Looking for more beautiful places to explore on the Olympic Peninsula?
Discover an enchanting waterfall in the Sol Duc Valley, jump into Lake Crescent at Devil’s Punchbowl, head to Hurricane Ridge for a hike, or walk to a secluded beach at the Lyre Conservation Area.
LOCATION
Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort is located on Sol Duc Hot Springs Road, 12 miles south of Highway 101. The turnoff for Sol Duc Hot Springs Road is located a couple of miles east of Lake Crescent.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort is a commercial resort located within Olympic National Park. The resort uses natural mineral hot spring water to fill two heated soaking pools and a shallow wading pool. There is also a large unheated swimming pool filled with freshwater. The wading pool is kept at 99 degrees Fahrenheit, making it safe for all ages. The soaking pools are 101 and 104 degrees, and open to guests age four and up. Because of the natural minerals in the hot springs, you may notice a faint sulphuric scent around the pools. Fortunately, we found this was barely noticeable, and it didn’t diminish our experience.
The resort is located in a beautiful area of Olympic National Park near the Sol Duc River. From here, you can hike to Sol Duc Falls, or choose from several other day or overnight hiking opportunities. If you’re up for it, I highly recommend hiking first before enjoying a soak in the hot springs.
In 2021, pool sessions can only be booked in advance in person, either for the same day or for the following day. Plan to arrive early in the day to book a session, especially if you want an afternoon or weekend time slot. Be sure to pay in advance and pick up your wristbands so you won’t have to wait in line again when you arrive for your pool session (lines can be long). I arrived late on a Wednesday morning and easily secured a 4pm time slot for our family of four. By the time we returned to the resort around 3:30, all the sessions were completely booked.
Pool sessions last 1.5 hours. There is a half hour break between each session for staff to test the water quality and clean.
In 2021, the number of guests at each session is limited to 100 people. This means that the pools aren’t overcrowded, which is a real blessing. Our visit felt truly relaxing. Plus, they have showers! Not that this should be a surprise, but if you are camping in the area, take note — this may be your one chance for a good shower. Bring your shower supplies and plan to spend a little extra time in the changing room during or after your pool session. Shower stalls are semi-private, and I had the room mostly to myself when I came in 15 minutes before the pool session ended. Unlimited hot water with no quarters needed… it’s heaven on earth when you’re camping!
While there are lockers in the changing rooms, they don’t include locks. I stuffed a few non-valuable items in one, but took most of our things out to the pool deck. No food is allowed by the pools, but you are welcome to bring water bottles.
That brings up another key point: stay hydrated. Soaking in heated water can be dehydrating, so drink plenty of water in advance and bring some with you to the pool.
Don’t wear jewelry into the pools, as the mineral water could discolor it.
Bring your own swimsuit and towel. If you forget, towels are available to rent for $4, and there is a limited selection of swimsuits for sale. And yes, unlike many “natural” hot springs, swimsuits are required at Sol Duc.
Follow the rules as posted on the swimming deck (no running, etc… you know the drill) and have a wonderful time!
FOOD
Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort operates a restaurant that features a small selection of burgers, sandwiches, and salads. In 2021, they offer only take-out, but you are welcome to take your food onto the outdoor patio near the pools. It’s a beautiful place to enjoy a meal, but be warned: it’s expensive. A burger (beef or Beyond Burger), including fries, is $17. Ouch!
To be fair, operating a restaurant in a place like this is quite costly. Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort makes an effort to source many of their ingredients locally, and I’m happy to say that the results are pretty delicious. We were both tired and hungry after our late afternoon pool session, so decided to splurge on a meal here. I went all out and ordered the crab roll, and it was fantastic, loaded with fresh, sweet crab.
This was definitely not a typical camp meal, but hey –we were on vacation! If you’re looking to treat yourself, a nice dinner on the deck following a soak in the hot springs isn’t a bad way to do it.
CURRENT INFO
For more information, visit the Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort website.
WE WERE THERE
July, 2021, for a 1.5 hour post-hike hot springs session followed by dinner
2021 POOL SESSION RATES
- Adults: $15
- Children 4-11: $12
- Children 0-3: FREE (not allowed in the heated soaking pools)
- Seniors 62+, military, & disabled: $12
- Towel rental: $4
GOOD TO KNOW
Since Sol Duc Falls is located within Olympic National Park, you must present an America the Beautiful pass (or other national parks pass) or pay the $30 entrance fee (valid for up to seven days) when you enter the park. You can also purchase an annual pass at a park entrance station. Olympic National Park has its own annual pass available for $55, but I prefer the America the Beautiful Pass, which covers entrance fees for all national parks as well as other national lands. Check ahead of time to see if you qualify for a free pass — fourth graders and active military do! Fourth graders must print a voucher ahead of time to qualify.
There is a large parking lot at Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort. The lot is available for hikers as well as guests of the hot springs. The local deer are regulars here; keep an eye out for them during your visit. Restrooms are available inside the main resort building. There is also a gift shop and a small snack shop that sells a wide range of drinks. The resort has a full service restaurant as well.
If you would like to stay overnight, consider renting a cabin. Rental costs at Sol Duc include the use of the hot springs. There’s also a campground located just up the road from the resort along the Sol Duc River.
THE LEGEND OF SOL DUC
The Quileute people named the river here “Sol Duc”, meaning “sparkling water.” Long before white settlers arrived, they used the hot springs for therapuetic purposes. A legend tells of the origin of these springs.
Long ago, two dragons lived in what is today called the Olympic Peninsula. One, to the east, made his home in the Sol Duc Valley, while the other lived in the Elwha Valley to the west. Neither knew of the other’s existence.
All that changed one day with a chance encounter in the forest. Enraged by the thought that another dragon was infringing on their territory, the dragons began a long, bitter battle that raged for years.
Eventually, the dragons had to admit they were so evenly matched that neither could win the battle. Filled with shame, they each slunk away to their respective caves, where they cried hot, steaming tears of regret. To this day, the dragons cry, feeding both the Sol Duc and Olympic Hot Springs (located in the Elwha Valley) with their tears.
By the way, it is possible to visit the Olympic Hot Springs in the Elwha Valley, but it takes some doing. After the removal of the dams on the Elwha River, a washout in 2017 led to the closure of the road leading into the Elwha Valley. You can still hike along the road, but this means that what was once a 2.5-mile one-way hike to the hot springs is now an 11-mile one-way hike. In other words, they aren’t exactly easy to access.
The Olympic Hot Springs were never built into commercial pools like Sol Duc. Instead, local rocks were used to create a group of natural pools in the forest. Michael and I hiked to these hot springs many years ago. At the time, they were lovely and quiet, a hidden retreat deep in the forest. I hope they are still that way for those who encounter them today.
CORONAVIRUS CONCERNS
This information is subject to change, so please visit the Olympic National Park & Forest website for Covid-19 updates.
During our visit in the summer of 2021, a maximum of 100 guests were allowed at each pool session. This may sound like a lot, but as you can tell from the photos below, there was plenty of space for pool-goers to spread out. The heated soaking pools are the most popular spots, but people were generally good about not crowding in too tightly. People frequently move to different pools or take a break altogether, so it wan’t difficult to find an available spot to soak when we wanted a turn.
As of this writing, masks are required for all guests inside federal buildings, and this includes Sol Duc Resort. This includes the changing rooms, which are fairly small. It may seem awkward, but hopefully all guests will continue to wear masks while changing and showering. Masks are not required outdoors.
Of course, this is the situation during pandemic times. What will it be like once these restrictions are removed? Time will tell, but I understand that in the past the hot springs were often quite crowded. Now may be a good time to visit, knowing that the number of guests is strictly limited. On the other hand, it’s also understandable that some people may not feel comfortable visiting at this time. I hope this information helps you make an informed decision about whether or not now is the right time for you to visit. If you go, please follow all guidelines to help ensure that you, your fellow guests, and the Sol Doc Hot Springs Resort staff stay healthy and safe.
HIGHLIGHTS
Relaxing in natural mineral hot springs water surrounded by tree-covered hills — what could be better? While Sol Duc Hot Springs is undeniably a commercial resort, it’s still a world apart from everyday life. For visitors to Olympic National Park, it’s the place to splurge a little and soak in the natural beauty of the area.
THE KIDS’ TAKE
The kids loved visiting Sol Duc Hot Springs, although unlike their parents, they tended to favor the unheated swimming pool over the heated pools! This meant we spent more time in the swimming pool than anticipated. Fortunately, with two parents we could take turns watching the kids while the other parent soaked in the warm water. The kids spent some time in the heated pools, too. With the hottest pool at 104 degrees Fahrenheit, kids age four and up are welcome in any of them (for a limited time, of course).
WHILE YOU’RE HERE
Not only is Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort a place to relax and unwind, it’s also where you’ll find the trailhead to hike the Lover’s Lane loop to Sol Duc Falls. As noted above, the hot springs are a great way to treat yourself post-hike. Stop by the resort first to make a reservation for a hot springs session later that day. There’s a lovely campground near the resort, an ideal home base if you want to try some of the area’s longer hikes. Sol Duc Resort also rents cabins. One benefit of staying in a Sol Duc cabin? Access to the hot springs is included in the price!
Of course, there is much to see and do here in Olympic National Park! Want to swim in a gorgeous lake? Head to Devil’s Punchbowl on Lake Crescent. Also on Lake Crescent, Marymere Falls is a great short hike. Near Port Angeles, the drive up to Hurricane Ridge is stunning, and so are the ridgetop hikes. Heading to the coast? Check out the incredible Rialto Beach. For a low-key option, venture outside of Olympic National Park to the Lyre Conservation Area for a forested walk to a quiet beach on the Strait of Juan de Fuca.
Our Experience
I’ve long wanted to visit Sol Duc Hot Springs, and our recent trip to the Olympic Peninsula was the perfect time to go. After closing in 2020 due to coronavirus, the hot springs had reopened, but with restrictions in place limiting the number of guests. Was this our chance to enjoy the hot springs without the crowds? That sounded just fine by me!
We arrived at Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort shortly past 11am. I immediately went inside to book a time slot for our family. We planned to hike the Lover’s Lane loop to Sol Duc Falls before our pool time, and the staff member at the front desk helpfully advised us on which session would work best for our plans. Paid in full and with wristbands in hand, I met up with the rest of the family to prepare for our hike.
Upon our return from Sol Duc Falls, Michael and J eagerly threw their hiking backpacks into the car. Without further ado, they headed straight for the changing rooms. At 4:00, we were on the pool deck. We stashed our stuff on a bench, then sank gratefully into the heated water of the fountain pool. At 101 degrees Fahrenheit, this pool is perfect — not too hot, not too cold, but juuust right!
Before long, the kids gravitated toward the swimming pool. It was still warm enough that a swim in the unheated pool felt refreshing. Then again, we were lucky to visit on a warm day. I imagine that in cooler weather this pool could feel downright frigid! Naturally, the kids had a blast playing in the big pool, and it was hard to convince them to leave. Michael and I wound up taking turns staying in the pool with the kids, giving the other parent a break sit and soak. We convinced the kids to join us ifrom time to time, but after a quick dip to warm up, they headed right back to the swimming pool.
As the afternoon wore on, a shadow slowly crept across the pool, and by 5pm it was completely shaded. On the plus side, this meant we didn’t sunscreen. On the downside, the water started to feel pretty chilly. Around 5:15, I headed back into the changing room to take a shower (ahhh, such bliss in the middle of week spent camping!). By 5:30 I was back on the deck, passing the shower supplies on to Michael and the boys so they could take their turn.
While I waited for the boys to finish, I browsed the resort gift shop, then went to check out the restaurant menu. Hmmm, it was pricey… but they did have a crab roll on the menu. By now it was 6pm, and I was undeniably hungry after a day spent hiking and lounging in the pool. Who knew that lounging could induce such cravings? Despite the price, a poolside meal held definite appeal. Besides, they had crab rolls!
So it was that we finished our time at Sol Duc with a lovely meal on the patio, totally relaxed and content (the crab roll, by the way, was excellent). Who says you can’t enjoy a little luxury on a camping trip? For us, splurging at Sol Duc was worth the price, and a fabulous new way to experience the wonders of Olympic National Park.
