurt or cabin for my stay was not in my budget. However I did manage to sell enough crocheted beard-cozies on Etsy to scrape together the $30 for a day pass, which gets you access to the facilities for 12 hours (10am-10pm). And snarkiness aside, this is a GREAT value. Three friends and I made the most of our passes by steaming, soaking, baking and chatting for the better part of a day, taking a break halfway through to drive to the redwood grove down the road for a 2-mile walk through the amazing forest. The natural beauty in this area is absolutely astonishing! Even soaking in the pools and tubs at Orr, the views are breathtakingly beautiful. We went in mid-November (on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving -- the place was full, but didn't feel crowded at all), and the fall foliage on the hillsides surrounding the soaking areas was amazing. At dusk, we all jammed cozily into the tiny soak at the edge of the swimming pool, and watched the full moon rise above clouds of misty steam wafting witchily from the water. I fucking HATE winter, and tend to get really gloomy in cold weather...but this experience made me appreciate and even enjoy the sere beauty of winter. (Plus, there was a 140-degree dry sauna right behind me for safety :-) Logistics-wise, this place is fairly convenient -- a 12-mile paved, well-maintained but windy road from Ukiah. There is no cell service or Wi-Fi, no food or drink sold onsite, and they do not provide towels or robes -- bring your own. And parking can get a bit tricky, so you might have to walk your fat ass 1/8 mile or so from the remote parking area down the road, depending on how crowded the place is. Facilities-wise, in my opinion the pools are superior to those at Sierra/Harbin(RIP) because the water is hotter; there's no SUPER hot pool, but most of the soaks are hot enough for extended wallowing. There's nothing worse than a lukewarm soak!! If you do prefer a tepid bath, there's a small annex at the edge of the cool pool. And the dry sauna and steam room are both piping hot. There are a few outdoor showers as well, and a locker room/changing area -- plus a huge and well-equipped communal kitchen and dining/lounge area. All areas and facilities are very clean and well-maintained. Vibe-wise, my 5 star rating is as much due to the beauty/cleanliness of the facilities as it is to the ASTONISHINGLY unpretentious ambiance. I emphasize astonishing, because I know my people -- and they can be a real sanctimonious band of preachy twats (see some of the negative reviews on this very page!). But unlike "other" hot springs (Sierra, Harbin, cough cough), the policies at Orr are much more relaxed: talking is not BANNED (as long as you keep your voice low), booze/drugs are not banned either (as long as you don't get wasted), and you're even allowed to cook meat in the communal kitchen! The one rule that IS strictly enforced regards sexual activity and conduct -- Orr keeps the party polite with a strict No Perv policy, and that is sincerely appreciated! Nothing worse than a swingers' club disguised as a New Age retreat, ya know?! At the time of my visit, the clientele did seem to be mostly couples, but I witnessed no excessive pawing at/ cooing over eachother, which was great. Anyway, no matter what your tribe or your aesthetic, ALL are welcome here -- so if wallowing in hot water surrounded by the gentle murmur of New Age jibber-jabber sounds like your idea of fun, well then pack up your towel, kombucha and kale...and come on down. I know *I'll* be back!!

I love hot springs - especially cozy ones like Orr. It's nestled in the woods and has a great vibe. I like the communal kitchen with all it's amenities and the lodge is super quaint too. Had everything kitchen item that we needed. However, we couldn't find a spot in either of the commercials refridgerators though for our cold items. The soaking pools we spaced out and I love the sun deck. On a side note, it can definitely feel a bit crowded even though they try to limit the amount of people onsite. There were times when the soaking tubs were just too crowded to have a peaceful soak.

I do hate to give Orr two stars. I visited this place around 15 years ago or so when I was still in college, and was quite impressed by its communal orientation toward the guests. My memory might not be 100-percent accurate, but I do remember a dorm room that charged considerably modest price as well as some yoga or meditation classes being offered in some sort of a communal room. We felt it was lovely to see mostly older and mature adult guests who walked quietly around the grounds naked but covered their private parts with books on Daoism or by Aristotle or Stephen Hawking or even Jacques Derrida. They were quiet but also friendly. It was a rainy day. It was beautiful to recognize how we all looked fragile and vulnerable as bodies. Coming back here for the first time in more than a decade, I realized that most of these things which I do remember fondly were gone. It was certainly bizarre, if not shocking, to notice how the guests in the communal kitchen avoided eye contact and did not consider striking a small conversation or even saying hello. (They also looked very young.) It was as if the only way to be communal for us was to pet the two lovely cats whom Orr duly boasts. On a positive side, I could say that the bath facility has probably improved significantly since my last visit at the beginning of the century. I also saw quite a few employees working on the grounds. These are certainly good things. As with any part of the economy, one might say Orr has simply become a more professionalized venture. But then again, the people working there are not that professional or professionalized. The types of response or "service" you get from employees are totally various. Some were pleasant, but others were not. I've actually been to many hot springs (mostly in Europe and East Asia) where water quality and service were much better and prices cheaper. Who knows but maybe the current management is in search of a new direction. They don't seem as communally grounded as they were when I visited in my 20s. But then they are not as service oriented as they can be to fully offset that loss either. I'll refrain from saying that all of this comes down to the virile presence of the tech economy in the Bay Area. But one cannot totally discount its effect either. In any case, it's hard to weigh the positives and the nagatives at the Orr Hot Springs of 2018. I'd love to know the views of other guests who've known this place since the 2000s or even before. Just curious to know how they see the change that has taken place.

This is a great hot springs resort if you want to get away for a relaxing trip. Zero reception or wifi, so you're totally disconnected, which was wonderful. Clothing optional, but I think most people go sans clothing. We stayed there in Yurt 21 on Friday night and soaked both Friday and Saturday. Roughly $220 to stay a night in a yurt. Yurt 21 is one of the most private yurts. It's farther from the pools/tubs for soaking though. I would like to try staying in a room next time so that the hot springs are more accessible. It would be easier to get to the springs in the middle of the night- we didn't soak after dinner because the springs just felt like such a far trek from our yurt. The hot springs are great. Lots of variety. Soaking feels amazing. We went at the end of January, so it was quite cold, and the hot water felt marvelous. There are two communal pools- one of them has the hottest water out of all the options for soaking. There's five-ish private rooms with clawfoot tubs. The water in these is pretty hot as well, and it's nice to have a little privacy, but the rooms don't get much light so are kinda dark. There are two stargazing tubs that are super popular. We were lucky to happen upon one that had just become available around dinnertime on Friday. There's a large cold pool with another clawfoot tub overlooking it. Trilby Spring adjoins the cold pool; it's small and fits probably two people max. It was always occupied when we were at Orr, so we didn't get a chance to try it out :( There is also a steam and dry sauna room. The dry sauna didn't quite feel warm enough though. On Friday everyone we saw opted for no clothing. On Saturday, much of the same, except for a group of 3 that we saw that soaked in bathing suits. I feel like since most people choose to forego the clothing, it makes people actually uncomfortable when you DO go in swimsuits. You can also book different types of massages. We didn't have any of these. Very communal vibe to this place. You're expected to scrub down the tubs and empty/refill them after use. The communal kitchen gets quite busy at times, especially around dinnertime. The kitchen is super well stocked- tons of utensils, knives, pots and pans. Wine glasses and coffee makers (they have French press) are available. They even have wok/stands! There's a full range stove. You have to bring your own cooking spices/seasonings/oil and food though; they only have salt and pepper there. Everyone is expected to wash/dry all their dishes after cooking. The booking is very frustrating. There's no online reservation system, and when you call them, they never pick up (which I noticed another reviewer also mention). Which means you have to watch your phone like a hawk and make sure you don't miss their call back. This is probably my largest complaint about Orr. Also, I wanted to stay for a single night over the weekend, but unfortunately there's a two night minimum if you want to stay Saturday night, so I had to take a day off work and stay Friday night instead.

Orr has a great vibe, nestled in an enchanted forest. It feels like little fairies should be flying around. The yurts are beautiful and there are resident cats, which for me is a big plus. It's also not too hippy-ish which I often find pretty corny, and Orr manages to just be relaxed and serene without trying to hard. I compare hot springs to Wilbur and would say this is almost as good: the water just isn't as potent and isn't as hot as Wilbur, although it's still nice and worth the trip. The redwoods and physical environment really make this spot special. Also the staff is super chill.

Get your quiet voice ready. Bring your healthiest recipes. Get ready to disrobe and disengage at the mellowing and soothing bliss that is the Orr Hot Springs. A hippie-ish getaway up in the lush green of Ukiah Orr Hot Springs is a magical way to decompress and just soak up Northern California's majestic nature and healing waters in Orr's intimate and kept grounds. With blissful hot spring pools made just for lounging - Orr is made for unwinding. It's clothing optional - and most opt for without - so keep that in mind - when considering coming here. Everyone is very respectful of each other though, and most people just seem intent on relaxing in their own worlds - or snuggling with their partner in the warm water - so there is definitely a very safe and wonderful vibe throughout the grounds. Our room was clean and cozy and the heating worked beautifully. Just note that the walls are extremely thin - and you share a bathroom with your next door neighbor. My friend and I both slept pretty well and our neighbors were exceptionally quiet during the eventing. While there may be opportunities to be social at this darling resort - Orr Hot Springs mainly seems to be comprised of couples- who are looking for a low key weekend. Our main interactions with guests were in the bustling kitchen which was well stocked with big refrigerators, a massive gas stove, a slew of pots, pans, plates, and silverware, and heaving big grey tubs where we could store all of our cooking supplies. Orr Hot Springs has a darling herb garden right outside the kitchen - which they encourage people to pick from. We seasoned our wild Alaskan Salmon with fresh Orr rosemary and flavored our brown rice with fresh Orr thyme, and our heirloom tomato salad with Orr basil. Everything tasted incredible with the beautiful Orr accents. And if you're really on your game - you can bring fresh berries with you to the grounds from the blackberries growing along the way to the relaxing resort. I would definitely enjoy another visit to Orr Hot Springs again, though I have to say that my friend and I found just as much enjoyment jumping into the cold water of the Russian River - after pulling to the side of the road on our way back from the hot springs. We didn't have to shower beforehand. We could be as loud as we wanted. And dashing back into the car with Otis Redding on full blast - was the perfect way to drive back into the fog of San Francisco. Trust.

This review is long, but if you're thinking about going to a clothing optional hot springs, there's a good chance you want detail. Here it is! VIBE: Orr is the most beautiful of all the private, clothing optional hot springs I've been to. The entire grounds (inside the gates) is clothing optional (except the kitchen/lobby, for health code reasons.) This is much more expansive than some others (some only allow nudity in the spa area, or in designated areas.) You are also totally welcome to wear clothing, even in the spa area. A few ladies and gents opted for full bathing gear. A few ladies went topless but not bottomless. At check-in, they're very clear that you should report ANY creepiness immediately. We neither saw nor experienced any. Overall great crowd during our stay. The first night people seemed a little uptight, but by the next day people seemed to relax. Mainly couples and female twosomes/threesomes. Ages ranged from 20s to 60s. P.S. They have silence beads at the front desk that you can wear if you're doing a retreat and don't want to be spoken to (although I didn't see anyone use them during our stay.) There's a tendency for guests to use a good bit of "library voice" except in the kitchen/lobby. Especially in the spa area. It's actually quite a nice break from the regular world where you're forced to listen to everyone's cell phone conversations at top volume. Alcohol is allowed, although partying/visible intoxication is not desirable. AMENITIES/GROUNDS: Beautiful gardens, beautiful spa, well laid-out and equipped kitchen. The property is maintained spectacularly. Spotlessly clean. The kitchen is very well-equipped; it has all common equipment (multiples of virtually everything.) The only thing that seemed in short supply was a corkscrew; fortunately we had one and loaned it to some others as well. Even at peak times, it was not hard to cook amongst a dozen people. Queueing for equipment, cooking or dish washing was rare/brief. (You must bring all food except salt and sugar, and must wash/dry your own cookware before sitting down to eat, and all dishes after eating.) They have many refrigerators, a large pantry and one freezer to store the items you bring. You are given bins for your food. We did not experience or hear of any theft. They have a number of cabins as well as campsites. Our cabin (1/2 bath, in the quad) was approx. $175/night (summer weekend.) Includes full use of spa/facilities. Your bathroom situation will vary; I think that some units have full bath, but many have a half bath or a shared bath. There are several common area restrooms that are spotless. The common showers are equally clean but not private (two showers in one giant stall area, with no doors/curtains.) Strangers shower side by side without any gawking, commentary or weirdness. You might like the view -- or not -- but everyone behaves appropriately. I showered and shaved in front of a third of the people at the spa, and never once felt uncomfortable. The spa area has a lovely variety of options - private rooms with tubs for one or two. Three spas of different temperatures - hottest by the showers, coolest next to the saunas. They also have an amazing pool that uses unfiltered creek water. It might sound gross, but it's not. No slime, no mud, no scum. But you will find little bits of normal organic matter (like leaves and the occasional bug) in it. They have both wet and dry saunas next to the pool. They also have two small decks for sunbathing. One of those decks also has two outdoor bathtubs. There's a designated smoking area in a little garden nook tucked behind the lobby. No smoking elsewhere on the property (extremely high fire hazard area - part or all of the property has burned down twice, once in the late 1800s, once circa 1930s.) There's no cell or internet coverage here. You're about 12 miles/25 minutes from a main road, and you'll lose your signal long before you hit Orr. It's also a lovely drive; easier/nicer by day although you can certainly do it at night, too. It's not hard to find, but it sneaks up on you. It's just around a sharp bend and you don't see the 30-minute parking lot until you've almost passed it. GPS units may be more accurate than Google Maps or free GPS services. MANAGEMENT: They offer day use for a fee but you must call ahead for both accommodations AND for day use. If you get voicemail, they'll give you clear instructions and will get back to you promptly (we rec'd a return call within an hour.) The place is very well run. Hosts/managers were amazing, especially John! Those that maintain the buildings, spa and landscaping deserve endless kudos. Special thanks to "owner" Elvis who enjoyed his petting as much as I did (the black and white cat who knows who's really the boss of the place!) If you don't see him, his likeness can also be found on a sign in the lawn area :) We wish Orr were closer, but can't wait to return!

My review is for a day-pass visit only. After going to (and loving) Harbin, a few friends recommended we check out Orr. It's a little farther than Harbin (about 2.5 hours), and smaller, with less variety of different pools/temperatures. But the atmosphere is much more chill -- there were only about 20 people on the grounds when we went (on a weekday). As a woman, I didn't have a single incident of being ogled or having creepy old dudes try and chat me up (a problem at Harbin), plus they do a great job of limiting the number of children (see the one-star review below as proof!). All this adds up to a much quieter, more relaxing experience. That being said, if you're a real hot springs connoisseur, you may miss the variety of a VERY HOT pool (which Orr doesn't have) and the larger variety of intermediate-temperature pools. But Orr has some private tubs (which Harbin does not). But bottom line, I don't think you can really compare Harbin and Orr, because they are both great but represent a different type of experience. It just depends on what you're looking for. A few tips: (1) Plan to both arrive and leave during daylight. The road up from 101 is 12 miles of VERY windy, unlighted, narrow mountain road. (2) Bring ingredients to prepare a meal in the communal commercial kitchen. It's fun! (3) The website says "no dogs" but we saw 2, you may be able to negotiate an exception. (4) When you arrive, continue past the 20-minute "temporary" parking area and park in the next lot down the road, otherwise you'll have to move your car after you check in.

This rating reflects the grounds which I give 4 stars and the water which gets just 2. We took the gorgeous drive up Orr Springs Rd at about 3:30 on Thanksgiving. With a cooler filled with left-overs and the strong desire to float effortlessly while soaking our muscles into total bliss. The drive was gorgeous! What a beautiful state we live in. Go California! Love it so much. No directions needed. It's right along the narrow winding road. Once walking through the gate it feels like total hobit territory. Super cute and rustic; woodsy and calm. After checking in and storing food in the little communal kitchen and filling up a pitcher of water (note: tge only filtered water is located in the kitchen. Look for the green faucet). We headed to the baths. It's all co-ed and clothing optional. Honestly, I was surprised to see so many swim trunks. What is this-- a catholic hot spring?! lol... We tried the second bath as you leave the shower area. It was only slightly above body temp and we could barely detect the nice stinky sulfur smell of good hot spring water. But we chilled. It was still relaxing. When we noticed two people coming down the stairs from the upper deck we swooped in to try out the two individual claw foot tubs located up on the tiny but cute sun deck. That was nice. I can imagine it being heavenly on a warm, sunny day. Relaxing scenery but the water wasn't hot. It was slightly warmer than the first one. I look for the 103-105 range. This water was only about 100, if that. We were getting hungry but took a pit stop at the tub closest to the shower and it was warmer. Not hot, but warmer for sure. This would explain why there were at least 6 of us in the modest size pool. Next, we went down to the kitchen. It's well equipped with loads of pots and pans, plenty of refrigerator and counter space, plates, silverware and glassware. We got dinner together and chose a table in the dining room. There's some really nice art and unique touches. I liked the dark wood and that they keep it nice and warm inside. There's a little library/game room too. After dinner we decided to check out the little private enclosed rooms located beneath the deck area. We took a final soak in one of the clawfoot tubs before calling it a night. I'd definitely return on a local's day. I hear they do a special deal once a week. It would also be a great place to retreat to overnight if you have a project to concentrate on. The space is conducive to great ideas and making plans. I'm happy I went but if you're a hot springs lover with a few experiences under your belt, you'll probably wish for stronger water like you find at Wilbur, Esalen or Harbin (in that order).

Stayed in a yurt Got to relax finally with no cell/wifi service -needed the disconnect Made a beautiful dinner Slept in Butterflies flowers Hot springs Soaked under the moon stars with bats flying I can not wait to go back -bliss

RESERVATIONS A MUST! I was blessed to get in the day of (I had the called the night before). My BF and I both were feeling ill, not sure if we should stay long, it took us 3.5 hours and though we wanted to stay, we had to leave before sunset. Plan your meals (the communal kitchen is AMAZING!), mark your stuff, be respectful and do not stare. Cause everyone will appreciate it. I was told they are open 365 days a year, closed only for special occasions. Busiest month is August. Planning on returning for my birthday (during Thanksgiving) and just see if I can handle the cool pool and the warm pools, while near freezing. Be mindful or roads, sharp turns and although the map says 123 miles, my BF registered it at 125 from the start of the Golden Gate Bridge, some construction and bumps and small pot holes. So much more to talk about, not enough Brain function after a day of hot springs. Great day get away.

I adore this place so much. It's so healing and beautiful like a breathe of fresh air you never even knew you needed. From the drive up, to the staff, to the communal kitchen... This place is a true gift and has felt like one at times when I needed it the most. I've been here 3 times. Once stayed in their little yurt, once camped and the other stayed in a room. All the accommodations were great in their own way. If you have the extra money to spend, definitely get the yurt, its super magical and romantic. I've had some really great times here. My only wish is that it wasn't so expensive, it makes it hard to go more often. That being said, it's a lovely place, run by lovely people so I get the price model. If you're ever in need or healing either mental, emotional or physical, this place is so great and supportive. Love you Orr Hotsprings, please never go away!