California Hot Springs
California has 22 named hot springs on record across 15 counties. By development: 10 primitive, 4 developed, and 8 resorts. 4 hot springs are free to visit. 7 need a hike and 1 needs a high-clearance road. 1 is too hot, closed, or on private land to soak in. 17 have a closure or hazard note on file.
- No closure on file
- Closed, or no soaking or swimming
No hot springs match.
| Name | Temperature | Development | Access | Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 104°F pool | Development Resort | Access – | Fee Adult all-day pass $29; child (15 and under) and senior (55+) $26; morning or after-5 p.m. $18 | Status Closure or warning on file | |
| 100-108°F pools | Development Primitive | Access gravel road | Fee Free day use at the spring; Buckeye Campground nearby is $24/night plus $6 extra vehicle | Status Closure or warning on file | |
| 108°F source | Development Primitive | Access 2.5 mi hike, gravel road | Fee Bowen Ranch private crossing fee (landowner-set); BLM alternates have no FS day-use fee listed | Status Closure or warning on file | |
| 122°F source | Development Resort | Access – | Fee Healing Arts Day Pass starts at $380 (includes service, meals, and hot springs access); workshop guests book separately | Status Closure or warning on file | |
| 95-115°F pools | Development Primitive | Access 1 mi hike (round trip), paved road | Fee Gaviota State Park vehicle day use $10 | Status No closure on file | |
| 65-104°F pools | Development Resort | Access – | Fee Day pass (Taking the Waters) starting at $95; reservations required | Status Closure or warning on file | |
| 102-104°F pools | Development Developed | Access paved road | Fee Vehicle day use $8 ($7 seniors 62+); pool $10 adult / $5 child 16 and under | Status Closure or warning on file | |
| 98-115°F pools | Development Resort | Access – | Fee Membership and reservation required; about $15/month or $35/year for guests 18+ | Status No closure on file | |
| 199°F source | Development Primitive | Access gravel road | Fee No fees required for this site | Status Closure or warning on file | |
| 92-102°F pools | Development Resort | Access – | Fee Hotel guests; limited day pool passes $50 with booked 50-min spa service (not Saturdays) | Status No closure on file | |
| 94-104°F pools | Development Primitive | Access 12 mi hike (round trip) | Fee Free day use; free overnight wilderness permit required for overnight stays in Golden Trout Wilderness | Status Closure or warning on file | |
| 86-104°F pools | Development Developed | Access paved road | Fee Adult day $14; child (3-12) $10; age 2 and under $5 | Status No closure on file | |
| 85-112°F pools | Development Developed | Access gravel road | Fee Public riverside pools free; resort bathhouse day use from about $25 adult all-day (cabin guests included) | Status Closure or warning on file | |
| – | Development Resort | Access – | Fee Day use $50 per person; reservation and full prepayment required | Status Closure or warning on file | |
| 110°F source | Development Developed | Access high clearance road | Fee Death Valley NP entrance: $30 per private vehicle for 7 days (passes $15-$30 by entry type) | Status Closure or warning on file | |
| 105°F pool | Development Primitive | Access 16.8 mi hike, paved road | Fee Adventure Pass $5/day or $30/year (or Interagency pass) at Piedra Blanca; springs themselves free | Status Closure or warning on file | |
| – | Development Primitive | Access 9.5 mi hike | Fee VWA lists Big Sur Station parking at $10 per calendar day when access is legal | Status Closure or warning on file | |
| 100-140°F pools | Development Resort | Access gravel road | Fee Summer guest season by reservation only; day-visit pricing published seasonally on SFZC day-visit pages | Status Closure or warning on file | |
| 180°F source | Development Primitive | Access gravel road | Fee Free; no entry or parking fee; no permit required for general day use | Status Closure or warning on file | |
| 98-109°F pools | Development Resort | Access – | Fee Day use weekdays $65.49; weekends and holidays $72.15 (includes hot springs, preserve trails, kitchen, sauna, pool) | Status No closure on file | |
| 98-102°F pools | Development Primitive | Access 0.3 mi hike, gravel road | Fee Free; no reservation required | Status Closure or warning on file | |
| 100°F pool | Development Primitive | Access 9.5 mi hike, paved road | Fee Adventure Pass $5/day or $30/year (or Interagency pass) required to park at Piedra Blanca Trailhead | Status Closure or warning on file |
Photo credits (19)
- Avila Hot Springs: CA Dept of Mines, Public domain
- Deep Creek Hot Springs: Richard Ellis (Eeekster), CC BY 3.0
- Esalen Hot Springs: John Wiley, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Gaviota Hot Springs: Don Barrett, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Grover Hot Springs: Ken Lund, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Harbin Hot Springs: U.S. Government Printing Office, Public domain
- Hot Creek: TravelingOtter, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Indian Springs: Sarah Stierch, CC BY 4.0
- Jordan Hot Springs: David Bakken, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Keough's Hot Springs: LADWP, Public domain
- Mono Hot Springs: Duanerh, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Orr Hot Springs: Sarah Stierch, CC BY 4.0
- Saline Valley Hot Springs: Bureau of Land Management, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Sespe Hot Springs: Chris M Morris, CC BY 2.0
- Sykes Hot Springs: Andy Mai, CC0
- Travertine Hot Springs: noelwaters, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Wilbur Hot Springs: Sanfranman59, Public domain
- Wild Willy's Hot Springs: blmcalifornia, Public domain
- Willett Hot Springs: Nudeturtle, CC BY-SA 3.0
Common questions
Where are the hot springs in California?
22 named hot springs are on record: Avila Hot Springs, Buckeye Hot Springs, Deep Creek Hot Springs, Esalen Hot Springs, Gaviota Hot Springs, Glen Ivy Hot Springs, and 16 more.
Are there free hot springs in California?
Yes. No fee on record for Buckeye Hot Springs, Jordan Hot Springs, Travertine Hot Springs, and Wild Willy's Hot Springs. Each page cites its source.
What is the hottest hot spring in California?
Of the hot springs on record here with a measured source temperature, Indian Springs runs hottest, at about 230°F at the source.
Which hot springs in California are clothing optional?
Clothing optional, per a stated rule: Harbin Hot Springs, Orr Hot Springs, Saline Valley Hot Springs, and Wilbur Hot Springs.
Are any hot springs in California closed?
A closure or hazard note is on file for Avila Hot Springs, Buckeye Hot Springs, Deep Creek Hot Springs, Esalen Hot Springs, Glen Ivy Hot Springs, Grover Hot Springs, and 11 more. Each page has the dated detail.
