State guides
California Hot Springs: Eastern Sierra, Desert and Coast
Last updated October 9, 2026 · 2 min read
California has hot springs from the Oregon border to the Mexican desert, but they are far from evenly spread. The best cluster by far is on the east side of the Sierra Nevada, where volcanic heat from the Long Valley Caldera and active faults feed dozens of springs along US 395.
Eastern Sierra: the best road trip for soakers
Travertine Hot Springs sits on a pale travertine ridge just outside Bridgeport, with pools facing the Sawtooth Ridge. It is free, close to the road and stunning at sunset.
Buckeye Hot Springs, also near Bridgeport, has small rock pools where hot water tumbles down a bank into Buckeye Creek.
Near Mammoth Lakes, the Long Valley Caldera has several free soaks on public land, including Wild Willy’s, reached by a boardwalk, and Crab Cooker, a single concrete tub with a view of the mountains. These are reached by dirt roads that can be muddy or snowbound.
Further south, Keough’s Hot Springs near Bishop is a developed pool that has been operating for about a century.
Hot Creek Geological Site, also near Mammoth, is a beautiful place to see boiling springs in a creek, but swimming has been banned there for years because of unpredictable surges of scalding water.
Northern California
Wilbur Hot Springs in the hills of Colusa County is a reservation-only retreat with flumes of mineral water and a nature preserve. Drakesbad in Lassen Volcanic National Park has a spring-fed pool at a historic guest ranch. In the wine country, Calistoga is known for mud baths and spas fed by geothermal water.
Southern California and the desert
Deep Creek Hot Springs is a hike-in spring in the San Bernardino National Forest. Summer heat on the trail can be dangerous, so start early and carry plenty of water. The town of Desert Hot Springs near Palm Springs sits on a large geothermal aquifer and has many small spa motels with mineral pools. Near Death Valley, Tecopa has a handful of hot springs resorts and a public bathhouse.
The central coast
Big Sur’s famous springs are hard to reach. Esalen’s cliffside baths are open mainly to workshop guests, and Sykes Hot Springs, a long hike up the Pine Ridge Trail, has spent long periods closed after fires and storms. Check the Los Padres National Forest for current status.
Tips for California soaks
- Fire and flood closures are common. Check the national forest or BLM office before you go.
- Summer heat makes desert springs miserable at midday. Visit early or in winter.
- Altitude and snow: Eastern Sierra springs sit between 4,000 and 8,000 feet. Many access roads are not plowed.
- Leave no trace. The free springs along 395 are well loved and easily damaged.
City lists: hot springs near Los Angeles, near Sacramento and near Fresno. For the full state map, see California hot springs.
Springs in this guide
- Travertine Hot Spring180°F
- Wild Willy's Hot SpringsNot recorded
- Crab Cooker Hot Springs167°F
- Keough Hot Springs124°F
- Buckeye Hot Springs140°F
- Deep Creek Hot Springs108°F
- Wilbur Hot Springs153°F
- Drakesbad Hot Springs151°F
Listed California hot springs
The 25 best-documented of 95 California springs in our directory. See all California hot springs on a map.
| Hot spring | Water temp | Type | Nearest town |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alkali Hot Springs | 135°F | Developed | Mammoth Lakes, CA (11 mi) |
| Buckeye Hot Springs | 140°F | Developed | Topaz Ranch Estates, NV (36 mi) |
| Crab Cooker Hot Springs Free | 167°F | Developed | Mammoth Lakes, CA (10 mi) |
| Deep Creek Hot Springs | 108°F | Developed | Lake Arrowhead, CA (6 mi) |
| East Fork Carson River Hot Springs | 149°F | Developed | Gardnerville Ranchos, NV (8 mi) |
| Esalen Institute Hot Springs | Not recorded | Resort | Greenfield, CA (26 mi) |
| Little Creek Hot Springs | 180°F | Developed | Mammoth Lakes, CA (8 mi) |
| Travertine Hot Spring | 180°F | Developed | Hawthorne, NV (37 mi) |
| Volcano Pool | 120°F | Developed | Lone Pine, CA (22 mi) |
| Keough Hot Springs | 124°F | Developed | Big Pine, CA (8 mi) |
| Montecito Hot Springs Free | 118°F | Developed | Montecito, CA (2 mi) |
| Boiling Lake | 199°F | Natural | Mammoth Lakes, CA (8 mi) |
| Hot Spring, Fumaroles 1981 record | 183°F | Natural | Mount Shasta, CA (9 mi) |
| Kabuki Springs & Spa | Not recorded | Resort | San Francisco, CA (1 mi) |
| Wilbur Hot Springs | 153°F | Natural | Clearlake, CA (12 mi) |
| Bat Pool | Not recorded | Developed | Lone Pine, CA (21 mi) |
| Drakesbad Hot Springs | 151°F | Natural | Chester, CA (13 mi) |
| Kern Hot Spring | 109°F | Natural | Lone Pine, CA (21 mi) |
| Wild Willy's Hot Springs | Not recorded | Developed | Mammoth Lakes, CA (11 mi) |
| Campbell Hot Springs | 111°F | Natural | Portola, CA (18 mi) |
| Champagne Baths | Not recorded | Developed | Talmage, CA (2 mi) |
| Dirty Socks Hot Spring | 93°F | Natural | Lone Pine, CA (20 mi) |
| Hilltop Hot Spring Free | Not recorded | Developed | Mammoth Lakes, CA (10 mi) |
| Rock Tub Hot Spring Free | Not recorded | Developed | Mammoth Lakes, CA (9 mi) |
| Tecopa Natural Hot Springs Free | Not recorded | Developed | Pahrump, NV (26 mi) |
Frequently asked questions
Where are the best natural hot springs in California?
The Eastern Sierra along US 395 has the highest concentration, including Travertine near Bridgeport and the Long Valley springs near Mammoth Lakes such as Wild Willy's and Crab Cooker.
Are there hot springs near Los Angeles?
Yes. Deep Creek Hot Springs in the San Bernardino National Forest is the best-known natural option, and there are developed spas in Desert Hot Springs near Palm Springs. See our near Los Angeles list for distances.
Can you visit Sykes Hot Springs in Big Sur?
Access to Sykes along the Pine Ridge Trail has been closed or limited for long periods after fires, storms and damage. Check the Los Padres National Forest alerts before planning a trip.