Natural hot spring · California
Boiling Lake
Mono County, California · 7.9 miles east of Mammoth Lakes, CA
Also searched as:Boiling Springs Hot Springs
Last updated
- Type
- Natural Natural hot spring
- Water temperature
- 199°F (93°C) at the source
- Cost
- Not recorded
- Hours or season
- Not recorded
- Clothing
- Not recorded
- Nearest town
- Mammoth Lakes, CA (8 mi / 13 km)
- Coordinates
- Pools or sources
- 9
- Undeveloped source: no staff, no facilities, and no maintained access. Conditions change.
- Scalding: recorded at 50°C or above. Water at this temperature causes burns in seconds.
About Boiling Lake
Boiling Lake is a natural hot spring in Mono County, California, about 7.9 miles east of Mammoth Lakes, CA. The nearest large city is Clovis, CA, roughly 75 miles away as the crow flies.
The temperature at the source has been recorded at 199°F (93°C). That puts it in the "too hot to enter at the source" range. Water this hot can burn skin quickly. Soaking pools are usually cooled by mixing with creek or tap water. Never enter the source itself.
It is a natural spring with little or no development. Some natural springs have rock pools you can sit in, while others are too hot, too shallow or on land where soaking is not allowed.
The site has 9 mapped pools or sources within about 500 meters of each other, including Hot Creek Geological Site.
Water temperature
Too hot to enter at the source. Water this hot can burn skin quickly. Soaking pools are usually cooled by mixing with creek or tap water. Never enter the source itself.
Readings come from the NOAA thermal springs list, OpenStreetMap mappers, and other public sources. Temperatures change with season, flow and pool design. See our soak temperature guide for safe soaking times.
Map and directions
Red marks Boiling Lake. Other colored dots are nearby springs in this directory. Coordinates: 37.66152, -118.82875.
Getting there
- Nearest town: Mammoth Lakes, CA. The spring is about 7.9 miles (13 km) east of town in a straight line.
- Nearest large city: Clovis, CA, about 75 miles (121 km) in a straight line.
- Planning from a city? See hot springs near Fresno, CA.
- Use the directions buttons above for a driving route. Final roads to many springs are unpaved, seasonal or closed in winter, so check road conditions before you go.
Weather forecast
Live forecast for this exact spot from the US National Weather Service.
Hot springs near Boiling Lake
- Rock Tub Hot Spring Not recorded
- Crab Cooker Hot Springs 167°F
- Little Creek Hot Springs 180°F
- Hilltop Hot Spring Not recorded
- Alkali Hot Springs 135°F
- Wild Willy's Hot Springs Not recorded
Before you go
- Check the operator, land manager or park website for current hours, fees and closures. Details in any directory can go out of date.
- Pack out everything you bring, including food scraps. Do not use soap in natural pools.
- Keep your head above water. Warm fresh water can carry Naegleria fowleri, a rare but deadly amoeba that enters through the nose.
- Drink water, limit soaks to 10 to 20 minutes at a time in very hot water, and skip alcohol.
- Read our hot spring etiquette guide and safety guide.
Frequently asked questions
How hot is Boiling Lake?
The temperature at the source has been recorded at 199°F (93°C), which is too hot to enter at the source. Water this hot can burn skin quickly. Soaking pools are usually cooled by mixing with creek or tap water. Never enter the source itself.
Where is Boiling Lake?
Boiling Lake is in Mono County, California, about 7.9 miles east of Mammoth Lakes, CA. The GPS coordinates are 37.6615, -118.8287.
Can you soak at Boiling Lake?
The source is too hot to enter safely. Natural springs vary. Some have pools built by visitors, others are too hot or shallow, and some are on private land or in areas where bathing is banned. Check local rules and test the water before you get in.
What hot springs are near Boiling Lake?
The closest listed spring is Rock Tub Hot Spring, about 1.5 miles southeast. Crab Cooker Hot Springs is about 1.6 miles away.
What should I bring to a hot spring?
Water to drink, a towel, sandals with grip, a bag to pack out trash, and warm layers for after your soak. At primitive springs bring a headlamp and tell someone where you are going.
Sources and corrections
This listing combines OpenStreetMap, the NOAA NCEI Thermal Springs List. Data last refreshed August 2026. Source 1 Source 2 Source 3 Source 4
Visited recently? Send a correction, such as a temperature reading, fee, closure or photo. If you look after this spring and want it removed, see removal requests.