Goldmyer Hot Springs
4.1(27)google
OutdoorWildlife Watching
Overview
Hidden deep within the rugged wilderness of the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, Goldmyer Hot Springs is a pristine, tightly regulated geothermal treasure. Accessible only via a rugged unpaved forest road followed by a scenic 4.5-mile hike through ancient old-growth rainforests, the springs feature crystal-clear, mineral-rich waters cascading inside a natural stone cave.
Practical Info
Suggested Duration1 day
Best TimeSummer and autumn (July to October) are recommended, as the wilderness logging roads are free of snow and less hazardous. Since access is strictly capped via a lottery system at 50 guests per day, the cave springs offer a pristine getaway.
Getting ThereTransportation is extremely rugged: drivers must operate a high-clearance 4x4 vehicle down unpaved Middle Fork Road, followed by a mandatory wilderness hike of approximately 4.5 miles each way through dense rainforest to reach the spring.
Travel Tips
- Rigid Crowding Limit: Access is strictly limited to 20 visitors per day. You must submit a reservation form months in advance and win a slot via their randomized live lottery system; no walk-ins are ever permitted.
- Critical Vehicle Warning: The final 6-mile unpaved forest road to the Dingford trailhead is notorious for giant washouts, deep water craters, and sharp jagged rocks. A high-clearance 4WD/AWD vehicle with 9-10 inches of clearance is mandatory; low-clearance sedans will suffer catastrophic body and tire damage.
- After parking, you must hike 4.5 miles one-way (9 miles round-trip) through dense old-growth wilderness to reach the tiered pools. There is zero cell service, electricity, or trash cans; you must pack out every piece of waste under Leave No Trace rules.
Reviews
Positive
- The ultimate wilderness hot spring near Seattle! Tucked away in an ancient temperate rainforest, the pure water has no foul sulfur smell, offering a fairytale setting.
- To protect the ecology and privacy, capacity is strictly limited to 30 visitors a day, ensuring a pristine environment completely free of noisy crowds.
- The terraced pool design fits perfectly into the mountainside; soaking from the upper lava cave pool to the lower tiers while listening to the creek is unmatched.
- The non-profit foundation manages the site rigorously with onsite caretaker rangers providing safety guides, and the primitive campsites are tidy.
Heads up
- Getting here is notoriously brutal; it requires driving a high-clearance 4x4 vehicle through miles of deep potholes and washboard forest roads, followed by a 4.5-mile hike.
- Snatching a permit is a gambling game; due to the strict 30-person cap, you must apply months ahead via their online lottery system, making spontaneous trips impossible.
- This is a strictly off-grid wilderness; there are no changing rooms, warm showers, cell reception, or electricity, and you must pack out all your trash.
- The pools are strictly clothing-optional; encountering fully nude bathers is very common, which might feel awkward for conservative tourists or families with kids.