Packwood Hot Spring

Lewis County, Washington · Near Morton
46.5750°N, 121.7060°W · 1,002 ft
100°F 43°F air · Good soaking weather 1,002 ft Short Walk Camping nearby (8.8 mi)
Aerial view of the ground around Packwood Hot Spring LiDAR bare-earth view of the same ground around Packwood 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.

Packwood Hot Spring is a spring at about body temperature in Lewis County, Washington, twenty-seven miles from Morton on the record, with no landowner or access status recorded. That blank matters more than the temperature. The water on file is soaking warm, no scald risk. Baker Road is the closest road, a short walk from the spring.

Location

Baker Road gets you close. Low, about a thousand feet, with the climate record showing over eighty inches of precipitation and sizeable snowfall for ground this low. Nothing in the record says who owns the ground or what it is designated as, and the only nearby camping listed is La Wis Wis Campground, not quite nine miles away.

La Wis Wis Campground is the place to camp if you come. The record calls winter the best time. Before going, find out who owns the land and if they allow visitors; the record has nothing on either, and that gap is the main thing standing between you and a soak. Temperature-wise it is comfortable and safe.

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 Packwood Hot Spring.

Setting
Hillside
The spring sits on a steep slope that climbs to the northwest.
Highest ground nearby
713 ft above the spring
Within a quarter mile, to the northwest
Cross-section through the spring

A slice through the ground from northwest to southeast, about 0.6 miles end to end.

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

Heat Below
100 milliwatts per square meter of heat flow

That's about 1½ times the US average of 65. It's higher than at 47% 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
38°
Jan
37°
Feb
41°
Mar
45°
Apr
54°
May
60°
Jun
67°
Jul
69°
Aug
62°
Sep
52°
Oct
42°
Nov
36°
Dec
Annual Precip: 80.9 in Annual Snow: 213.8 in
Best Time to Visit
December Air 36°F · Water 100°F · +64° contrast
February Air 37°F · Water 100°F · +63° contrast
January Air 38°F · Water 100°F · +62° contrast
December offers 33°F more contrast than August
Current Conditions
43°F
Unknown Precipitation SW 4.5 mph 100% Good soaking weather
Tuesday 65° Low 50° Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Light Rain 19% precip
Spring is +35° warmer
Wednesday 76° Low 49° Sunny
Spring is +24° warmer
Thursday 79° Low 52° Sunny 1% precip
Spring is +21° warmer
Friday 77° Low 53° Sunny
Spring is +23° warmer
Saturday 81° Low 53° Sunny
Spring is +19° warmer
Nearby Camping
Nearby Camping
La Wis Wis Campground 8.8 mi away

Overview Situated at the confluence of three waterways near Mount Rainier, La Wis Wis is nestled under a canopy of towering Douglas firs and red cedars. The handful of sites that dot the riverbank enjoy the most sunshine. With an abundance of activities nearby, La Wis Wis is a popular destination for long-stay camping. Its proximity to Mount Rainier National Park makes it an excellent base for exploring all of the area's natural wonders. Recreation Hikers can easily access the Blue Hole Tr...

Fee Extra Vehicle Fee $8.00
Reservable Yes
Reserve on Recreation.gov →
Temperature
100°F
Warm Hot Boiling
Water Temp 100°F (38°C)
Avg Air Temp 50°F
Above Ambient +50°F
Good soaking conditions September
Access
Road Access Short Walk
Nearest Road Baker Road
Distance to Road 0.1 mi
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the water temperature at Packwood Hot Spring?
Packwood Hot Spring has a water temperature of 100°F (38°C). This is considered a hot spring, well above body temperature.
Where is Packwood Hot Spring located?
Packwood Hot Spring is located in Lewis County, Washington at 1,002 feet elevation, near Morton. Coordinates: 46.5750°N, 121.7060°W.
How do I get to Packwood Hot Spring?
Packwood Hot Spring has Short Walk road access, with the nearest road being Baker Road (0.1 mi from the road).
Can I camp near Packwood Hot Spring?
Yes, La Wis Wis Campground is located nearby (8.8 miles away). Extra Vehicle Fee $8.00.