olympic hot springs

My husband and I stayed at one of the cabins at the Hot Springs. The cabin was wonderful, the hot springs fabulous and the hiking trails great. Would recommend for anyone that enjoys being outdoors, and room in the cabins for more than 2 people.

I had the experience of the camp sites of the Olympic National Park and the Washington State camp sites. Let's say that if you want to be quiet, have a tidy camp site and feeling more close to your environment, I will go for the Washington State camp sites, worth the extra money. Unfortunately, now they want a reservation but you can still take your chance, it is what I did.

Everything is closed on this entrance to the Park. Waterfall trail closed, under repair, outlook closed due to dam deconstruction, hot springs closed too.

interesting place with kids - the hike was great, but the hot springs area itself is a big tourist trap. The staff did keep it clean and everyone was very helpful. The cabin are teeny tiny.

Because of the removal of the Elwa River Dam, The approach through the Elwa Valley is closed. Until this project is finished, the only way to the springs is via the Sol Duc Trail and the Appleton Pass and down Bolder Creek. In most cases this is a two day hike to get there and back. My last visit to the springs two years ago found them refreshing.

I hiked to Olympic Hot Spring with my 7 and 5 year olds. The 2.4 mile took about 2 hours up and 90 minutes back. We sat in a hot spring pool for about an hour, had a snack, then hiked back. Yes, the hike is easy, but long, for little ones. My 7 year old was fine. I advised my kids about naked adults, and we only saw one. Bring water shoes, the rocks hurt. We arrived around noon and left around 5:00.

Facts: The springs are tiny and shallow (at the deepest point, the water will reach your knees). The water is hot and black. During the summer, the springs are busy and you may have to wait. Many of the visitors bathe nude.

The drive is the hardest part of this hike. Miles on a windy road that isn't maintained in winter (or really in summer). Go slow enough to not hit on-coming traffic, if there is any.Hike 2.5 miles on a mostly paved old roadbed. You will cross 3 creeks/streams. Two had bridges, one required rock hopping or, as in my case, wading. After a turnoff to a campground, you will cross a well made bridge (I guess a 4th crossing) and there are a series of hot pools tucked in little alcoves around the river. The National Parks Service maintains that these hot springs are not safe, but the truth is they don't know. They don't track data, so there is no evidence that they are safe, but not evidence that they aren't either. In my web-reviews I found only one case of someone getting an infection from the pools. But use at your own risk.The pools vary in size and temperature. Choose one and hop in. The Parks Service discourages public nudity, and on the day I hiked there were a ton of kids around, so be polite about it. It is worth the trip! And bonus-- the hike back to the car is essentially all down hill!!

A relatively short, easy 2.5 mile hike up to the picturesque log bridge and the 7 pools. It was strangely vacant when we first arrived which was delightful because we had the choice of the best pools all to ourselves and were able to skinny dip to our hearts desire before heading back to camp to make lunch. Some people began to arrive later in the evening but it was still empty enough to where you could have a pool to yourselves. A beautiful romantic getaway.

a great day hike just a couple hour drive from Tacoma! Go all the way to the last one, its the best.