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California Hot Springs

Throughout California, there are spots where hydrothermal or geothermal springs created naturally heated groundwater that flows to the surface. Some cities like Desert Hot Springs and Calistoga, have capitalized on the presence of their rich hot mineral spring water and created several resorts and spas to treat guests looking for a hot springs experience. But there are also a number of spots out in the middle of the natural environment where you can find a hot spring to take a dip in. Here is a list of California Hot Springs, including a collection of resorts and natural destinations.

California Hot Springs

Southern California Hot Springs

Agua Caliente County Park

39555 Great Southern Overland Stage Route of 1849, Julian, CA 92036

There are three pools here naturally fed by mineral water and a jacuzzi. For non campers, there is a small fee to use per person. There is tent and RV camping available here, plus hiking and additional activities for day use, located near the Anza Borrego Desert.

Avila Hot Springs

250 Avila Beach Drive, San Luis Obispo, CA 93405

Avila Hot Springs is a family friendly destination with a large fresh water pool with waterslides for the kids, and a large mineral spring hot tub for soaking with an average temperature of 104 degrees.

Deep Creek Hot Springs

Trailhead at 5900 Bowen Ranch Road, Apple Valley, CA 92308

Deep Creek Hot Springs is a day use area in the San Bernardino Mountains that can be accessed by a two mile hike. Along the creek you can find five hot pools with naturally fed mineral water. This is a popular spot for skinny dipping.

Desert Hot Springs

Desert Hot Springs is a city in the greater Palm Springs area and there are several destinations here to take advantage of the healing properties of the hot mineral spring water. Here are some of the places offering hot springs experiences:

  • Azure Palm Hot Springs Resort & Day Spa | 67589 Hacienda Ave, Desert Hot Springs – Full serveice resort and spa retreat with natural hot mineral springs
  • The Good House | 12885 Eliseo Drive, Desert Hot Springs – Boutique full service hotel and spa with natural hot spring pools
  • Mi Kasa Hot Springs | 11076 Ocotillo Rd., Desert Hot Springs – An adults only, clothing optional, and 420 friendly resort with mineral water spas, pools, and tubs
  • Sagewater Spa & Hotel | 12689 Eliseo Rd, Desert Hot Springs – Spa and hotels with a pool and hot tub fed with natural mineral spring water
  • The Spa At Sec-he | 200 E Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs – Full service spa fed by an ancient aquifer with hot mineral spring waters
  • The Spring Resort & Spa | 12699 Reposo Way, Desert Hot Springs – An intimate full service resort and spa with naturally fed mineral pools and private outdoor tubs
  • Tuscan Springs Hotel & Spa | 68187 Club Circle Dr, Desert Hot Springs – Adults only resort with two natural mineral water jacuzzies and a large natural hot mineral water pool
  • Two Bunch Palms | 67425 Two Bunch Palms Trail, Desert Hot Springs – Adults only full service wellness resort dating back to 1930s with natural hot springs

Gaviota Hot Springs

Los Padres National Forest, Gaviota near Gaviota Park boundary

This free to the public primitive hot springs area has two pools, one that averages around 100 degrees and another that hovers around 95. Pet friendly and clothing required at this spot (but this rule is not always observed). Also known as Las Cruces Hot Springs.

Glen Ivy Hot Springs

25000 Glen Ivy Road, Temescal Valley, CA 92883

Glen Ivy is the luxury level hot springs experience for Southern California. It’s not free by any means, but the wellness retreat has a number of pools, a mud area, steam room, salon, full service spa, and many other amenities.

Montecito Hot Springs

Near Santa Barbara, off Hot Springs Road and E Mountain Drive

These public, outdoor natural hot springs are tucked in a canyon and require a 3 mile hike to get there and back. These are in an old abandoned hot springs resort that dates back to the 1800s and you can still see some ruins. There are seven pools here to enjoy.

Saline Valley Hot Springs

Death Valley National Park

There are three thermal hot springs here in Death Valley National Park. The tubs are free to use but getting there is the biggest challenge. These are in a remote location that requires 2 to 4 hours of travel on a dirt road, and a 4×4 is recommended. Temperatures in the soaking tubs range from 95 to 107 degrees.

Sycamore Mineral Springs Resort & Spa

1215 Avila Beach Dr, San Luis Obispo, CA 93405

There are a number of amenities here, including 24 outdoor naturally heated mineral spring soaking tubs that can be reserved for private use, each under the trees on the hillside. They also have a larger oasis waterfall lagoon and In-room hot tubs for those staying overnight.

Tecopa Hot Springs Resort

860 Tecopa Hot Springs Road, Tecopa, CA 92389

This seasonal resort sits on the edge of Death Valley National Park and offers a remote natural hot springs experience. There are 5 hot spring tub rooms, a bathhouse, and two private hot spring tub rooms, plus a motel with 3 private hot spring tub rooms. Average water temperature here is around 104 to 118 degrees. Lodging options include the motel, cabins, and a campground.


Northern California Hot Springs

Benton Hot Springs

55137 Highway 120, Benton, CA

There are hot mineral tubs here for soaking in this town that was once a stagecoach stop. There are 12 overnight sites with hot tubs, an Inn with 7 rooms to reserve, a historic miners cabin, and four houses with private tubs at the Inn At Benton Hot Springs. Water can get up to 140 degrees here. All tubs are clothing optional.

Buckeye Hot Springs

Highway 395 at Twin Lakes Road, 7 miles from highway at Buckeye Campground Road

This hot springs pool is on the bank of Buckeye Creek with hot water flowing into the pool from a cliff. There are several pools here ranging in temperature and clothing is optional. There is a steep trail to get down to the springs.

Crowly Hot Spring (Wild Willy’s)

US 395 and Benton Crossing Road, about 2 miles from the highway

A natural mineral pool that flows at 103 degrees all year. There is a large pool and a small pool at this spot, and they are clothing optional and free to use.

Grover Hot Springs State Park

3415 Hot Springs Road, Markleeville, CA 96120

Currently Closed for repairs due to fire damage

This California State Park established in 1959 has a swimming pool complex fed by natural hot springs. The State Park also has a campground, hiking trails, and other amenities.

Hilltop Hot Springs (Pulkey’s Pool)

US 395 at Benton Crossing Road, abut 3 miles from the highway

The concrete tub at this hot springs location is fed by a hot spring by Mammoth Lakes and runs about 110 degrees. This is a popular spot with fantastic views. This site is free to use.

Keough’s Hot Springs Resort

800 Keough Hot Springs Road, Bishop, CA 93514

Established in 1919, this hot springs resort offers the largest natural hot springs pool in the Eastern Sierra with a waterfall cooling system and a hot soaking pool. If you’d like to spend more than a day here, they have a campground within walking distance to the hot springs. The campground accommodates tents and RVs.

Keough Hot Ditch Pools

Highway 395, 8 Miles North of Big Pine

The Keough Hot Ditch Pools are filled by drainage from the Keough’s Hot Springs Resort. There is a number of rock dam pools here that are 80 to 90 degrees in temperature. This is not a managed area and the ditch pools are free to use.

Mercey Hot Springs Resort

62964 Little Panoche Rd., Firebaugh, CA 93622

Mercey Hot Springs is a historic California geothermal spa and resort. They are a full service resort offering a variety of service and amenities. They have a bathhouse, therapeutic hot tubs, swimming pool, and dry sauna. For lodging, they have a number of cabins, airstreams, group houses, tiny houses, and campsites that are available by reservation.

Mono Hot Springs Resort

Edison Lake Road, CA, off Hwy 168 and Kaiser Pass Road

There are more than a dozen natural hot mineral springs here along the banks of the south fork of the San Joaquin River. The hottest tubs here are about 107 degrees, but some are cooler and refreshing on warm days. These natural tubs range in size also, from small tubs that accommodate just a few people, to the swimming pool sized Little Eden. There are remains here from the old bath houses that were built in the area in the early 1900s. In addition to the natural tubs, the resort has a bathhouse with soaking tubs, showers, and a spa with hot mineral water. Lodging here includes rooms, cabins, and a campground.

Orr Hot Springs Resort

13201 Orr Springs Road, Ukiah, CA 95482

Orr Hot Springs Resort has a number of indoor and outdoor tubs, communal tubs, a bathhouse, and a swimming pool. Day use is permitted, but yurts, rooms, cottages, and camping are available for those who would like an extended stay. This resort is clothing optional.

Travertine Hot Springs

Highway 395 just before Bridgeport at the road behind the Ranger Station, about one mile from the highway

There are several pools here, with hot mineral water flowing from a rock face, filling them with water that hovers between 90 and 110 degrees. A small pool near the parking area is very hot, so you may prefer to use the larger pools.

Mammoth Hot Creek
Mammoth Hot Creek

More Hot Springs

Bashford’s Hot Mineral Spa – 10590 Hot Mineral Spa Road, Niland, CA 92257. 6 Mineral baths, jacuzzi, swimming pool, camping, and other recreational opportunities.

California Hot Springs Resort – 42177 Hot Springs Rd, California Hot Springs, CA 93207. Historic resort with a large pool and jacuzzies naturally fed by the hot mineral spring water.

Calistoga Hot Springs – 1006 Washington St., Calistoga, CA 94515. All season hot spring resort with 4 outdoor mineral pools.

Crab Cooker Hot Springs – HWY 395 at Benton Crossing Road near Little Alkali Lake. One small tub fed by pipes that run from the source with water temps averaging 100 degrees.

Delights Hot Springs Resort – 368 Tecopa Hot Springs Rd, Tecopa, CA 92389. Adults only, casual resort with 4 private hot springs bathhouses, a hot springs swimming pool. Day use available. Lodging includes cabins, motel rooms, and camping.

Delonegha Hot Springs – Along Kern River in Sequoia National Forest. 7 pools.

Dirty Socks Hot Springs – Owens Valley, Inyo County. Large, primitive hot springs pool that is not maintained.

Doctor Wilkinson’s – 1507 Lincoln Ave., Calistoga, CA 94515. Full service wellness resort and mineral springs.

Eagleville Bath Hot Springs – Off Hwy 299. Natural hot springs water in three pools with a small waterfall. Generally open to the public for free, but is on private land right off the side of the road.

Elsinore Hot Springs & Lodge – 316 North Main Street, Lake Elsinore, CA. Motel with hot spring fed pools.

Feather River Hot Springs – Natural hot springs right on the river. Use is available by reservation only. Cabins and Camping is also available.

Five Palms Hot Springs – Located in the desert near Brawley, CA, this is a small naturally flowing hot springs pool that is surrounded by palm trees.

Franklin Hot Springs – 3015 Creston Road, Paso Robles, CA. Enjoy a large, Olympic sized pool fed by the hot springs, plus outdoor lakeside tubs for soaking.

Glamis Hot Springs – 10595 Hot Mineral Spa Rd., Niland, CA. Located near Glamis Dunes, this location has 14 hot springs tubs and two pools. Cabins and camping available.

Harbin Hot Springs – 18424 Harbin Springs Rd., Middletown, CA. Eight pools fed by natural mineral spring water ranging from cold to hot, plus additional spa facilities. Reservations are required.

Hunt Hot Springs – Big Bend Road and Hwy 11 in Big Bend, CA. On private property, but owner allows public use. Hot springs pools next to Kosh Creek. A natural pool and some man made pools, ranging from 100 to 117 degrees.

Jordan Hot Springs – Golden Trout Wilderness near Kern River. 14 separate pools, but requires a difficult 6 mile hike.

Mammoth Hot Creek – Mammoth Hot Creek is a geologic site with cool creek waters and boiling pool areas. Swimming is not advised here, and some pools are hot enough to cause serious burns. But it is worth visiting for the beautiful scenery if you are traveling this way.

Remington Hot Springs – Located on the Kern river along Kern River Canyon Road. Very popular spot that has free public access.

Sespe Hot Springs – Los Padres National Forest. Find this spot near Sespe Creek, a natural hot springs flowing into a hot stream, with a man-made pool made with rocks. A long hike is required to access this location.

Sierra Hot Springs – 521 Campbell Hot Springs Road, Sierraville, CA 96126. Hot springs resort and retreat with a hot pool, warm pool, meditation pool, and baths. By reservation only. Lodging includes main lodge, a hotel, and camping options.

Vichy Hot Springs – 2605 Vichy Springs Road, Ukiah, CA. Historic hot springs resort dating back to 1854. Vichy is a 700 acre private reserve with the only naturally carbonated vichy mineral baths in North America.

Wilbur Hot Springs – 3375 Wilbur Springs Road, Williams, CA. A solar powered health sanctuary with geothermal springs and nature preserve. Lodging includes cabins, hotel rooms, and camping. Day use also available.

Wonder Valley Hot Springs – A desert oasis with short term rentals, each with hot springs soaking tubs. Additional tubs available to reserve for day use only.


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Heidi Deal
Heidi Deal is the author of the Newcomers Handbook to Living In Los Angeles & Orange County, and a children’s book author specializing in history and human rights. When she's not writing you can find her solo hiking and going on new adventures with her kids and pup. They love music, dancing, books, nature, fossils, and animals.