# Poison Lake, Washington

Poison Lake in Washington. 122°F (50°C). Short Walk. Okanogan County.

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

## Can you soak at Poison Lake?

Only once it cools. The water leaves the ground at 122°F, hotter than any hot tub. It's a short walk from the road. We haven't confirmed whether it has a pool or charges a fee.

## Key facts

| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Source water temperature | 122°F (50°C) (USGS record; developed pools are often cooled) |
| Access | Short Walk, 0.2 mi from the nearest road (Golden Road) |
| County | Okanogan County |
| Nearest town | Oroville |
| Coordinates | 48.90600, -119.45500 |
| Best months to soak | January, December, February (largest gap between water and average air temperature) |
| Nearest campground | LOST LAKE GROUP UNIT, 18.7 mi |

## About Poison Lake

Poison Lake is a lake, listed in the thermal springs record with a hot reading, and it sits in Okanogan County, Washington, a couple of miles from Oroville. The name is on the record and so is the temperature; nothing else much is. Nobody is listed as owner. No access status, no elevation. The reading itself is hot, above soaking temperature, and the name alone is reason to ask before touching the water.

Golden Road passes a few hundred yards away. The record leaves the elevation blank, but the climate on file is the dry kind: twenty-some inches of precipitation and not much snow. Landowner is not recorded. Oroville is the closest town listed, and the place to ask.

Lost Lake group unit, close to nineteen miles away, is the only campground the record turns up. Winter is the listed season, and the light snowfall on file does not argue against it. Take the hot reading seriously and test before you touch the water. Check ownership and permission first; neither is on record.

## Nearby

- Nearest city page: [Hot springs near Oroville](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/near/washington/oroville), 5 mi away
- State page: [Hot springs in Washington](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/washington)
- [Hot Lake, WA](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/washington/hot-lake-2): 122°F source, Short Walk, near Oroville, Okanogan County, not a soaking spring, free
- [Gamma Hot Springs, WA](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/washington/gamma-hot-springs): 140°F source, Backcountry, near Darrington, Snohomish County, primitive pools, parking or permit fee
- [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
- [Kennedy Hot Spring, WA](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/washington/kennedy-hot-spring): 100°F source, Backcountry, near Darrington, Snohomish County
- [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
- [Dorr Fumarole Field, WA](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/washington/dorr-fumarole-field): 194°F source, Hike, near Peaceful Valley, Whatcom County

## Questions

**What is the water temperature at Poison Lake?**
Poison Lake has a water temperature of 122°F (50°C). This is considered a hot spring, well above body temperature.

**Where is Poison Lake located?**
Poison Lake is located in Okanogan County, Washington, near Oroville. Coordinates: 48.9060°N, 119.4550°W.

**How do I get to Poison Lake?**
Poison Lake has Short Walk road access, with the nearest road being Golden Road (0.2 mi from the road).

**Can I camp near Poison Lake?**
Yes, Lost Lake Group Unit is located nearby (18.7 miles away).

**Is it safe to soak at Poison Lake?**
With care. At 122°F Poison Lake 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