Scenic Hot Springs
By the HotSpringsFind editorial team · How we compile records · Reviewed September 2026
Scenic Hot Springs is a private hot spring listed near Skykomish, Washington. Reported soak temperature: 110°F. See the visit fact sheet.
Current status
Open by advance online reservation only (walk-ins turned away, caretakers patrol daily) — $30-35/person shared access or $375-450 exclusive; 2-mi, 1,100-ft-gain hike on private land near Skykomish.
Checked September 2026 · verified on the operator’s site · 3 sources ↓
Staying overnight?
Stay in Skykomish on the US-2 approach.
Skykomish is about 11 mi from the spring (straight line).
We may earn a commission from bookings through these links, at no extra cost to you.
Before you go
- Status: Reservation or permission required — confirm via Scenic Hot Springs — Visitor Information / Conditions of Access.
- Cost: Reported $30 — confirm current rates before visiting.
- Getting there: No verified hike distance on record — confirm the route and road conditions.
- Water: Reported soak temperature 110°F — always test the water before entering.
- Rules: Reported clothing-optional; pets reported not allowed — confirm current rules.
- Conditions: check weather, fire closures, and land-manager alerts the week you go — mountain access changes seasonally.
- Reservations/permits: Book online at scenichotsprings.com; account creation recommended — popular dates sell out; booker must be 18+; minors need a guardian; carry written permission
- Booking: Reservation required.
- Best time to go: Weekdays; winter weekdays are the quietest but demand real snow gear
- Clothing reality: Owner-stated norm: 'Clothing optional is the norm... expect nudity in the pools and often on the trail'; lewd behavior not tolerated. Private property, so nudity is legal/condoned.
- Kids: Minimum age 6.
- Cell service: spotty — download maps and tell someone your plan.
- Accessibility: Not accessible — steep 2-mi trail with 1,100 ft gain; snowshoes/crampons in winter
- Reservation only via scenichotsprings.com — NO walk-ins; trailhead directions and gate/parking details are emailed after booking
- Shared access $30-35/person (season-dependent); private/exclusive $450 fall-winter (15 max) or $375 spring-summer (10 max); groups of 6+ must book private
- Off the property before sunset — no night soaking, no camping
- No pets (county health code — you'll be escorted off), no fires, no firearms, no glass
- Unregistered/unauthorized vehicles are towed; vehicle registration required at booking
- No refunds or last-minute reschedules for weather — must request reschedule 72+ hrs ahead
- Hazard: Steep rough trail; winter snow/ice can strand unprepared visitors
- Hazard: Pools unchlorinated — hygiene rules enforced (no soaking with open sores etc.)
- Hazard: Daily capacity limited; book early for weekends/holidays
About this spring
Privately owned natural mineral springs on a steep forested slope south of US-2 near Scenic, ~8 miles west of Stevens Pass. Two minimally developed stone pools (Lobster Pot ~110-118°F, Bear Den ~5°F cooler). Access is by advance online reservation only with a daily caretaker; capacity capped. Fee: ~$30-35/person trail fee; reservation mandatory — no walk-ins. Reservation mandatory — caretaker patrols daily, unauthorized vehicles towed. Off property before sunset. No pets, no children under 6. Winter may require snowshoes.
Scenic Hot Springs is a privately owned natural mineral spring in Washington state that is closed to the public. It is located south of U.S. Route 2, about 8 miles west of Stevens Pass and bordering the Alpine Lakes Wilderness. Nearby, the Great Northern Railway had a stop for travelers to experience the springs. Near the railroad, in the 1890s, a lodge known as Madison Hot Springs, was built to accommodate visitors to these mineral baths who arrived by train from Seattle. The mineral spring water is slightly acidic with a natural temperature of about 50 °F (10.0 °C). The lodge heated the water and piped it to bathhouses, misleadingly advertising them as "hot springs". The name of the lodge was later changed to Scenic Hot Springs and it survived as a commercial venture until 1928. Construction by the Great Northern Railway of an 8-mile tunnel under Stevens Pass dumped rubble into the front yard of the lodge and effected its destruction. Largely forgotten until the 1980s, it then became a popular gathering spot for mineral water bathers who constructed several tubs of various temperatures. In October 2001 the King County Sheriff shut down the springs and threatened to arrest bathers for trespassing, at the land owner's request. The landowner was apparently not aware of what was taking place on the property. Activities occurring at the springs were a liability risk and the fact that the area is environmentally protected and no building permits had been issued was used as a reason to demolish the decking. Today, the springs are privately owned, and may be accessed through a reservation system.
Text from the Wikipedia article “Scenic Hot Springs”, available under CC BY-SA.
Directions & trailhead access
Trailhead on US-2 ~10 miles east of Skykomish near Scenic; exact directions disclosed only after booking at scenichotsprings.com. Steep, rugged 2-mile uphill trail (~1,100-1,300 ft gain).
Washington geothermal context
Washington's springs are split between Cascade volcanic valleys and the rain-soaked Olympic Peninsula. The Olympic Hot Springs sit inside a national park with permit rules and seasonal road closures; Cascade sites hide under mossy old-growth forest reachable by trail. Winter storms routinely close access roads — check forest-service alerts October through May.
What a private-access site means here
This spring is on private property. Listing it documents the location's existence — it is not an invitation. Visiting requires explicit owner permission, and some sites are accessible only through memberships, hosted events, or arrangements with the land manager. Do not arrive unannounced.
Best time to visit
May – October (Spring through Fall)Pacific Northwest springs are framed by lush temperate rainforests. Summer brings dry, sunny trail conditions, while autumn provides vibrant foliage and crisp soaking weather.
Fact sheet
| Reported soak temp | 110°F |
|---|---|
| Source temp (historical) | 118°F |
| Trail access | Recorded coordinates — access unverified |
| Access fee | Reported $30 — verify |
| Clothing policy | Reported clothing-optional |
| Pet policy | Reported no pets |
| Geothermal data reference | NOAA Thermal Springs List (1980 archive) |
| Check land status | Private land — contact the owner/manager for permission |
Scenic Hot Springs FAQ
Is Scenic Hot Springs open right now?
Open by advance online reservation only (walk-ins turned away, caretakers patrol daily) — $30-35/person shared access or $375-450 exclusive; 2-mi, 1,100-ft-gain hike on private land near Skykomish. (Status verified on the operator’s site, last checked September 2026.)
Is Scenic Hot Springs free?
Scenic Hot Springs is listed with reported fees near Skykomish. Fees are reported; confirm admission, parking and permit costs with the site manager.
What temperature is Scenic Hot Springs?
Scenic Hot Springs has a reported soak temperature of 110°F and a historical source temperature of 118°F in survey records. Historical data may not reflect current conditions — always test water before entering.
Is Scenic Hot Springs clothing optional?
Scenic Hot Springs is listed as traditionally clothing-optional in directory records. Confirm current rules before visiting, as policies change.
How do you access Scenic Hot Springs?
Scenic Hot Springs requires permission, a permit or advance booking — confirm the terms with the site manager before visiting.
Where to stay in Skykomish
Stay in Skykomish on the US-2 approach. Confirm Scenic’s private-property reservation before booking the room.
Skykomish is about 11 mi from the spring (straight line).
We may earn a commission from bookings through these links, at no extra cost to you.
Sources & references
- Scenic Hot Springs — Visitor Information / Conditions of Access — operator · 2026-09
- Scenic Hot Springs — The Scenic Experience (pricing) — operator · 2026-09
- Hot Springs Guides — Scenic Hot Springs — community · 2026
Details above were verified against the named sources on their listed dates — conditions change, so recheck before traveling. · How we verify our data · Report a correction
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