Sulphur Creek Hot Springs

Snohomish County, Washington · Near Darrington
48.2540°N, 121.1700°W · 2,973 ft
99°F 48°F air · Good soaking weather 2,973 ft Open Hike US Forest Service Camping nearby (1.2 mi)
Aerial view of the ground around Sulphur Creek Hot Springs LiDAR bare-earth view of the same ground around Sulphur Creek 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.

Sulphur Creek Hot Springs runs at roughly body temperature, in Snohomish County's Mt. Baker National Forest, twenty miles or so out of Darrington. Open access on record. A little over a mile on foot from Suiattle River Road, with a campground sharing its name about as close. Warm enough to soak, with no scald risk.

Location

Close to three thousand feet, with precipitation around a hundred inches and a snowfall figure above four hundred. Forest Service land; the record shows no fee. The walk is a little over a mile on the record, and snow will be a factor for much of the year.

Sulphur Creek Campground, a mile or so away, is the obvious base. The record favors winter, but Suiattle River Road and the approach carry heavy snow, so ask the Forest Service about conditions. The water is a safe, comfortable warmth. No pool and no fee show up in the record.

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 Sulphur Creek Hot Springs.

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

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

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

Heat Below
105 milliwatts per square meter of heat flow

That's about 1½ times the US average of 65. It's higher than at 54% 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
30°
Jan
29°
Feb
34°
Mar
39°
Apr
47°
May
53°
Jun
60°
Jul
62°
Aug
55°
Sep
44°
Oct
34°
Nov
28°
Dec
Annual Precip: 99.2 in Annual Snow: 440.8 in
Best Time to Visit
December Air 28°F · Water 99°F · +71° contrast
February Air 29°F · Water 99°F · +70° contrast
January Air 30°F · Water 99°F · +69° contrast
December offers 34°F more contrast than August
Current Conditions
48°F
SE 0.0 mph 99% Good soaking weather
Tuesday 53° Low 45° Chance Light Rain 33% precip
Spring is +46° warmer
Wednesday 64° Low 42° Sunny
Spring is +35° warmer
Thursday 66° Low 47° Sunny
Spring is +33° warmer
Friday 64° Low 48° Sunny
Spring is +35° warmer
Saturday 66° Low 48° Sunny
Spring is +33° warmer
Nearby Camping
Nearby Camping
Sulphur Creek Campground 1.2 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
99°F
Warm Hot Boiling
Water Temp 99°F (37°C)
Avg Air Temp 43°F
Above Ambient +56°F
Good soaking conditions September
Access
Open
Road Access Hike
Nearest Road Suiattle River Road
Distance to Road 1.1 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 Sulphur Creek Hot Springs?
Sulphur Creek Hot Springs has a water temperature of 99°F (37°C). This is a warm thermal spring.
Where is Sulphur Creek Hot Springs located?
Sulphur Creek Hot Springs is located in Snohomish County, Washington at 2,973 feet elevation, near Darrington. Coordinates: 48.2540°N, 121.1700°W.
How do I get to Sulphur Creek Hot Springs?
Sulphur Creek Hot Springs has Hike road access, with the nearest road being Suiattle River Road (1.1 mi from the road).
Is Sulphur Creek Hot Springs free to visit?
Sulphur Creek Hot Springs has Open access. It is managed by US Forest Service.
Can I camp near Sulphur Creek Hot Springs?
Yes, Sulphur Creek Campground is located nearby (1.2 miles away).