Carson Hot Springs is a historic resort in the Columbia River Gorge, offering relaxing mineral baths
Carson Hot Springs Golf & Spa Resort is a historic retreat on the Washington side of the Columbia River Gorge, about 50 miles east of Portland.
According to the resort’s historical account, Isadore St. Martin discovered the hot springs along the Wind River in 1876. He later secured rights to the land and began developing the springs.
St. Martin’s wife, Margaret, suffered from neuralgia, and both believed in the healing properties of mineral water.
She bathed in the hot spring water, which reportedly eased her symptoms.
Word of her experience soon spread, drawing visitors from the surrounding area.
Recognizing the springs' potential to attract paying guests, St. Martin developed a resort with bathing facilities and a hotel. Construction of the historic Hotel St. Martin began in 1897, and the building was completed in 1901.
In 1910, St. Martin died after being stabbed in a fight. His family continued to run the property.
In 1923, a bathhouse and guest cabins were added.
Today, the bathhouse still offers traditional mineral baths, keeping the resort’s history alive.
Bathhouse and Mineral Pool
The bathhouse is divided into separate men’s and women’s sections. A session includes a traditional soak-and-wrap treatment: a 25-minute mineral bath followed by a 25-minute linen wrap to keep the body warm and promote relaxation. Treatments are priced separately from admission to the communal pool.
The indoor mineral-water pool, treated with chlorine, is available to overnight guests at no additional charge. Day visitors can purchase timed pool passes.
The spa’s bathing facilities are available only to guests aged 18 and older.
For those who prefer mineral water without added chlorine, the bathhouse offers unchlorinated water in its individual soaking tubs.
Carson Hot Springs Resort Accommodations
Carson Hot Springs Resort offers standard rooms, deluxe rooms, and suites. Standard rooms in the Cabin building come with either one king bed or two queen beds and include Wi-Fi, a mini-refrigerator, a coffee maker, and cable television. An accessible standard king room is also available.
Deluxe rooms in the Wind River building offer river views and a choice of one king bed or two queen beds. Guests can choose between rooms with a fireplace and rooms with a private balcony hot tub filled with mineral spring water.
For more space, the resort offers two suite options. The King Suite with Hot Tub includes a king bed, kitchenette, fireplace, and a private balcony with a mineral-water hot tub. The larger 1-Bedroom King Suite with Hot Tub features a king bed, a sofa bed, a full kitchen, a balcony hot tub, and a jetted bathtub.
If you would like to enjoy mineral water in private, be sure to book accommodation that specifically includes a hot tub. Check the individual room description before booking to confirm its amenities.
Carson Hot Springs | Facts
Open: Year-round
Development: Resort, golf course, indoor mineral-water pool, private hot tubs in some rooms
Amenities & Services: Bathhouse, spa, restaurant
Road Access: Any passenger vehicle
Clothing: Required in communal bathing areas
Day-use: Yes; check current rates on the resort website
Elevation: 300 ft (91 m)
Carson Hot Springs is located:
- Approximately 50 miles east of Vancouver and Portland
- 96 miles northeast of Salem.
Adventures Nearby
Directions to Carson Hot Springs
-
- Follow WA-14 to Wind River Highway
- Take the exit onto Wind River Highway and drive 1 mile
- Turn right onto Hot Springs Avenue and continue 0.9 miles
- Turn left onto St. Martin’s Springs Road and drive 0.3 miles to the destination.
Phone: (509) 427-8296
carsonhotspringresort.com
We will be having our 55 year anniversary on March 2nd and would like to have a massage and mineral bath.
Hello, this looks amazing – I hope to go explore it soon. Do you know if there are any free hot springs near this location?
THanks!