6 Best Hot Springs in Washington State: Your Guide
Washington doesn’t get enough credit for its hot springs. Most people think Oregon or Idaho when it comes to PNW soaking — but the Evergreen State has a genuinely impressive collection of geothermal spots, ranging from full-service mountain resorts to backcountry pools you have to earn with a serious hike.
The key thing to know going in: Washington’s hot springs vary wildly in terms of access, effort, and vibe. Some require permits booked months in advance. Some are an easy roadside stop. Some are buried deep in wilderness and require a full day’s commitment. This guide breaks down the best options so you can find the right soak for your trip.
Here are the best hot springs in Washington state, from easiest to most adventurous.
Table of Contents
- 1. Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort — Olympic National Park
- 2. Scenic Hot Springs — Stevens Pass Area
- 3. Goldmyer Hot Springs — Middle Fork Snoqualmie, Cascade Foothills
- 4. Olympic Hot Springs — Olympic National Park
- 5. Carson Hot Springs — Columbia River Gorge Area
- 6. Ohanapecosh Hot Springs — Mount Rainier National Park
- Tips for Hot Springing in Washington
- Plan Your Washington Adventure
1. Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort — Olympic National Park
Sol Duc is the most accessible and well-developed hot spring experience in Washington, sitting deep inside Olympic National Park along the Sol Duc River surrounded by ancient old-growth forest. It’s a full resort with cabins, a restaurant, a spa, and three mineral hot spring pools at varying temperatures plus a freshwater pool for cooling off.
This is the one to go to if you want a proper soaking experience without a major hike — the pools are right there, the setting is stunning, and you can pair it with some of the best hiking on the Olympic Peninsula. The Sol Duc Falls Trail is a short, gorgeous walk right from the resort — one of the most beautiful waterfall hikes in the state.
Access: Drive to Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort via Sol Duc Road off Highway 101. Olympic National Park entrance fee applies ($30/7-day vehicle pass). Resort day-use fees for non-guests.
Effort: Zero — drive right in.
Best for: Families, first-timers, anyone who wants comfort with their soak.
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2. Scenic Hot Springs — Stevens Pass Area
Scenic Hot Springs is arguably the most stunning hot spring setting in all of Washington — three stone pools perched at around 4,200 feet elevation near Stevens Pass, with views of the Cascade peaks and that unmistakable alpine stillness. Soaking here with snow on the ground and steam rising around you is genuinely one of the best experiences the PNW has to offer.
The catch: it’s permit-only, those permits cost $30 per person and sell out fast, and the hike is a moderate 2.5 miles each way with 1,100 feet of elevation gain. No walk-ups allowed — if you show up without a reservation, you’re turned away.
The site was significantly upgraded in 2024–2025 with new stone pools, improved capacity, better pathways, and changing structures. It still feels wild. Just much more comfortable than the old setup.
Access: Book permits well in advance — reservations open on a rolling basis and popular dates fill within minutes. Check scenichotsprings.com for current booking info. $30/person permit fee.
Effort: Moderate — 5 miles round trip, 1,100 ft elevation gain.
Best for: People who want an epic backcountry experience with reliable access. Winter visits (snow travel required) are spectacular.
3. Goldmyer Hot Springs — Middle Fork Snoqualmie, Cascade Foothills
Goldmyer is one of the most special and carefully protected hot springs in Washington — three interconnected natural pools of varying temperatures tucked into the Alpine Lakes Wilderness alongside the Middle Fork Snoqualmie River, owned and managed by a nonprofit dedicated to keeping it pristine.
Access is strictly capped at 20 people per day total, and reservations are almost always required. The reservation system runs on a lottery for popular dates — submit your entry through goldmyer.org and you’ll find out if you got a spot the month before your visit date. The hike in is a flat-ish 4.5 miles through gorgeous old-growth forest along the river. Camping is available on-site for overnight stays.
The road to the trailhead is rough and requires high clearance (SUV/truck with AWD recommended). No cell service. Bears and mountain lions are present — standard Cascades backcountry awareness applies.
Access: Reservations through goldmyer.org. 20 person daily cap. Northwest Forest Pass required for trailhead parking. High clearance vehicle strongly recommended for the access road.
Effort: Moderate — 9 miles round trip, mostly flat along the river.
Best for: Serious hot spring enthusiasts who want maximum seclusion and a genuine wilderness experience.
4. Olympic Hot Springs — Olympic National Park
Olympic Hot Springs is a series of primitive natural pools scattered along Boulder Creek deep inside Olympic National Park — multiple pools of varying temperatures (roughly 85°F to 105°F) on natural terraces in a lush forest setting. It’s clothing-optional by tradition, rustic and unmanaged, and one of the most purely natural hot spring experiences in the state.
The big caveat right now: the Olympic Hot Springs Road suffered a major washout, meaning visitors must park at the Madison Falls Trailhead and hike or bike approximately 9 miles to the springs (instead of the usual 2.5-mile hike from the former trailhead). That’s a significant commitment — roughly 18 miles round trip on foot. Check Olympic National Park’s website for the current road status before planning a trip, as conditions and access distances may change.
Access: Olympic National Park entrance fee ($30/7-day vehicle pass). Current road washout adds significant distance — verify conditions at nps.gov/olym before going.
Effort: Currently strenuous due to road closure — 18 miles round trip. Check current conditions.
Best for: Adventurous hikers or cyclists who want a truly wild, primitive soaking experience.
5. Carson Hot Springs — Columbia River Gorge Area
Carson Hot Springs Resort sits on the Washington side of the Columbia River Gorge about an hour east of Portland — one of the oldest hot spring resorts in the Pacific Northwest, with a historic bathhouse that’s been operating for over 100 years. The mineral waters here are sulfur-rich and the soaking options include both private tubs and communal pools.
It’s not a flashy destination — Carson has an old-school, no-frills charm that’s very much part of its appeal. You don’t need to be a resort guest to use the pools. A great add-on if you’re exploring the Gorge or heading between Portland and Eastern Washington on a road trip.
Access: Drive to Carson, WA on Highway 14 along the Columbia River. Day-use fees for pool access. No hiking required.
Effort: Zero — drive right in.
Best for: Gorge road trippers, those wanting a historic soaking experience, anyone coming from the Portland side.
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6. Ohanapecosh Hot Springs — Mount Rainier National Park
Ohanapecosh is a bit of an unusual entry — the hot springs here are no longer accessible for soaking (the NPS closed them to swimming decades ago due to environmental concerns), but they’re worth knowing about as a scenic and historically fascinating stop inside Mount Rainier National Park.
The springs feed the crystal-clear Ohanapecosh River, and a short interpretive trail loops through the area past steaming vents, mineral-stained rocks, and old-growth forest. The Grove of the Patriarchs — one of the most stunning old-growth forest walks in the entire Cascades — is right there. Worth the stop even without the soak.
Note: The Ohanapecosh Campground was closed for renovation in 2025 and is scheduled to reopen for the 2026 season — check current conditions before planning overnight stays.
Access: Mount Rainier National Park entrance fee ($35/7-day vehicle pass). No soaking permitted.
Effort: Easy — short interpretive trail.
Best for: Rainier visitors who want to see the springs as part of a broader park day — pair with the Grove of the Patriarchs hike.
Tips for Hot Springing in Washington
Book permits early — really early. Scenic Hot Springs permits sell out within minutes of opening. Goldmyer operates a monthly lottery. If you want the best backcountry spots, planning 1–2 months ahead is not optional.
Water temperatures vary. Natural hot springs fluctuate with season, rainfall, and flow. What’s perfectly warm in summer might be scalding or lukewarm in different conditions. Always test before fully submerging.
Check current access conditions. Washington’s hot springs — especially Olympic Hot Springs — can be significantly impacted by road washouts, seasonal closures, and wilderness permit changes. Always verify at the source before making the drive.
Leave No Trace. Washington’s permit-based hot springs exist because previous overuse trashed them. Pack everything out, don’t use soap or shampoo in or near the pools, and treat these places like the protected resources they are.
Bring the right gear. Waterproof sandals or water shoes, a dry bag for your clothes, layers for the hike in and out, and extra water. Even a hot spring visit involves a lot of hiking in Washington.
Plan Your Washington Adventure
Washington’s hot springs are spread across some of the most beautiful terrain in the state. While you’re out there, check out our guides to the best hikes in Washington, things to do in Olympic National Park, and the best things to do in Washington State for more inspiration.
Happy soaking, friend!
