Visiting the Goldmyer Hot Springs is a truly unique and fun experience, but you can’t just show up. I’ll break down what you need to know before you visit.
What are the Goldmyer Hot Springs?
The Goldmyer Hot Springs are natural hot springs in Washington State, located a few hours outside of Seattle in the Cascade Mountains. These hot springs are somewhat rustic, but the site is maintained by a local nonprofit, Northwest Wilderness Programs.
The source of the springs inside the cave, which has the largest and hottest of the pools. From there, water flows into a small shallow pool, which then has a small waterfall into the coolest of the hot pools. There is also another small pool a few feet away from the lower pool, which is a cold pool. This pool is fed by cold spring water, which allows for a true hydrotherapy experience.
Getting to the Goldmyer Hot Springs
The Goldmyer Hot Springs location is not easy to get to by any means. You have to drive at least an hour (likely longer) just to get to the parking lot. From there you will hike 2 hours to get to the check in. This is truly an all day, or weekend if you plan to camp, activity.
Driving to the hot springs
From Seattle, you will drive an hour east on I90 and take exit 34 past North Bend and head northeast towards Middle Fork trail. Drive past the Mailbox Peak trailheads for another 15-20 minutes until you arrive at Garfield Ledges Trailhead.
Next, take national forest route 110 up the hill. This is an extremely bumpy, unpaved road. I do not recommend you drive this road unless you have an SUV with a high clearance. The drive takes about 30 minutes if there’s no oncoming traffic. Since this is essentially a single lane road, if there are any vehicles coming in the opposite direction it takes time to figure out the best location for passing.
The drive will conclude at the Dingford Creek Trailhead, at which point you will need to walk or bike to the hot springs.
Hiking to the Goldmyer Hot Springs
The hike from the trailhead to the caretaker cottage is just under 5 miles, one way. Overall, this is an easy, relatively flat hike. You can expect this to take about 2 hours at a comfortable pace.
The hardest part of the hike however is once you get to the hot springs. From the caretaker cottage, up to the pools is a nearly vertical .35 mile hike up stairs.
Once you’re ready to leave, you have to do the whole thing in reverse. Plan for 4.5-5 hours for the entire Goldmyer Hot Spring hike.
You can bike the trail instead of hiking, however you will have to leave the bikes at the cottage and hike up to the springs. If you plan to bike, a mountain bike is recommended as the trail is quite rocky in certain parts.
What to expect when you arrive
When you arrive at the cottage, ring the bell for check in. If you haven’t already filled out the online waiver, the caretaker will have forms available. They will check in your group against your reservation, if you do not have a reservation and they have space available, then you will have to pay cash on site.
There are outhouse facilities near the cottage and just before the pools. There are also picnic tables to have lunch or snacks near the house, or outside of the pool area.
At the pools there is a covered open air cabana to hang and store your gear while enjoying the hot springs.
Goldmyer Hot Springs reservations
It is STRONGLY recommended to have reservations for the hot springs. You will be extremely disappointed if you end up hiking 5 miles just to find out there’s no space available, and have to turn around and hike another 5 miles back.
To get reservations there is an online lottery system, which opens 2 months prior to the requested dates. If you want to go in May, you will need to submit to the lottery in March. The lottery opens the first of each month.
If you get a lottery spot, then you will be contacted by the caretaker via email. From there you will need to call them during designated hours and pay with a credit card.
Adults are $30 per day, seniors are $25 and children 17 and under are free.
Learn more about the lottery or fill out the form.
You can also check the Goldmyer Hot Springs calendar for last minute openings.
Hot springs etiquette
One thing you absolutely need to know before visiting the Washington hot springs: these are clothing optional. When I went with friends, about half of the women we encountered were nude, but none of the men were naked. However, that may not always be the case.
For this reason, and to make sure the space is safe and relaxing, there are no cameras allowed at the pools.
Food must be eaten outside of the pool area at the designated tables. You will definitely need to bring lunch and snacks for the long hike in and out.
No dogs are allowed except for pre-approved service animals.
Goldmyer Hot Springs reviews
This is one of the few natural hot springs Washington has near Seattle and definitely visiting at least once for the experience. If you have more flexibility with your schedule, you can opt to reserve an exclusive time slot for up to 8 people on Tuesdays. But either way, this is a really unique experience, and the scenic hot springs are worth the nearly 5 hours of hiking.
FAQs
Where is Goldmyer hot springs?
The Goldmyer hot springs are in the Cascade Mountains, approximately 25 miles northeast of North Bend, WA.
How to get to Goldmyer hot springs?
The easiest Goldmyer hot springs directions are to drive on I-90 to exit 34, then drive to the Garfield Ledges Trailhead. From there, take the unpaved service road 30 minutes uphill to the Dingford Creek Trailhead. After that you will walk or bike 5 miles to the hot springs.
How long is the hike to Goldmyer Hot Springs?
The hike is roughly 5 miles and just over 2 hours each way, or 10 miles and 4.5-5 hours of hiking round trip.
Is Goldmyer Hot Springs clothing optional?
Yes, the Goldmyer Hot Springs is clothing optional.
