Cook Creek Hot Spring

Asotin County, Oregon · Near Asotin
45.8910°N, 116.8730°W
97°F 34°F air · Good soaking weather Open Hike US Forest Service Camping nearby (12.0 mi)

Cook Creek Hot Spring is a backcountry warm spring on the Wallowa National Forest, reached on foot. The record assigns it to Asotin County with the town of Asotin nearest. Water temperature is a shade under body heat, which makes for a comfortable soak, and the Forest Service lists access as open. Getting there is the whole story here: the nearest road is three and a half miles off.

Location

The hike starts from Cold Springs Road. There is no elevation in the file. The climate is on the dry side, around two feet of precipitation, with a moderate amount of winter snow. Coyote Campground is the closest listed, roughly twelve miles from the spring.

Winter months are marked as best in the record, which for a hike of this length with snow on the ground is a decision to make with a forecast in hand. The water is pleasant to sit in. Nothing is charged as far as anyone has written down. The nearest campground, Coyote, is a dozen miles off, so do not count on camping close by.

Terrain

Aircraft with laser scanners measured this ground to within inches. The scan strips out trees and buildings, leaving the bare shape of the land around Cook Creek Hot Spring.

Aerial view of the ground around Cook Creek Hot Spring LiDAR bare-earth view of the same ground around Cook Creek Hot Spring
Aerial LiDAR bare earth

Drag the handle to compare the two views. The orange dot marks the spring, in a frame about three quarters of a mile wide.

Setting
Canyon floor
Steep ground climbs away on both sides of the spring.
Highest ground nearby
991 ft above the spring
Within a quarter mile, to the southeast
Cross-section through the spring

A slice through the ground from southwest to northeast, about 0.6 miles end to end.

Elevation data: USGS 3D Elevation Program. Aerial imagery: USGS The National Map. Public domain.

Heat Below
79 milliwatts per square meter of heat flow

That's close to the US average of 65. It's higher than at 14% of the springs on this site.

Heat flow measures the warmth working its way up through the ground from deep inside the earth. Where it runs high, rain and snowmelt that seep down through cracks in the rock come back up hot.

Heat flow estimate: Stanford Thermal Earth Model (Aljubran & Horne, 2024), CC BY 4.0.

Monthly Climate
35°
Jan
37°
Feb
44°
Mar
51°
Apr
60°
May
67°
Jun
78°
Jul
79°
Aug
68°
Sep
54°
Oct
42°
Nov
34°
Dec
Annual Precip: 23.8 in Annual Snow: 40.9 in
Best Time to Visit
December Air 34°F · Water 97°F · +63° contrast
January Air 35°F · Water 97°F · +62° contrast
February Air 37°F · Water 97°F · +60° contrast
December offers 44°F more contrast than August
Current Conditions
34°F
E 4.3 mph 95% Good soaking weather
Tuesday 74° Low 48° Partly Sunny 5% precip
Spring is +23° warmer
Wednesday 78° Low 50° Sunny 2% precip
Spring is +19° warmer
Thursday 78° Low 53° Slight Chance Rain Showers then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms 50% precip
Spring is +19° warmer
Friday 81° Low 53° Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny 16% precip
Spring is +16° warmer
Saturday 83° Low 53° Sunny 1% precip
Spring is +14° warmer
Where to Stay

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Nearby Camping
Coyote Campground 12.0 mi away

Coyote Campground is situated in an open pine forest and grassland. The site offers 6 tent/trailer sites. Primary activities include; camping (summer and during fall hunting season) and picnicking.

Reserve on Recreation.gov →
Temperature
97°F
Warm Hot Boiling
Water Temp 97°F (36°C)
Avg Air Temp 54°F
Above Ambient +43°F
Mild soaking conditions September
Access
Open
Road Access Hike
Nearest Road Cold Springs Road
Distance to Road 3.5 mi
Land
Ownership Federal
Agency US Forest Service
Designation National Forest
Unit Wallowa National Forest
Manager US Forest Service
Protection 3 - Protected, subject to extractive use
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the water temperature at Cook Creek Hot Spring?
Cook Creek Hot Spring has a water temperature of 97°F (36°C). This is a warm thermal spring.
Where is Cook Creek Hot Spring located?
Cook Creek Hot Spring is located in Asotin County, Oregon, near Asotin. Coordinates: 45.8910°N, 116.8730°W.
How do I get to Cook Creek Hot Spring?
Cook Creek Hot Spring has Hike road access, with the nearest road being Cold Springs Road (3.5 mi from the road).
Is Cook Creek Hot Spring free to visit?
Cook Creek Hot Spring has Open access. It is managed by US Forest Service.
Can I camp near Cook Creek Hot Spring?
Yes, Coyote Campground is located nearby (12.0 miles away).