# Lester Hot Springs, Washington

Lester Hot Springs in Washington. 120°F (49°C). Short Walk · Public Land. King County.

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

## Can you soak at Lester Hot Springs?

No. Lester Hot Springs is on private land with no public access.

## Key facts

| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Source water temperature | 120°F (49°C) (USGS record; developed pools are often cooled) |
| Elevation | 1,582 ft |
| Access | Short Walk · Public Land, 0.1 mi from the nearest road |
| Land | City Of Tacoma Watershed, CITY |
| County | King County |
| Nearest town | Riverbend |
| Coordinates | 47.20100, -121.53600 |
| Best months to soak | December, January, February (largest gap between water and average air temperature) |
| Nearest campground | The Dalles Campground, 8.8 mi |

## Plan your visit

| | |
|---|---|
| Type | Private, no public access |
| Getting there | Inside City of Tacoma Green River watershed |
| Operator | Tacoma Water |

Located in the Tacoma municipal watershed where public access is prohibited (WDFW 2019). No source about the spring itself; old resort burned. Treat as no public access.

Checked October 2026. Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lester,_Washington, https://www.historylink.org/File/5128, https://wdfw.wa.gov/sites/default/files/2019-10/green_river_summary_sheet_decision11-1-19_final.pdf

## About Lester Hot Springs

Lester Hot Springs is inside the City of Tacoma's watershed in King County, Washington, and access is listed as restricted. That is the fact that matters. The water reading on file is hot, above comfortable soaking temperature at the source. Riverbend is the town the record puts closest, around twenty miles away.

Only about five hundred feet from a road, by the record, though that road has no name in the record and the land is municipal watershed property with a local conservation designation. Low elevation, Cascade foothills, wet climate, and snow that piles up in winter. The record marks access as restricted.

Do not plan a soak here without confirming permission with the City of Tacoma, since the watershed is marked restricted in the record. The Dalles Campground, about nine miles away, is where the record says to camp. Winter shows up as the best time on file. It is hot enough to hurt if you reached it. Test before touching.

## Nearby

- Nearest city page: [Hot springs near Enumclaw](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/near/washington/enumclaw), 21 mi away
- State page: [Hot springs in Washington](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/washington)
- [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
- [Mt Rainier Fumaroles, WA](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/washington/mt-rainier-fumaroles): 162°F source, Roadside, near Buckley, Pierce County
- [Ohanapecosh Hot Springs, WA](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/washington/ohanapecosh-hot-springs): 122°F source, pH 6.6, Roadside, near Buckley, Pierce County, not a soaking spring, free
- [Longmire Mineral Springs, WA](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/washington/longmire-mineral-springs): 77°F source, pH 5.8, Short Walk, near Buckley, Pierce 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
- [Packwood Hot Spring, WA](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/washington/packwood-hot-spring): 100°F source, Short Walk, near Morton, Lewis County

## Questions

**What is the water temperature at Lester Hot Springs?**
Lester Hot Springs has a water temperature of 120°F (49°C). This is considered a hot spring, well above body temperature.

**Where is Lester Hot Springs located?**
Lester Hot Springs is located in King County, Washington at 1,582 feet elevation, near Riverbend. Coordinates: 47.2010°N, 121.5360°W.

**How do I get to Lester Hot Springs?**
Lester Hot Springs has Short Walk road access (0.1 mi from the road).

**Is Lester Hot Springs free to visit?**
Lester Hot Springs has Restricted access. It is managed by CITY.

**Can I camp near Lester Hot Springs?**
Yes, The Dalles Campground is located nearby (8.8 miles away).

**Is it safe to soak at Lester Hot Springs?**
With care. At 120°F Lester 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