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Hot Springs in Washington

10 hot springs in Washington with photography planning data — sunrise and sunset azimuths, golden hour by month, Milky Way windows and estimated sky darkness. Snohomish County has the most (3). The darkest skies are at Baker Hot Spring (Bortle 3).

Top hot springs

Olympic Hot SpringsHot Spring
Olympic Hot SpringsClallam County
Hot Spring
Baker Hot SpringWhatcom County
Hot Spring
Gamma Hot SpringsSnohomish County
Hot Spring
Garland Hot SpringsSnohomish County
Hot Spring
Goldmyer Hot SpringsKing County
Hot Spring
Hot SpringsSkamania County
Hot Spring
Moffetts Hot SpringsSkamania County
Hot Spring
Ohanapecosh Hot SpringsLewis County
Hot Spring
Saint Martins Hot SpringsSkamania County
Hot Spring
Sulphur Hot SpringsSnohomish County

Hot Springs by county

Map

How to photograph hot springs

Steam is most visible on cold mornings; backlight from a low sun makes rising steam glow.

  • Keep to boardwalks and marked paths — crusts around thermal features can be thin and the water dangerously hot.
  • A polarizer brings out the colors of mineral terraces and microbial mats.
  • Respect bathers' privacy: ask before including people at soaking pools.
  • Wind direction determines where steam drifts; shoot from the upwind side to see the pool.
  • Condensation forms quickly on lenses; let gear acclimate and carry a cloth.

Season: Winter gives the most dramatic steam; some primitive springs are only accessible in summer.