# Sherman Crater Fumaroles, Washington

Sherman Crater Fumaroles in Washington. 266°F (130°C). Hike · Public Land. Whatcom County.

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

## Can you soak at Sherman Crater Fumaroles?

No. The water at Sherman Crater Fumaroles reaches 266°F, hot enough to scald.

## Key facts

| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Source water temperature | 266°F (130°C) (USGS record; developed pools are often cooled) |
| Elevation | 9,463 ft |
| Access | Hike · Public Land, 4.3 mi from the nearest road (Middle Fork Nooksack Road) |
| Land | Mt. Baker National Forest, US Forest Service |
| County | Whatcom County |
| Nearest town | Peaceful Valley |
| Coordinates | 48.77000, -121.81300 |
| Best months to soak | February, December, January (largest gap between water and average air temperature) |
| Nearest campground | Boulder Creek Campground, 6.6 mi |

## Soaking safety

**Fumarole: Not a Soaking Spring.** Sherman Crater 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 Sherman Crater Fumaroles

Sherman Crater is a steam field on Mt. Baker National Forest land in Whatcom County, Washington. The temperature given is well above the boiling point of water. Peaceful Valley, twenty-odd miles off, is the town the record names. Open access is recorded, but this is a climb, and the record counts it as thermal because of the vents and for no other reason.

About four miles on foot from Middle Fork Nooksack Road, at nearly nine and a half thousand feet. The climate record is extreme, with an average temperature well below freezing and a snowfall figure north of four hundred inches. Precipitation is well over a hundred inches. Forest Service ground in a national forest, with nothing recorded about a fee.

Boulder Creek Campground is roughly six and a half miles off, the camping the record gives. December through February sit on record as the best months; at this altitude and snowfall that is not a recommendation. Steam above boiling. Stay clear of the vents entirely. Mountaineering skill and a weather window are the real prerequisites here.

## Nearby

- Nearest city page: [Hot springs near Sedro-Woolley](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/near/washington/sedro-woolley), 26 mi away
- State page: [Hot springs in Washington](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/washington)
- [Dorr Fumarole Field, WA](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/washington/dorr-fumarole-field): 194°F source, Hike, near Peaceful Valley, Whatcom 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
- [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
- [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
- [Garland Mineral Springs, WA](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/washington/garland-mineral-springs): 84°F source, Short Walk, near Gold Bar, Snohomish County

## Questions

**What is the water temperature at Sherman Crater Fumaroles?**
Sherman Crater Fumaroles has a water temperature of 266°F (130°C). This is considered a hot spring, well above body temperature.

**Where is Sherman Crater Fumaroles located?**
Sherman Crater Fumaroles is located in Whatcom County, Washington at 9,463 feet elevation, near Peaceful Valley. Coordinates: 48.7700°N, 121.8130°W.

**How do I get to Sherman Crater Fumaroles?**
Sherman Crater Fumaroles has Hike road access, with the nearest road being Middle Fork Nooksack Road (4.3 mi from the road).

**Is Sherman Crater Fumaroles free to visit?**
Sherman Crater Fumaroles has Open access. It is managed by US Forest Service.

**Can I camp near Sherman Crater Fumaroles?**
Yes, Boulder Creek Campground is located nearby (6.6 miles away).

**Is it safe to soak at Sherman Crater Fumaroles?**
No, not at the source. The water at Sherman Crater Fumaroles reaches 266°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