Klickitat Mineral Springs
Klickitat Mineral Springs produces 81-degree water at just 481 feet elevation on state conservation lands, flowing 27.9 degrees above ambient temperature near Dallesport in the Columbia River Gorge. This roadside spring sits merely 11.3 meters from State Route 142, offering immediate access to historic mineral waters within the designated Mineral Springs State Conservation Area managed for permanent protection.
The spring emerges in low-elevation terrain on the eastern edge of the Columbia River Gorge, where basalt cliffs and oak-pine woodlands replace the wet Douglas fir forests of the western gorge. The site receives 30.5 inches of annual precipitation with 35.0 inches of snow, reflecting the rain shadow cast by the Cascade Range that creates distinctly drier conditions than areas just 50 miles west. The Klickitat River flows several miles north through a dramatic canyon system, while the Columbia River lies a few miles south in its massive basalt-walled corridor.
The spring is named for the Klickitat people, a Sahaptin-speaking tribe who occupied territories north of the Columbia River and utilized the gorge's resources for millennia. Early Euro-American settlers recognized the mineral content of the spring, though detailed commercial development history is not extensively documented. Washington State Fish and Wildlife now manages the surrounding area as a conservation reserve with permanent protection status, ensuring the spring and associated habitat remain preserved for public benefit and ecological values.
Visit year-round as the roadside location 11.3 meters from State Route 142 provides immediate vehicle access regardless of season. The modest elevation and 53.1-degree average annual temperature create relatively mild conditions compared to high-elevation Cascade springs. Verify current access policies with Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife as conservation area regulations may restrict certain activities. Oklahoma Campground 38.7 kilometers distant offers developed camping with reservations available for overnight stays in the broader gorge region.
Is Klickitat Mineral Springs worth visiting?
Best for
- Warm-water soaking
- Easy day trips
- Overnight camping trips
Overview Oklahoma Campground is nestled in a lush grove of large hemlock, cedar, maple and fir trees alongside the Little White Salmon River, near the Columbia River Gorge. The campground is flat and is ideal for smaller groups to camp in clusters. Recreation Big Lava Bed is located just west of the campground. The trail takes hikers through a landscape marked by basalt lava formations and pine forest. The multi-use Monte Carlo Trail is also nearby and can be enjoyed by hikers, mountain bike...