St. Martin's Hot Springs
Also known as Wind River Hot Springs
102–105°F
Pool temperatures
Short walk
Moderate access
Free
No fee reported
Two bedrock pools on the far bank of the Wind River near Carson, fed by the same geothermal system as the nearby Carson Hot Springs Resort. They are free and clothing-optional is the norm, but reaching them needs a river ford that is only safe in late summer. Access paths cross private land, so visitors should take care with where they park and cross.
01 · Before you go
Plan your visit
What to expect on the ground: rules, facilities and when to go.
- Clothing optionalCommon here, not official policy
- No camping nearbyNo camping at the springs. Carson Hot Springs Resort is nearby.
- 2 pools
- ModerateLate summer (July to September) at low water; weekdays are quieter than warm weekends.
- SeasonReachable only in late summer, typically July to September, when the Wind River is low enough to ford. Spring and early summer snowmelt makes the crossing dangerous.
- Closed or out of reach in winterReachable only July to Sept when river is low. Winter guide
- Free to soakThe springs themselves are free.
Best time to go. Late summer (July to September) at low water; weekdays are quieter than warm weekends.
02 · Live
Conditions
Access status, weather and hazards. Closure feeds are checked automatically every morning.
Access
No closures reported
No closure, fire or weather warning found in Forest Service, wildfire (NIFC) or National Weather Service feeds. That isn't confirmation it's open.
Checked 22 Oct · updated daily
As of 2026-10-16 no closure or fire notice found. A hot springs guide page was updated 2026-09-21 and describes the springs as accessible in late summer. Access routes are tied up with private property and a contested footbridge, with some citations reported by hikers. A March 2024 trip report found the legal route wet and difficult at high water. The NOAA entry matches the same geothermal system as Carson Hot Springs Resort, a separate commercial business.
Fast river crossing with slippery rocks (do not cross alone or above knee depth), hot water, no emergency services, limited cell coverage, trespass risk on adjoining private land.
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03 · Route
Getting there
Nearest town: Carson.
- 1
From the Carson Hot Springs Resort parking area, a trail of roughly half a mile leads north along the Wind River to a ford, with the pools on the far bank.
- 2
A footbridge route from Shipherd Falls Road exists but its legality has been disputed.
45.7280, −121.8000 · nearest town Carson, WA
04 · Where to stay
Stay nearby
Start early and stay close. Places to stay near Carson, from campgrounds to cabins.
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Checked against 3 sources, with closures, wildfires and weather warnings re-checked daily.Show sourcesShare your photosSuggest an update
- hotspringsguides.com (pools, temps, directions, season, hazards, camping, land)
- oregonhikers.org (access dispute, trip report, legal route)
- revisitwa.org (relation to Carson Hot Springs Resort, history)
