Orr Creek Warm Springs
Orr Creek Warm Springs emerges at 72 degrees in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest at 2,910 feet elevation, flowing 26.5 degrees above ambient temperature in Klickitat County. The spring sits 182 meters from Forest Road 5603-017, requiring a short walk through dense coniferous forest.
The spring occupies mid-elevation Cascade forest dominated by Douglas fir, western hemlock, and true fir species. Annual precipitation totals 68.3 inches with substantial snowfall of 265.3 inches, creating seasonal snow depth of several feet. The surrounding terrain features steep volcanic slopes, clearings from past forest management, and seasonal creeks feeding the Cispus River drainage.
Documentation of Orr Creek's naming history remains limited, likely referencing an early Forest Service ranger, homesteader, or logging-era figure. The spring has not supported commercial development, remaining a modest thermal feature within the broader Gifford Pinchot National Forest administered since 1908.
Access the spring May through October when forest roads are reliably passable. Winter snow closes higher elevation roads and creates challenging conditions. Adams Fork Campground, 3.7 kilometers away on the Cispus River, provides tent and RV camping with river access. The modest temperature makes this more curiosity than destination thermal feature.
Is Orr Creek Warm Springs worth visiting?
Best for
- Overnight camping trips
Overview Nestled among tall conifers on the Adams Creek Fork of the Cispus River, Adams Fork Campground offers single sites for tent and RV camping, as well as three double sites, with several of the sites sitting along the banks of the river. Adams Fork Campground makes an excellent base from which to explore Mount St. Helens and the surrounding area. Nearby multi-use trails offer a myriad of recreational activities, in addition to trout fishing in the Cispus River. Recreation Part of the Ra...