# Mt St Helens Fumaroles, Washington

Mt St Helens Fumaroles in Washington. 190°F (88°C). Hike · Public Land. Lewis County.

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

## Can you soak at Mt St Helens Fumaroles?

No. The water at Mt St Helens Fumaroles reaches 190°F, hot enough to scald.

## Key facts

| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Source water temperature | 190°F (88°C) (USGS record; developed pools are often cooled) |
| Elevation | 6,906 ft |
| Access | Hike · Public Land, 3.5 mi from the nearest road (Climber's Bivouac Road) |
| Land | Gifford Pinchot National Forest, US Forest Service |
| County | Lewis County |
| Nearest town | Morton |
| Coordinates | 46.19800, -122.19700 |
| Best months to soak | December, January, February (largest gap between water and average air temperature) |
| Nearest campground | LOWER FALLS CAMPGROUND, 15.5 mi |

## Soaking safety

**Fumarole: Not a Soaking Spring.** Mt St Helens Fumaroles is a fumarole, not a traditional hot spring. These geothermal features can be extremely dangerous. Boiling water, toxic gases, and unstable ground are common hazards. Do not attempt to soak.

## About Mt St Helens Fumaroles

Fumaroles on Mount St. Helens, Lewis County, Washington, on Gifford Pinchot National Forest ground. The temperature given is near boiling, well into scalding territory. Morton is the town listed, about twenty-five miles. Public access is open on file, and the approach is a hike of three and a half miles from Climber's Bivouac Road, a name that tells you the character of the trip.

Just under seven thousand feet. The climate data shows precipitation past the hundred-inch mark and a deep snowpack, with an average temperature near freezing. Forest Service land in a national forest. The walk from the road is three and a half miles on the record, and the road name points to a climbers' staging area.

Lower Falls Campground, fifteen-odd miles distant, is the one campground on record. Winter months appear on record, but with this much snow the practical window is when the route is clear, and that is something to verify with the Forest Service. Near-boiling steam scalds on contact. Keep back from the vents.

## Nearby

- Nearest city page: [Hot springs near Kelso](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/near/washington/kelso), 34 mi away
- State page: [Hot springs in Washington](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/washington)
- [Green River Soda Spring, WA](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/washington/green-river-soda-spring): 86°F source, Roadside, near Morton, Lewis County
- [Orr Creek Warm Springs, WA](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/washington/orr-creek-warm-springs): 72°F source, Short Walk, near White Salmon, Klickitat County
- [Mount Adams Fumaroles, WA](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/washington/mount-adams-fumaroles): 150°F source, Roadside, near White Salmon, Klickitat County
- [Packwood Hot Spring, WA](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/washington/packwood-hot-spring): 100°F source, Short Walk, near Morton, Lewis County
- [Rock Creek Hot Springs, WA](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/washington/rock-creek-hot-springs): Hot, Roadside, near Stevenson, Skamania County, not a soaking spring, free
- [St Martins Hot Springs, WA](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/washington/st-martins-hot-springs): 120°F source, Roadside, near Carson, Skamania County, primitive pools, pools 102–105°F, free, jul-sep

## Questions

**What is the water temperature at Mt St Helens Fumaroles?**
Mt St Helens Fumaroles has a water temperature of 190°F (88°C). This is considered a hot spring, well above body temperature.

**Where is Mt St Helens Fumaroles located?**
Mt St Helens Fumaroles is located in Lewis County, Washington at 6,906 feet elevation, near Morton. Coordinates: 46.1980°N, 122.1970°W.

**How do I get to Mt St Helens Fumaroles?**
Mt St Helens Fumaroles has Hike road access, with the nearest road being Climber's Bivouac Road (3.5 mi from the road).

**Is Mt St Helens Fumaroles free to visit?**
Mt St Helens Fumaroles has Open access. It is managed by US Forest Service.

**Can I camp near Mt St Helens Fumaroles?**
Yes, Lower Falls Campground is located nearby (15.5 miles away).

**Is it safe to soak at Mt St Helens Fumaroles?**
No, not at the source. The water at Mt St Helens Fumaroles reaches 190°F, which can cause severe burns within seconds. Look for cooled side pools or downstream stretches, and test with a hand before anything else.

## Sources

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