Are you planning a trip to Olympic National Park and wondering if Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort is worth a visit? If you love soaking in hot springs and need a refreshing break from hiking, Sol Duc Hot Springs offers a unique and relaxing experience.
Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort draws thousands of visitors annually, offering a mix of history and modern amenities. The resort includes camping, cabins, hot springs, a gift shop, and a restaurant. There is also access to multiple hiking trails nearby.
I’m Jana, and I’ve visited the Sol Duc Valley and the resort several times over the past decade. Keep reading to find out helpful tips and learn what you need to know to decide if it’s worth a visit (Spoiler: it is!).
| Things We Liked | Things We Didn’t Like |
| The resort is clean and everything is conveniently located on the property | Cost: for a limited time the pricing seemed steep |
| No Wifi: able to fully disconnect | Lack of privacy in the locker rooms |
| Amenities onsite: Hot springs, store, massage, restaurant, and gift shop | Kids with young families may dislike the lack of a warm play pool |
| Proximity to all the Hikes | You may not get your full-time with random water checks |
| Hot Springs are included with the price of the rooms/cabins | No public bathroom in Resort Lodge |
VISITING OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK AND NEED A GAME PLAN? CHECK OUT OUR ITINERARY.
The resort is located in the Sol Duc Valley, which is surrounded by the Olympic Mountains, offering breathtaking views in every direction.
Before settlers arrived in the 1880s, the springs were known only to local Native American tribes. In 1912, the first resort, a luxurious 5-star hotel considered a “pleasure and health resort,” opened its doors.
Though it burned down in 1916, subsequent decades brought restorations and improvements, culminating in the current-day resort, completed in the 1980s.
From Port Angeles, travel West on US Highway 101 for 29 miles to Sol Duc Road. Turn Left and continue for 12 miles, the Resort will be on the right.
From Forks, head North on US Highway 101 for 28 miles. Turn right on Sol Duc Road and continue for 12 miles. The resort will be on the right.
HANDY TIP: On Sol Duc Road, a National Park entrance booth will require you to stop and check your park pass, or pay if it is your first destination in the park. If the booth is closed, a National Park pass can be purchased at the resort (this fee does not include the Hot Springs or Resort fees).
DON’T MISS: Which Entrance Should I Use For Olympic National Park? Olympic’s 5 Entrances Explained
HANDY TIP: Save a copy of the directions before you leave. Cell service is limited, and data connection may be unreliable. There is no wifi at the resort. A courtesy phone is located in the main building for guests.
As you drive along Sol Duc Road, there are beautiful pull-offs to enjoy the Sol Duc River. Many different species of native salmon call the Sol Duc River home. During late summer and fall, you may be lucky to catch the Salmon spawning!
HANDY TIP: A trip to the Sol Duc Valley is not complete without enjoying the river, and I recommend budgeting your time to do so. We have often picnicked at one of the pull-off picnic tables on our way to the hot springs and falls. A Quick 15-30 minutes would be enough time to enjoy the views and snap a few pictures.
CHECK OUT: Driving in Olympic: 10 Things You Need to Know
The Sol Duc Hot Springs are not visible from the parking lot. Instead, a quintessential lodge made of timbered logs and a grand covered porch complete with rocking chairs overlooks a grassy lawn, camping cabins, and a main parking lot.
HANDY TIP: Parking is free for all visitors
The front desk, gift shop, and a small convenience store are visible upon entering the main building. Public restrooms are for paying guests only.
Reservations for soaking in the Hot Springs can be made inside at the front desk. During the peak season, expect crowds and a line for reservations during daylight hours.
Soaking in natural hot springs is one of our favorite things to do on vacation and we often seek out hot springs wherever we travel. Sol Duc Hot Springs feels more commercial than natural. It is more akin to visiting a public pool and hot tub than a mountain hot spring, but don’t let that keep you from checking them out.
In my opinion, these Hot Springs have great views of the Olympics. We LOVE evergreens and couldn’t get enough of them while soaking in the mineral pools.
Although it may feel less ‘into the wild’, experiencing the beauty of the valley while in these hot springs is reason enough to check them out. As experiences go in Olympic National Park, you won’t find another one like this, and depending on your expectations, this may be the perfect introduction to hot springs.
On our visit, we planned and made Sol Duc Resort our first stop of the day and arrived when it opened. We were able to book a group reservation for that afternoon. We learned that getting there first thing in the morning was the best chance for a same-day reservation.
There are four different pools. Three hot mineral pools and one freshwater pool. The freshwater pool is not heated and the temperature changes seasonally. Do you love a polar plunge after a hot tub? Then you’ll love it! Otherwise, it’s not comfortable for casual swimming, and none of us in our group chose to stay in the freshwater pool for long.
| Adults (Age 12+) | ~$18.00 (per 1.5 hour session) |
| Children (Age 0-3) | ~FREE (with limited pool access) |
| Children (Age 4-11) | ~$12.00 (per 1.5 hour session) |
| Senior Citizens (62+), Disabled, or Military | ~$12.00 (per 1.5 hour session) |
| Book of 10 Pool Passes | ~$150.00 |
| Towel Rental (Towels are for rent as available) | ~$5.00 |
| Pool | Temperature | Depth | Age |
| Small Mineral Wading Pool | ~99°F/37°C | 6-8″ Deep | All Ages |
| Medium Mineral Pool | ~104°F/40°C | 3′ Deep | Ages 4+ |
| Large Mineral Fountain Pool* | ~101°F/38°C | 3′ Deep | Ages 4+ |
| Freshwater Pool* | ~50°F – 85°F/10°C – 30°C Varies Seasonally | 3′ – 10′ Deep | All Ages |
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The restaurant offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner options and has inside and outside seating. It’s a little expensive for what it is (to be expected in a national park), but I enjoyed eating here to pass the time until my hot springs session. They have soup, salads, and sandwiches as well as some nicer dinner entrees, including steak frites and salmon. There is also a children’s menu. I loved my clam chowder, but the grilled cheese was just ok.
The convenience store and gift shop also have grab-and-go food and drink options that are less expensive, as well as minimal supplies for camping, like ice and ingredients for s’mores.
We have never stayed in the resort’s camping cabins. While touring the resort grounds, we have seen inside the cabins and found them to be similar to a standard motel room. Some cabins offer extra features like a kitchen, and all include private bathrooms.
Online reviews are mixed for the cabins and restaurant and prices are comparable to other National Park lodging. For more details on booking accommodations at the resort, visit their website. Google rating 3.5.
We highly recommend the campground and think it is one of the most beautiful in the Park. However, it is off the beaten path from the rest of the Park, so unless you plan to stay a couple of days to enjoy the resort, I recommend camping elsewhere. You can find more information on camping in Olympic in our article Best Places to Camp In and Around Olympic National Park.
HANDY TIP: Please note that some Sol Duc campsites are booked through the Resort website, and some are booked through Recreation.gov. Camping is open year-round, but off-season sites are first-come, first-served.
Even with the millions of tourists that visit each year, there are many places in the Sol Duc Valley where you can still find solitude and feel like you are the only one in the Park, like at Sol Duc Falls! This most popular National Park trail is easily accessed from the resort by a short drive or meandering walk. The falls (pictured below) are one of many reasons we believe a visit to the Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort is worthwhile.
DISCOVER: 7 Can’t-Miss Hikes in Olympic National Park: A Quick and Easy Guide
| Trail | Description | Miles | Elevation Gain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sol Duc Falls | Old-growth forest to a cascading waterfall. | 0.8 one way | 200 ft |
| Lover’s Lane | Old growth forest. Links resort to Sol Duc Falls. Use Sol Duc Falls trail and campground trail to make a loop. | 6.0 loop | 200 ft |
| Ancient Groves | Self-guided nature trail through old-growth forest. | 0.6 loop | none |
| Mink Lake | Climbs through dense forest to Mink Lake. | 2.6 one way | Old-growth forest. Links resort to Sol Duc Falls. Use Sol Duc Falls Trail and campground trail to make a loop. |
| Deer Lake | Climbs through dense forest to Deer Lake. | 3.8 one way | Old-growth forest to a cascading waterfall |
We think it’s a great option for those visiting the park for the first time, and it is worth doing if you have extra time in the area or are lodging in Sol Duc Valley. Our family enjoyed the novelty of soaking in the Hot Springs and spending time at the Resort.
Although we would not pay for the experience again, we always visit Sol Duc Valley on our trips to the national park and highly recommend visiting the Hot Springs Resort to anyone traveling to ONP. It’s a beautiful resort in the forest and a great place to stay and play!
For those looking for a more rugged experience with the thrill and the privacy of finding hot springs in the woods, we’d say skip these pools and instead enjoy the grounds after your hike or grab a meal at the restaurant. This feels like a tourist trap for this traveler.
If you love an effortless, relaxing dip in mineral pools and prefer the comfort and convenience of developed attractions, you’ll love this experience. For those who don’t mind crowds and tourism, this is a great destination to check off your bucket list and a fun experience that you won’t find anywhere else in the park.
Planning a vacation shouldn’t be stressful. We created a step-by-step itinerary so you can visit the best places at the right times.
OLYMPIC TRIP PLANNER: To read or watch all of our content about Olympic National Park, check out our Olympic Homepage
THINGS TO DO: Don’t miss all that Olympic has to offer, including hikes, Lake Crescent, Kalaloch and Ruby beaches, the Hoh Rain Forest, Hurricane Ridge, and Sol Duc Hot Springs.
WHERE TO EAT: Don’t miss the best places to eat in Olympic National Park
GREAT CITIES TO STAY OR CHECK OUT: Learn about where to camp when visiting Olympic plus things to do in Port Angeles, Port Townsend, Sequim, and Forks.
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO: Find out how to get there, the best time to visit, which is the best entrance, and all about driving around Olympic
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