Maple trees are revealing vibrant colors of red and a chill has crept into the air, beckoning for cozier activities. As temperatures drop, seek out warmth by plunging into one of Bend’s saunas or soaking pools.

Gather Sauna House

Gather Sauna House returned to its residence along the Deschutes River last week. It offers community sauna sessions with thermal contrast therapy. After spending time inside the steaming hot sauna, guests are encouraged to dip into the adjacent river, rest and repeat.

Halina and Dorian Kowalski-Thompson began converting a horse trailer into a mobile sauna in 2019, then hosted their first public session in 2020. The business has continued to evolve and now includes offerings such as silent community sessions and sessions with traditional Baltic bathing practices.

By appointment; River Bend Park, 799 SW Columbia St., Bend; $38-$99 for single session; gathersaunahouse.com

Juniper Swim and Fitness Center

A steaming-hot sauna, steam room and hot tub await visitors at Juniper Swim and Fitness Center. The sauna provides dry heat in a small wood-paneled room, directly next to the moist heat of the steam room. The facility is also home to a 25-meter indoor pool and an Olympic-sized covered outdoor pool.

Also home to a hot tub is Bend Park & Recreation District’s other community center, Larkspur on Reed Market.

5:30 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 5:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m. Friday, 8 a.m.-6 p.m Saturday and Sunday; 800 NE Sixth St., Bend; Single-visit fee $9 adults, $8 older adults and $7 youth; bendparksandrec.org

McMenamins Old St. Francis School soaking pool

The soaking pool at McMenamins Old St. Francis School feels akin to be transported to a foreign vacation. It’s decorated with turquoise tile work and a stained-glass window by David Schlicker, according to the website. The tiles depicting St. Francis and others harvesting grapes were hand-painted by Justyn Livingston.

10:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. daily for the public; 700 NW Bond St. Bend; $10 an hour for non-hotel guests; www.mcmenamins.com/old-st-francis-school/soaking-pool