Tubs Spring, Ashland, Oregon

## Overview Tub Springs State Wayside is a small but historically significant roadside park nestled among towering fir trees along Highway 66 near Ashland, Oregon. The spring here has been refreshing weary travelers for well over 150 years — first the pioneers of the Applegate Trail, and today the visitors and locals who stop to fill their bottles with some of southern Oregon's finest natural water. The Applegate Trail was established in 1846 when a wagon train led by Jesse Applegate blazed an alternative southern route into Oregon's Willamette Valley. Tub Springs Wayside sits along this historic corridor, just before the descent into Ashland. The spring's name comes from the tubs that were constructed in the 1930s to provide water for passing travelers. Though renovated over the decades, these tubs are still functional today, and the same springs that supplied fresh water to early settlers continue to flow. The spring is maintained by the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department. The water is dispensed through a garden-hose-style spout and passes through an ultraviolet light purification system. It is reported to be regularly tested, and visitors have consistently praised the water quality as excellent. An interpretive panel at the roadside describes the hardships the Applegate Trail pioneers endured, adding a layer of historical depth to what might otherwise be a quick water stop. ## Directions 1. From downtown Ashland, head southeast on Highway 66 (also known as the Green Springs Highway) toward Klamath Falls. 2. Continue approximately 8–9 miles up the winding mountain road. 3. Tub Springs State Wayside will appear on the right side of the highway, shortly before you reach the summit area near Green Springs Inn (located at 11470 Highway 66). 4. The wayside is a small, signed pullout — watch for the Oregon State Parks signage. GPS coordinates: **42.115543, -122.45224**. *If coming from the Klamath Falls side, the wayside will be on your left just after beginning the descent toward Ashland.* ## What to Expect Tub Springs State Wayside is a compact roadside stop rather than a large park, so don't expect extensive trails or facilities. What you will find is a shaded grove of tall Douglas fir trees, a functioning spring with a garden-hose spout, and a peaceful atmosphere steeped in pioneer history. The spring runs year-round and is equipped with UV purification. Visitors have reported the water tastes exceptionally clean and cold — a welcome refreshment on a warm day or during a long drive over the Green Springs Highway. The historic tubs, originally built in the 1930s, are still present and add rustic charm to the site. An interpretive panel near the road provides context about the Applegate Trail and the challenges faced by the 1846 wagon train. It's a worthwhile read, especially if you take a moment to stand among the old-growth fir and imagine the landscape as those early settlers would have experienced it. The wayside is accessible directly from Highway 66 with a small pullout area suitable for cars and smaller vehicles. There is no fee to visit. The nearest commercial establishment is the Greensprings Inn, located about a mile down the road at 11470 Highway 66.