Hot springs in Washington

About hot springs in Washington

Washington's hot springs split by region. On the Olympic Peninsula, Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort sits inside Olympic National Park, and the far more remote Olympic Hot Springs lie up the Elwha Valley. In the North Cascades, Baker Hot Springs is the easy free option near Mount Baker, while Scenic Hot Springs sits off US-2 near Stevens Pass. Down in the Columbia River Gorge, Carson Hot Springs Golf & Spa Resort and the free St. Martin's Hot Springs share the same geothermal system around Carson.

You can soak almost any way you like. Sol Duc and Carson are full resorts, with timed day-use sessions at Sol Duc and a traditional bathhouse soak at Carson. Scenic is private and reservation only, with a steep 2-mile climb. Baker needs just a short walk on a rough road and costs nothing. The wilder pools farther in the backcountry demand long hikes, river crossings and navigation skills, and some are closed after fire damage.

Seasons shape the trip. Snow and ice can make the Scenic trail treacherous in winter, and high water makes the St. Martin's ford on the Wind River risky. Heavy use can dull water quality at Baker, so go midweek. Olympic Hot Springs now means a 10.5-mile trip each way, and the Park Service warns about bacteria in its pools. One practical tip: book ahead for Sol Duc, Scenic and Goldmyer, since all three limit how many people can visit.