Tenzen Cabins + Springs

What to expect

Tenzen Cabins + Springs is a small cabin resort, not a public pool. It sits on a 100-acre bluff in Home Valley, on the Washington side of the Columbia River Gorge between Stevenson and Carson, with views over the Wind River area. The name on the operator’s own site is “Tenzen Cabins + Springs”; travel writers also call it Tenzen Springs & Cabins.

The draw is privacy. There are six cabins, each about 250 square feet inside with another 600 square feet of deck. Every cabin has a covered, open-air infinity tub on its deck, a Japanese-style outdoor shower and an indoor steam shower that works like a small sauna. The tub fills continuously with geothermal water, and you set the temperature yourself. Inside you get a queen bed (one cabin has a king, one has two twin XL beds), 14-foot ceilings, a kitchenette, robes and towels.

The design leans minimalist: a wall of glass, cedar framing around the tubs, little clutter. The owners are Nanae and Nick Yoshida, and the family has held the land for more than 30 years. Columbia Gorge News covered the opening, in June 2022, as spa culture arriving in the Gorge.

One travel guide counted nine cabins in 2026. The operator’s site and both older articles say six, so treat any higher figure as unconfirmed until the booking page shows it.

The water

This is geothermal water, but not a natural spring you can walk to. According to a 2022 Columbia Gorge News profile, the family drilled an artesian well about 3,000 feet down that produces water at about 160°F71°C and around 250 gallons a minute. State rules required them to drill a second well to return water underground. The water flows through each cabin’s tub and is cooled to a soaking temperature you control. Expect a faint mineral smell, which is normal for deep geothermal water.

There is no shared pool. If you want a communal soak, Carson, a few minutes east, has a historic hot springs resort; check its current hours before you go.

Getting there

The address is 932 Berge Road, Stevenson, WA 98648, in Home Valley. The operator puts it about 10 minutes from Stevenson, 20 minutes from Cascade Locks and White Salmon, 30 minutes from Hood River and about an hour from Portland and Vancouver, Washington.

• From Portland: Take I-84 east to Cascade Locks, cross the Bridge of the Gods (toll) to Washington State Route 14, and drive east through Stevenson and Carson to Home Valley. Berge Road climbs off SR 14 to the property.
• From Hood River: Cross the Hood River Bridge (toll) to SR 14 and head west to Home Valley.

Each cabin has its own parking spot, and there is a free EV charging station. Check-in and check-out are contactless and self-guided.

When to go

Tenzen is open year-round, and a private outdoor tub is at its best when the air is cold. October to April brings Gorge rain, wind and the occasional snow, and the steam off the tub is part of the appeal. Summer is warmer and busier in the Gorge, with hiking, windsurfing and wine-tasting crowds in Hood River and Stevenson. Weeknights are easier to book than weekends year-round.

Prices and booking

• Rates: Islands reported cabins from about $330 a night in March 2026. Prices change with dates and cabin type.
• Minimum stay: The owners described a two-night minimum when they opened in 2022. Check the booking calendar for current rules.
• What is included: The private geothermal tub, outdoor shower, steam shower, robes, towels, Wi-Fi, a Bluetooth speaker and a kitchenette with a microwave or stovetop, depending on the cabin.
• Check-in and out: 4 p.m. and 11 a.m.
• Who can stay: Each cabin sleeps two. Children and pets are not allowed.
• No day use: There are no day passes or tub-only bookings.
• Booking: Online through the links on tenzensprings.com, or by phone at 509-800-7372.

Clothing. The tub is on your own deck and there is no shared soaking area, so what you wear is your call.

The property also hosts small weddings on an arbor site, and a wedding party can take all six cabins.

Where to stay nearby

If Tenzen is booked, nearby options include:

• Carson, a few minutes east, which has a historic hot springs resort (confirm it is open before you count on it).
• Stevenson, about 10 minutes west, with lodges, inns and restaurants on the river.
• Hood River, about 30 minutes east across the toll bridge, with the most hotels and dining in the area.

For food near Tenzen, Stevenson has Walking Man Brewing, Bigfoot Coffee Roasters and the Bran and Ash bakery, and Traverse PNW Market sells groceries.

Safety notes

• Tub heat: You control the temperature, which also means you can overdo it. Keep it to a level you can sit in comfortably, take breaks and drink water, especially after a steam shower.
• Alcohol: Hot water and alcohol together lower blood pressure. Go easy, and never soak alone after drinking.
• Decks in winter: Wet cedar and stone can ice over on cold Gorge nights. Wear sandals between the tub and the door.
• Trains: A rail line runs along the river below the bluff. Some guests hear trains at night; bring earplugs if you sleep lightly.
• SR 14: The highway is two lanes with tight curves and frequent trucks. Drive it with care after dark.