Collins Hot Springs

Skamania County, Washington · Near Carson
45.7010°N, 121.7280°W · 127 ft
122°F 53°F air · Good soaking weather 127 ft Short Walk Camping nearby (2.2 mi)

Collins Hot Springs is a hot spring in Skamania County, Washington, about five miles from Carson. The water is hot, well above body temperature, hot enough that you would not sit in it without cooling. No owner is listed and access is not on file. There is no chemistry for it either, and no USGS site. A photograph is attached.

Location

From the Lewis and Clark Trail Highway it is a short walk, somewhere over four hundred feet. The elevation is about a hundred and thirty feet, low ground. The climate is wet, sixty-five inches of rain and snow a year, with heavy snow for that elevation, nearly eight feet. Wyeth Campground is about two miles away. Land unit and designation are blank.

Winter months are rated best. A short walk from the highway. Wyeth Campground is close, about two miles. The water is hot enough to burn, so test it before you step in. Access is not recorded, so check before you go.

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 Collins Hot Springs.

Aerial view of the ground around Collins Hot Springs LiDAR bare-earth view of the same ground around Collins Hot Springs
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
Valley floor
Gentle slopes rise on both sides.
Highest ground nearby
157 ft above the spring
Within a quarter mile, to the northwest
Cross-section through the spring

A slice through the ground from north to south, about 0.6 miles end to end.

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

Heat Below
90 milliwatts per square meter of heat flow

That's about 1½ times the US average of 65. It's higher than at 30% 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
39°
Jan
40°
Feb
44°
Mar
51°
Apr
59°
May
64°
Jun
71°
Jul
73°
Aug
65°
Sep
54°
Oct
45°
Nov
38°
Dec
Annual Precip: 65.1 in Annual Snow: 93.8 in
Best Time to Visit
January Air 39°F · Water 122°F · +84° contrast
December Air 38°F · Water 122°F · +84° contrast
February Air 40°F · Water 122°F · +82° contrast
January offers 35°F more contrast than August
Current Conditions
53°F
SSW 2.3 mph 94% Good soaking weather
Today 69° Low 55° Mostly Cloudy 10% precip
Spring is +53° warmer
Wednesday 76° Low 59° Sunny
Spring is +46° warmer
Thursday 81° Low 59° Sunny 1% precip
Spring is +41° warmer
Friday 78° Low 58° Sunny
Spring is +44° warmer
Saturday 82° Low 60° Sunny
Spring is +40° warmer
Where to Stay

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Nearby Camping
Wyeth Campground 2.2 mi away

Overview Wyeth Campground is just off of Interstate 84 in a forested setting with grassy fields. There are 13 individual sites, three group sites, and a camp host. In the past this site was a Seed Kiln, Guard Station, Church camp, Civilian Conservation Corps camp and Conscientious Objector Camp during World War II.Recreation The Wyeth trail and the Gorge 400 trail access wilderness, waterfalls, the Pacific Crest Trail and dispersed camping opportunities. Fishing, sea kayaking, kiteboarding...

Reservable Yes
Reserve on Recreation.gov →
Temperature
122°F
Warm Hot Boiling
Water Temp 122°F (50°C)
Avg Air Temp 54°F
Above Ambient +68°F
Great soaking conditions September
Access
Road Access Short Walk
Nearest Road Lewis and Clark Trail Highway
Distance to Road 439 ft
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the water temperature at Collins Hot Springs?
Collins Hot Springs has a water temperature of 122°F (50°C). This is considered a hot spring, well above body temperature.
Where is Collins Hot Springs located?
Collins Hot Springs is located in Skamania County, Washington at 127 feet elevation, near Carson. Coordinates: 45.7010°N, 121.7280°W.
How do I get to Collins Hot Springs?
Collins Hot Springs has Short Walk road access, with the nearest road being Lewis and Clark Trail Highway (439 ft from the road).
Can I camp near Collins Hot Springs?
Yes, Wyeth Campground is located nearby (2.2 miles away).
Is it safe to soak at Collins Hot Springs?
With care. At 122°F Collins Hot Springs is hot enough to need short sessions, fifteen to twenty minutes, and plenty of water. Enter slowly and get out if you feel light-headed.