Lester Hot Springs
This 120-degree spring sits within the City of Tacoma Watershed at 1,582 feet elevation, emerging 72.3 degrees above ambient in King County. Access is restricted by municipal ownership, keeping this intensely hot thermal feature off-limits to the public despite its proximity—just 210.7 meters from the nearest road.
The spring occupies forested terrain along the headwaters of Tacoma's municipal water supply in the western Cascades. Annual precipitation reaches 73 inches with 175.4 inches of snowfall, creating a densely vegetated landscape dominated by Douglas fir and western hemlock. The protected watershed lands surround the spring with minimal human development, prioritizing water quality over recreation.
Lester Hot Springs takes its name from the Lester townsite, a former railroad and timber community that served the Milwaukee Road's transcontinental line through Stampede Pass. The springs lie within lands acquired by Tacoma in the early 20th century to protect the city's drinking water supply from the Green River watershed. Public access has remained restricted since municipal acquisition.
The restricted watershed status makes visiting impossible without special permission from Tacoma Water. The nearest legal recreation lies 14.1 kilometers away at The Dalles Campground on the White River. Hikers exploring the nearby Pacific Crest Trail should respect watershed boundaries and seek thermal experiences elsewhere in the Cascades.
Is Lester Hot Springs worth visiting?
Best for
- Hot spring soaking
- Overnight camping trips
Overview Situated on the banks of the White River in Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, Dalles Campground offers visitors stunning scenery and access to a multitude of recreational activities within the Cascade region. Scattered beneath a towering canopy of diverse forest, the sites in this campground are widely-spaced and many are at the water's edge.Recreation Hiking and fishing top the list of recreational activities in the area. For visitors wanting a glimpse at the wonders of the...