04.03.2023
Bathe In The Natural Olympic Hot Springs (Hike & E-Bike Experience)
Olympic National Park & Peninsula, Washington
Ready for an e-bike, hiking, and “treasure hunt” journey that ends in luxurious Olympic hot springs? These 21 “seeps” are unmaintained, vary from lukewarm up to 138 degrees, and are located in a lush, fairytale rainforest. This Olympic National Park oasis is seldom traveled due to the wash-out, unmaintained, and known by locals for being a nudist hippie hangout.
While staying in Forks, Washington, we knew we wanted to soak away the hiking aches and pains from the Hoh Rainforest and decompress from tough stints at work. Sadly, our schedule didn’t allow for bathing in the Sol Duc Hot Springs at the resort in Port Angeles. So when we heard about the more hidden and hard-to-get-to natural Olympic Hot Springs, we heard adventure calling our name.
What Are The Hot Springs Like?
There are several hot springs along the trail, and it feels very much like you’ve walked into a prehistoric land where a velociraptor may come running out of the trees at any moment. These hot springs are unmaintained “hot water seeps,” as reported by the Olympic National Park service, who warns they are not tested by the park and may contain harmful bacteria. The park states the water heats up to temperatures of 135 degrees, but it didn’t feel near that hot to us in May. It was warmer than bath water but cooler than a hot tub; surprisingly, it was not gross or slimy like we expected, and the water was quite clear. Bathing suits are optional. 😉
Just make sure to go all the way to the end of the trail, past all the initial smaller hot springs. The best, biggest one is at the end, a short jaunt up the side of the hill. You’ll know it when you see it.
Hot Springs Background
INDEFINITE ROAD CLOSURE: It turns out, the original Olympic Hot Springs trail was a popular 4.8-mile roundtrip mostly paved walking path. However, back in Aug. 2021, the Elwha River washed out the road near the base, making the once-easy-drive up to the trailhead impossible by vehicle. Now, the only way to reach the trailhead is by foot or bike starting in the Madison Falls Parking Lot. First, it’s a 10-mile uphill walk or bike to the trailhead, then a 2.5-mile hike to the hot springs.
So… how can you get there in decent time, and still have any energy left?
Elwha E-Bike Adventures
With only a few hours available, we contacted Elwha E-Bike Adventures and were able to rent electric bikes very affordably. This made the trip SO much more pleasant and saved us hours of walking time. The bikes were delivered to us at the trailhead, and our guide gave us very helpful tips. He told us, “when you get to the old outhouse, you’re getting close.” (Here is the link to their Olympic Hot Springs Adventure Rental.)
Notes: You will want a map and AllTrails downloaded on your phone before you start. Make sure you get good directions from your guide (again, why we recommend Elwha E-Bike Adventures), because the forest re-routing path to get across where the road washed out can be a bit confusing. There is no signage! They met us within an hour of calling right at Madison Falls Parking Lot (super convenient!).
Overall, what was once a well-visited trail now feels more like a ghost town; even the ranger stations are abandoned on your way to the trailhead. It’s eerie and bizarre, but well worth the time and energy.
Largest Dam Removal in US history
Along your e-bike way up the trail, you’ll see the Elwha River Ecosystem Restoration project. Starting on Sept. 17 2011, this was the largest dam removal in US history. Six months later, the Elwha River Dam was gone; Today, the Elwha River once again flows freely from its headwaters in the Olympic Mountains to the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Learn more about the project on the National Park Service’s website here.
Can you do it? Final thoughts about the hot springs...
Yes, it’s a tough journey to reach the hot springs. We thought we could do it in 3 hours, and it took us nearly 6 (hey now, we enjoy our food!) Now it makes more sense why the rental guide asked us how good of shape we were in…). Without the e-bikes, this would be a LONG trek for athletes only. But thanks to the electric bikes, as long as you do some pedaling so the battery doesn’t die too quickly, it’s do-able for average Joe’s who enjoy a moderate walk.
The hardest part is lugging your bike through the forest path at the start of the trail. That said, it’s a STUNNING trail with scenic views all around. Most of the actual “trail” is paved (it’s the old road you used to drive up to the trailhead) until the last 2 miles when you hit the forest line. Going back down is a breeze, with no pedaling required.
LAST PIECE OF ADVICE: Just make sure you don’t do it in the rain (like us), and start earlier in the day (unlike us). If you’re just a bit crazy (like us), visiting the hot springs will be the perfect, unforgettable adventure.
Bathing in these hot springs were our hands-down favorite part of the entire Olympic Peninsula trip. Anyone else been?
Hi there! I’m interested in doing this trip and I’m wondering how much y’all paid for your ebike rental and whatnot?
Hi Brenna, thanks for reaching out. We got ours from Elwha E-Bike Rentals because for an added fee, they will drop off the bikes right to the hot springs trailhead and pick them up when you’re done. Super convenient if you don’t have a big car or extra time! Their rates are available on their website: https://www.elwhaebikeadventures.com/ebike-winter-rental-rates. Everything else was no-cost; just pack your own snacks and rain gear! We hope you have a fantastic trip. It’s truly beautiful and surreal. Let us know if we can help with anything else!