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Situated just north of the Oregon-Washington border, outside of the town of Carson, Wind River Hot Springs is a set of two primitive hot springs. These natural pools are positioned directly adjacent to the Wind River.

Being that the water level of the river is only low enough to cross during the late summer, access to the springs can be tricky. Springtime is generally too early to go. The geothermally heated mineral water is sure to be worth the trouble.

For those who manage to reach the geothermally heated mineral water, a private Washingtonian oasis is all but guaranteed. Due to the tricky access, the Wind River Hot Springs is generally not crowded. During the fishing season and weekends, locals sometimes make use of the pools, but otherwise, the springs are usually vacant.

Mineral Hot Spring Pools

Image of a creek running through the forest in Washington
Although primitive, and difficult to reach, the Wind River Hot Springs are worth the journey. Photo by: Matthew Warner

The hot springs are made up of two natural bedrock pools. They’re both fairly large and can accommodate four or five people each. One pool maintains temperatures around 105°F, while the other stays at a slightly cooler 102°F.

When combined with the freshwater of the nearby Wind River, this contrast provides the opportunity for relaxing hot/cold therapy.

Camping

Image of tents in the forest in Carson, Washington
Camping is not permitted at the springs, but the Wind Woods River campsite is nearby. Photo by: Todd Nappen

There is no free, public camping nearby, but a small campground is located on the private property that abuts the springs. This campground, Wind Wood Rivers, features five sites, two of which can accommodate large RVs.

There are no hookups, and the campsites are primitive. The only facilities are a few basic port-a-potties, but all of the campsites are private and located in beautiful woods near the Wind River.

Getting There

Image of rafters on the Wind River in Washington, home to the Wind River Hot Springs
Getting to the Wind River Hot Springs is tricky; there are three routes you can take. Photo by: Zachary Collier

The springs are set below the high water point of the Wind River, giving the public lawful access to them. However, private property abuts the high water line, making it difficult to access the springs without trespassing.

There are three distinct ways of accessing the beautiful springs, all of which have their potential drawbacks:

  1. Park at the nearby Carson Hot Springs Resort for a small fee: From here, it is just a short hike to the river. The Wind River must be crossed to access the hot springs and it moves very quickly, making this option potentially dangerous for unseasoned swimmers.
  2. Park, for free, on some of the neighborhood roads in Carson: From here, visitors can hike to and cross the river. There is a small footbridge that is located on public land, but it is illegal to use and some visitors have reported being ticketed after crossing the bridge.
  3. Park, for free, on the side of Indian Cabin Road: The river can be accessed from this road, and, assuming the water is low enough to not trespass above the high water line of the Wind River, the hot springs can be reached fairly easily.

Details

Address: Adjacent to the Wind River, Carson, Washington 98610

Season: Late Summer

Camping: Nearby

GPS: 45.736871,-121804191