State guides
Palm Springs Hot Springs: Desert Hot Springs Spas and Pools
Last updated October 22, 2026 · 2 min read
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Palm Springs grew around a hot spring, and the town of Desert Hot Springs just to the north sits on one of the best natural mineral aquifers in the United States. Nearly all of it is piped into spas.
Desert Hot Springs
Desert Hot Springs, about 20 minutes north of Palm Springs, has dozens of small spa hotels with mineral water pools at different temperatures. Many sell day passes, the cheapest way to soak. The water is clear and has no sulphur smell.
Downtown Palm Springs
The original Agua Caliente hot spring, sacred to the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, is in downtown Palm Springs. The tribe’s Cultural Plaza includes a museum and The Spa at Séc-he, which uses the spring’s water.
Yucca Valley and the high desert
Yucca Valley and Joshua Tree have no public hot springs, though many rentals have heated pools and hot tubs. For mineral water, drive down to Desert Hot Springs.
Agua Caliente County Park
Not to be confused with the spring in Palm Springs, Agua Caliente County Park is in eastern San Diego County near Anza-Borrego. It has warm mineral pools, camping and a day-use fee.
Tips
Summer days often pass 105°F, so go between October and May, and book day passes ahead at weekends. See the California map and hot springs near Riverside.
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
Are there free hot springs near Palm Springs?
Almost all hot mineral water in the area is piped into paid spas and motels. Day passes at small Desert Hot Springs spa hotels are the cheapest way to soak.
Where is the hot spring in downtown Palm Springs?
The original Agua Caliente hot spring is downtown at the Agua Caliente Cultural Plaza, owned by the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, where The Spa at Séc-he uses its water.
Is Agua Caliente County Park near Palm Springs?
No. Agua Caliente County Park is in eastern San Diego County near Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. It has warm mineral pools, campsites and a day-use fee.