# Gamma Hot Springs, Washington

Gamma Hot Springs in Washington. 140°F (60°C). Backcountry · Public Land. Snohomish County.

- Page: https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/washington/gamma-hot-springs
- Source: Soaking Springs, researched and maintained by Armen Suny
- Updated: 2026-09-14

## Can you soak at Gamma Hot Springs?

Yes. Gamma Hot Springs has natural, undeveloped pools. You pay for parking or a permit. It sits deep in the backcountry.

## Key facts

| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Source water temperature | 140°F (60°C) (USGS record; developed pools are often cooled) |
| Elevation | 5,397 ft |
| Access | Backcountry · Public Land, 8.8 mi from the nearest road (Suiattle River Road) |
| Land | Mt. Baker National Forest, US Forest Service |
| County | Snohomish County |
| Nearest town | Darrington |
| Coordinates | 48.15000, -121.06200 |
| Best months to soak | February, December, January (largest gap between water and average air temperature) |
| Nearest campground | Sulphur Creek Campground, 9.1 mi |

## Plan your visit

| | |
|---|---|
| Type | Primitive pools |
| Cost | Parking or permit fee. No spring-specific permit; Northwest Forest Pass typically needed at Suiattle trailhead |
| Reservations | Not needed |
| Clothing | Clothing optional |
| Getting there | About 12-13 mi one way from Suiattle trailhead, then steep off-trail descent; multi-day backpack, route-finding needed |
| In winter | Suiattle River Road (FR 26) washed out; deep snow |
| Operator | US Forest Service (Darrington Ranger District) |

Checked October 2026. Sources: https://www.hotspringsguides.com/hot-springs/gamma-hot-springs-washington

## Soaking safety

**Very Hot Source, Use Extreme Caution.** At 140°F, the source water at Gamma Hot Springs is hot enough to cause burns. Some hot springs this hot have cooler side pools or downstream areas suitable for soaking. Always test the water temperature before entering.

## About Gamma Hot Springs

Gamma Hot Springs is a remote hot spring deep in the Mt. Baker National Forest in Snohomish County, Washington, about twenty-six miles from Darrington. The water on file is hot enough to scald, right at the top of the hot range. Public access is open, but reaching it is a backcountry trip. OpenStreetMap carries it under the same name.

The nearest road is Suiattle River Road, almost nine miles away, and everything past that is on foot through national forest. Mid-elevation Cascades, average temperature in the mid thirties, snowfall in the hundreds of inches, heavy rain. Sulphur Creek Campground is the closest camping on record, about nine miles out.

Winter months score best on the record; how that squares with hundreds of inches of snow on a nine-mile approach is something to work out before you go. The water will burn at the temperature on file. Open Forest Service land, no fee listed. Chemistry has never been sampled that the record shows.

## Nearby

- Nearest city page: [Hot springs near Gold Bar](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/near/washington/gold-bar), 22 mi away
- State page: [Hot springs in Washington](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/washington)
- [Kennedy Hot Spring, WA](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/washington/kennedy-hot-spring): 100°F source, Backcountry, near Darrington, Snohomish County
- [Sulphur Creek Hot Springs, WA](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/washington/sulphur-creek-hot-springs): 99°F source, Hike, near Darrington, Snohomish County, primitive pools, pools 90°F, parking or permit fee
- [Garland Mineral Springs, WA](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/washington/garland-mineral-springs): 84°F source, Short Walk, near Gold Bar, Snohomish County
- [Scenic Hot Springs, WA](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/washington/scenic-hot-springs): 122°F source, Short Walk, near Leavenworth, Chelan County, primitive pools, pools 111–122°F, $30 day pass, year-round
- [Goldmeyer Hot Springs, WA](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/washington/goldmeyer-hot-springs): 127°F source, Hike, near Tanner, King County, primitive pools, pools 98–111°F, $30 day pass, year-round
- [Baker Hot Spring, WA](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/washington/baker-hot-spring): 108°F source, Short Walk, near Agassiz, primitive pools, pools 100–101°F, free

## Questions

**What is the water temperature at Gamma Hot Springs?**
Gamma Hot Springs has a water temperature of 140°F (60°C). This is considered a hot spring, well above body temperature.

**Where is Gamma Hot Springs located?**
Gamma Hot Springs is located in Snohomish County, Washington at 5,397 feet elevation, near Darrington. Coordinates: 48.1500°N, 121.0620°W.

**How do I get to Gamma Hot Springs?**
Gamma Hot Springs has Backcountry road access, with the nearest road being Suiattle River Road (8.8 mi from the road).

**Is Gamma Hot Springs free to visit?**
Gamma Hot Springs has Open access. It is managed by US Forest Service.

**Can I camp near Gamma Hot Springs?**
Yes, Sulphur Creek Campground is located nearby (9.1 miles away).

**Is it safe to soak at Gamma Hot Springs?**
With care. At 140°F Gamma 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.

## Sources

- USGS thermal springs records, Water Quality Portal lab analyses, OpenStreetMap, Wikipedia/Wikidata, NOAA climate normals