Kennedy Hot Spring

Snohomish County, Washington · Near Darrington
48.1180°N, 121.1920°W · 3,520 ft
100°F 50°F air · Good soaking weather 3,520 ft Open Backcountry US Forest Service Camping nearby (9.0 mi)
Aerial view of the ground around Kennedy Hot Spring LiDAR bare-earth view of the same ground around Kennedy 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.

Kennedy Hot Spring is a backcountry spring in Snohomish County, Washington, on Mt. Baker National Forest ground, twenty-one miles or so from Darrington. The temperature listed is right around body heat, soaking warm with no chance of a burn. Access is open per the record. Nearly six miles lie between the spring and Sloan Creek Road, the last road in, and the approach is on foot the whole way.

Location

Mid-elevation Cascades, around thirty-five hundred feet. The climate figures show precipitation near a hundred inches and snowfall measured in the hundreds, so the route spends a good chunk of the year buried. Forest Service ground inside a national forest, nothing recorded for a fee. Six miles each way from Sloan Creek Road is a serious distance with a pack on.

Winter months are listed as best, a strange fit for a place with this much snow. Plan around conditions on the ground. Sulphur Creek Campground sits about nine miles away and is the camping the record names. The water is comfortable for soaking and poses no burn risk. Nearly six miles of backcountry each way calls for overnight planning.

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 Kennedy Hot Spring.

Setting
Hillside
The spring sits on a steep slope that climbs to the southeast.
Highest ground nearby
360 ft above the spring
Within a quarter mile, to the southeast
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
118 milliwatts per square meter of heat flow

That's about twice the US average of 65. It's higher than at 70% 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
29°
Jan
28°
Feb
32°
Mar
37°
Apr
45°
May
50°
Jun
58°
Jul
60°
Aug
53°
Sep
42°
Oct
32°
Nov
27°
Dec
Annual Precip: 96.2 in Annual Snow: 418.6 in
Best Time to Visit
December Air 27°F · Water 100°F · +73° contrast
February Air 28°F · Water 100°F · +72° contrast
January Air 29°F · Water 100°F · +71° contrast
December offers 33°F more contrast than August
Current Conditions
50°F
E 0.0 mph 100% Good soaking weather
Tuesday 53° Low 44° Chance Light Rain 31% precip
Spring is +47° warmer
Wednesday 66° Low 41° Sunny
Spring is +34° warmer
Thursday 68° Low 46° Sunny
Spring is +32° warmer
Friday 66° Low 47° Sunny
Spring is +34° warmer
Saturday 68° Low 47° Mostly Sunny
Spring is +32° warmer
Where to Stay

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Nearby Camping
Sulphur Creek Campground 9.0 mi away

Overview Sulphur Creek Campground is a primitive site in a beautiful forest along the banks of the scenic Suiattle River and Sulpher Creek. It is a remote haven set amongst towering old growth Douglas fir trees in the Mt. Baker-Snoquamie National Forest. Hikers frequently camp here to explore the many trails surrounding the facility. It has moderate, enjoyable summer temperatures throughout the camping season.Recreation The biggest draw to Sulphur Creek Campground is hiking. The well-known...

Reservable Yes
Reserve on Recreation.gov →
Temperature
100°F
Warm Hot Boiling
Water Temp 100°F (38°C)
Avg Air Temp 41°F
Above Ambient +59°F
Good soaking conditions September
Access
Open
Road Access Backcountry
Nearest Road Sloan Creek Road
Distance to Road 5.7 mi
Land
Ownership Federal
Agency US Forest Service
Designation National Forest
Unit Mt. Baker National Forest
Manager US Forest Service
Protection 3 - Protected, subject to extractive use
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the water temperature at Kennedy Hot Spring?
Kennedy Hot Spring has a water temperature of 100°F (38°C). This is considered a hot spring, well above body temperature.
Where is Kennedy Hot Spring located?
Kennedy Hot Spring is located in Snohomish County, Washington at 3,520 feet elevation, near Darrington. Coordinates: 48.1180°N, 121.1920°W.
How do I get to Kennedy Hot Spring?
Kennedy Hot Spring has Backcountry road access, with the nearest road being Sloan Creek Road (5.7 mi from the road).
Is Kennedy Hot Spring free to visit?
Kennedy Hot Spring has Open access. It is managed by US Forest Service.
Can I camp near Kennedy Hot Spring?
Yes, Sulphur Creek Campground is located nearby (9.0 miles away).