The Little-Known Hot Springs In Washington That Will Melt Your Worries Away
By Andrea Verschuyl|Published February 07, 2024
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Andrea Verschuyl
Author
Having grown up in Washington, Andrea is a self-admitted Pacific Northwest snob. In their opinion, there's simply nowhere else in the country with the Evergreen State's beauty. After attending university, Andrea devoted themselves to writing full-time. They're thrilled to represent Washington for Only In Your State while pursuing other professional and personal projects. They currently reside in Olympia, where they enjoy leaf-blowing their yard, perfecting homemade ramen, cuddling with their three tiny dogs, and feeding their pufferfish, Sea Biscuit.
When life gets busy— like, really busy— it’s tempting to fantasize about getting away from it all. For those who are partial to outdoor zen, the Evergreen State is a paradise of serene hikes that will leave adventurers replenished. But for a proper al fresco reset, little can top Goldmyer Hot Springs. Visit these hot springs in Washington for an adventure that will melt your troubles away.
Washington's Indigenous peoples, specifically the Snoqualmie, or the sdukʷalbixʷ, likely knew of the springs long before the region saw its first European settlers. Still, it was a Californian transplant named William Goldmyer who would popularize it among colonial Washingtonians, capitalizing on the land's tremendous natural beauty to open the Crystal Hot Springs Resort in the early 1900s.
Though the surrounding landscape was cleared, somehow, Goldmyer remained untouched. Rare animals and plants find refuge in the dense stands of coniferous trees, creating an ecosystem estimated to provide more biomass than even South American rainforests.
To prevent habitat degradation, Goldmyer requires reservations to use the hot springs, imposing a strict limit of 20 people per day. Though it might seem like a drag, this system also means visitors will have the springs to themselves.
Steam billows from the spring's pools, where temperatures top out at 125ºF. The water is hottest towards the spring's source and cools as it cascades downhill.
With your privacy ensured, you're welcome to enjoy your soak in the buff. Just check in with the volunteers at Goldmyer to ensure you're good to relax au naturale. They'll also tell you whether you must limit your stay to accommodate later visitors.
Alert Goldmyer staff to your departure by ringing a bell. If you feel your experience was cut short, consider staying the night! Though the campground's amenities are sparse, it's a fantastic launch point to explore the Upper Middle Fork River Valley.
