Sol Duc Hot Springs

Washington · Near Sooke
47.9690°N, 123.8640°W · 1,640 ft
122°F 1,640 ft Open Roadside National Park Service Camping nearby (0.3 mi)

Sol Duc Hot Springs is a hot spring inside Olympic National Park, and the campground on record is the Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort campground, which says something about what kind of place this is. The source water runs hot, beyond soaking temperature. Access is open, the Park Service holds the land, and the road is right there.

Location
21 miles from Port Angeles, WA

Eighty-odd feet from the road, so roadside by any measure. Elevation is around sixteen hundred feet in the Olympic National Park interior. Wet: the climate record shows eighty-some inches of precipitation plus a snow total above a hundred inches. The water sample on file, from 1967, shows strongly alkaline water with moderate dissolved solids.

The resort campground is a third of a mile away. Winter comes up top on record, and snowfall is significant, so find out if the park road is open before you go. The source can burn; whatever pools exist, test before entering. Fee not on record.

History of Sol Duc Hot Springs

The water chemistry on file goes back to a sample from October 1967. USGS holds a site number, and OpenStreetMap uses the same name.

Terrain

USGS hasn't flown a detailed laser scan here yet, so this view comes from aerial photos and older elevation data.

Aerial view of the ground around Sol Duc Hot Springs

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
257 ft above the spring
Within a quarter mile, to the southwest
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
97 milliwatts per square meter of heat flow

That's about 1½ times the US average of 65. It's higher than at 42% 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
36°
Feb
38°
Mar
43°
Apr
51°
May
54°
Jun
60°
Jul
62°
Aug
57°
Sep
49°
Oct
41°
Nov
37°
Dec
Annual Precip: 82.9 in Annual Snow: 130.7 in
Best Time to Visit
February Air 36°F · Water 122°F · +86° contrast
December Air 37°F · Water 122°F · +85° contrast
January Air 38°F · Water 122°F · +84° contrast
February offers 26°F more contrast than August
Current Conditions
SW 0.0 mph
Tuesday 61° Low 47° Mostly Sunny 9% precip
Spring is +61° warmer
Wednesday 71° Low 49° Sunny
Spring is +51° warmer
Thursday 73° Low 52° Sunny
Spring is +49° warmer
Friday 69° Low 51° Sunny
Spring is +53° warmer
Saturday 69° Low 51° Mostly Sunny
Spring is +53° warmer
Water Chemistry Sampled 1967-10-04

The water at Sol Duc Hot Springs is alkaline (pH 9.5) with 262 mg/L total dissolved solids.

pH 9.5 Alkaline
pH influences mineral absorption through skin
Higher mineral concentration for therapeutic soaking
Calcium 1 mg/L
May support bone density and joint health
Magnesium 0 mg/L
Known for muscle relaxation and stress relief
Sodium 80 mg/L
Supports circulation and skin hydration
Sulfate 34 mg/L
Traditionally used for skin conditions and inflammation
Chloride 4 mg/L
Natural antiseptic with skin health benefits
Where to Stay

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Nearby Camping
Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort Campground 0.3 mi away

Overview For up to date pool schedule information, please visit our website here. Pool access fees are $19 for adults, $15 for children ages 4-12 and $15 for seniors over 62 years old per session. Towel rentals are $5. You may bring your own towel. Lockers are available, but locks are not provided. Located along the Sol Duc River, Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort Campground is on the "edge of the backcountry in the heart of the Olympic National Park" with hot spring pools and access to many hiking...

Reservable Yes
Reserve on Recreation.gov →
Temperature
122°F
Warm Hot Boiling
Water Temp 122°F (50°C)
Avg Air Temp 47°F
Above Ambient +75°F
Great soaking conditions September
Access
Open
Road Access Roadside
Distance to Road 83 ft
Land
Ownership Federal
Agency National Park Service
Designation National Park
Unit Olympic National Park
Manager National Park Service
Protection 1 - Permanent protection, natural state
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the water temperature at Sol Duc Hot Springs?
Sol Duc Hot Springs has a water temperature of 122°F (50°C). This is considered a hot spring, well above body temperature.
Where is Sol Duc Hot Springs located?
Sol Duc Hot Springs is located in Washington at 1,640 feet elevation, near Sooke. Coordinates: 47.9690°N, 123.8640°W.
How do I get to Sol Duc Hot Springs?
Sol Duc Hot Springs has Roadside road access (83 ft from the road).
Is Sol Duc Hot Springs free to visit?
Sol Duc Hot Springs has Open access. It is managed by National Park Service.
Can I camp near Sol Duc Hot Springs?
Yes, Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort Campground is located nearby (0.3 miles away).
What minerals are in the water at Sol Duc Hot Springs?
Water chemistry analysis shows the presence of pH, Total Dissolved Solids, Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Sulfate, Chloride. The pH is 9.5 (alkaline). Total dissolved solids measure 262 mg/L.
Is it safe to soak at Sol Duc Hot Springs?
With care. At 122°F Sol Duc 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.