Scenic Hot Springs

Chelan County, Washington · Near Leavenworth
47.7070°N, 121.1550°W · 2,246 ft
122°F 50°F air · Good soaking weather 2,246 ft Open Short Walk US Forest Service Camping nearby (8.5 mi)
Aerial view of the ground around Scenic Hot Springs LiDAR bare-earth view of the same ground around Scenic 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.

Scenic Hot Springs is a hot spring in the Snoqualmie National Forest in Chelan County, Washington, about twenty-four miles from Leavenworth. The water is hot, well above soaking temperature straight from the source. Forest Service land, access listed as open.

Location

Forest Road 840 passes within about five hundred feet, so the walk is short. The site sits at a modest mountain elevation in wet country, with heavy rain and winter snow that piles to the hundreds of inches. Beckler River Campground is a little over eight miles away.

December through February rank best on the record. The temperature on file is hot enough to burn, so cool it or find the cooler edge before getting in. No fee on record. Water chemistry has not been sampled.

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 Scenic Hot Springs.

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

That's about 1½ times the US average of 65. It's higher than at 41% 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
33°
Jan
32°
Feb
37°
Mar
41°
Apr
50°
May
55°
Jun
62°
Jul
64°
Aug
58°
Sep
47°
Oct
37°
Nov
31°
Dec
Annual Precip: 86.6 in Annual Snow: 333.4 in
Best Time to Visit
December Air 31°F · Water 122°F · +91° contrast
February Air 32°F · Water 122°F · +90° contrast
January Air 33°F · Water 122°F · +89° contrast
December offers 33°F more contrast than August
Current Conditions
50°F
ENE 0.0 mph 98% Good soaking weather
Today 51° Low 42° Chance Light Rain 28% precip
Spring is +71° warmer
Wednesday 64° Low 46° Sunny
Spring is +58° warmer
Thursday 67° Low 47° Sunny
Spring is +55° warmer
Friday 65° Low 47° Sunny
Spring is +57° warmer
Saturday 67° Low 48° Mostly Sunny
Spring is +55° warmer
Nearby Camping
Nearby Camping
Beckler River Campground 8.5 mi away

Overview Situated along at the banks of the tranquil Beckler River in Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, this campground offers some of the most stunning scenery in the Northern Cascade Range of Washington. The spacious campsites are nestled in a dense old-growth forest of Douglas fir, cedar and western hemlock, and are within walking distance to the river. Campers will find a wide variety of recreational activities in the North Fork Skykomish, Beckler River and West Fork Foss River ar...

Reservable Yes
Reserve on Recreation.gov →
Temperature
122°F
Warm Hot Boiling
Water Temp 122°F (50°C)
Avg Air Temp 46°F
Above Ambient +77°F
Great soaking conditions September
Access
Open
Road Access Short Walk
Nearest Road Forest Road 840
Distance to Road 496 ft
Land
Ownership Federal
Agency US Forest Service
Designation National Forest
Unit Snoqualmie National Forest
Manager US Forest Service
Protection 3 - Protected, subject to extractive use
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the water temperature at Scenic Hot Springs?
Scenic Hot Springs has a water temperature of 122°F (50°C). This is considered a hot spring, well above body temperature.
Where is Scenic Hot Springs located?
Scenic Hot Springs is located in Chelan County, Washington at 2,246 feet elevation, near Leavenworth. Coordinates: 47.7070°N, 121.1550°W.
How do I get to Scenic Hot Springs?
Scenic Hot Springs has Short Walk road access, with the nearest road being Forest Road 840 (496 ft from the road).
Is Scenic Hot Springs free to visit?
Scenic Hot Springs has Open access. It is managed by US Forest Service.
Can I camp near Scenic Hot Springs?
Yes, Beckler River Campground is located nearby (8.5 miles away).
Is it safe to soak at Scenic Hot Springs?
With care. At 122°F Scenic 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.