Washington's Sol Duc Resort: One of America's 'Hidden Gems'
02 Jul 2013 11.10.14 AM
Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort in Olympic National Park has recently been recognized as one of five “Hidden Gem” National Park Lodges inside the US. The special recognition comes from a story in a USA Today article titled “National Park Lodges: Five Hidden Gems.”
Sol Duc is one of two National Park Resorts to make the list within the State of Washington, the other being Ross Lake Resort in Washington's North Cascades National Park. These two “hidden gem” resorts from within Washington's beautiful National Parks join three other unique lodges from around the United States including: Drakesbad Guest Ranch in Lassen Volcanic National Park California, Rocky Knob Cabins in Blue Ridge Parkway Virginia and Triangle X Ranch in Grand Teton National Park Wyoming.
Why Sol Duc Resort Made The List
Sol Duc's impressive, naturally therapeutic hot springs have made it a very popular tourist destination for more than 100 years, and they certainly played a part in helping Sol Duc Resort to make the “Hidden Gems” list again this year.
Sol Duc provides guests with multiple pools to enjoy at the resort. There are three Mineral Hot Springs soaking pools as well as a Freshwater pool. All of the Mineral Pools are drained every evening and cleaned. Then they fill again naturally over night for guests to use and enjoy the next morning. The springs receive their water from a mix of melted snow and rain which seeps through cracks in the sedimentary rocks. As the water passes through the sedimentary rock it mixes with gas being released from cooling volcanic rocks which warms it and fuzes it with minerals and then pushes it through larger fissures in the bedrock up to the surface where it collects to form the pools that Sol Duc Resort is known for.
Each of the different pools at Sol Duc vary in size and temperature.
The Mineral Water Wading Pool is approximately 7-inches deep and the water temperature ranges around 99F / 37C.
The Large Mineral Water Fountain Pool is around 3-foot deep and the water temperature runs approximately 101F / 38C.
The Medium Mineral Pool is also about 3-feet deep and is also the warmest of the pools at approximately 104F / 40C.
The Freshwater Pool varies in temperature by the season and can range from 50F – 85F / 10C – 30C.
Both the Freshwater pool and the Large Mineral Fountain Pool are Wheelchair Accessible.
All the pools at Sol Duc Resort are open 7 days a week and these therapeutic pools are a very popular feature and attraction inside Olympic National Park.
The pools however are not the only thing that Sol Duc Resort can boast about. Even if the mineral pools were not part of the equation, Sol Duc Resort has a lot to offer the National Park guest who is looking for a relaxing, peaceful and rejuvenating vacation.
The Resort is set amidst stately evergreen trees, gurgling hot springs and the unparalleled peace and tranquility of mother nature. Rooms at the resort are intentionally left free from phones, radios and televisions, to help foster and enhance the peaceful solitude of the natural surroundings.
The resort includes a central restaurant building along with 32 guest cabins and a rental house. Each of the cabins include private baths, and some of the cabins include fully equipped kitchens.
There are also professional massage therapists on site at Sol Duc Resort which are skilled in many areas of massage therapy and can provide many different therapeutic services.
Sol Duc Resort has received many great reviews from travelers with especially high marks for it's location, cleanliness and service.
Here's what a few travelers have said about their stay at Sol Duc...
“...The environment was beautiful...cabin was great...”
“...the most fun we've had in years...”
“...the food in the dining room was fabulous...”
“...a serene spot! There are too few of them left...”
“...it was a nice experience to stay in a cabin in the middle of the National Park...”
The Sol Duc Resort is located 12 miles deep into the heart of Olympic National Park. The area is beautiful, surrounded with thick forests, waterfalls rivers and hot springs.
Come for the hot springs and stay for the beauty and serenity of the beautiful natural surroundings.
Discover for yourself why Sol Duc Resort has been chosen as one of America's “Hidden Gem National Park Lodges!” Learn more about Sol Duc Resort by visiting our Sol Duc Resort information page.