Olympic Hot Springs

Olympic Hot Springs is a cluster of natural hot-water seeps in the Elwha River Valley wilderness. The unmaintained pools are tucked into forest, a very different visit from the developed bathing pools at Sol Duc. Come for a wild, out-of-the-way destination as much as for the soak.

The route from Madison Falls runs about 9 miles along Olympic Hot Springs Road to Boulder Creek Trailhead, then another 1.5 miles on foot to the springs. On foot, that is about 10.5 miles each way. You can bike the road portion, but not the final trail; pets are not allowed at the springs. This is a serious outing, not a quick detour.

These are natural seeps, not maintained or regulated pools. The water is not tested or treated by the park and may contain harmful bacteria, so bathing is at your own risk. Expect a rustic experience rather than a clean, predictable spa soak.

A resort used to occupy the hot-springs area. The natural seeps remain, but the destination today is a wilderness stop with no developed bathing facilities.

There are no facilities at the springs. Madison Falls Trailhead has a toilet, and there are no services beyond the gate, so carry the food and water you need. Overnight camping near the springs requires a wilderness use permit. For a photo, get beside a pool’s rock rim and include the water with the trees; a close view shows how the pools sit in the forest better than a distant landscape.