Hot Creek
- Source temp
- 199°F
- Soakable
- No
- Road
- Gravel
- Permit
- Not required
- Dogs
- Allowed
The source runs about 199°F at Hot Creek, a primitive hot spring in Mono County, California, managed by Inyo National Forest. It is not a soaking spring: Inyo National Forest prohibits entering the water; temperatures can change rapidly and sudden geysering is possible.
Closures and warnings
USFS: water temperatures can change rapidly; entering the water is prohibited. No swimming, no fishing, no climbing into fenced areas. As of April 30, 2025.
Soaking
| Development | Primitive |
|---|---|
| Source temperature | 199°F |
| Soakable | No Inyo National Forest prohibits entering the water; temperatures can change rapidly and sudden geysering is possible. |
| Soaking allowed | No |
|---|---|
| Water type | Spring |
Access
| Road | Gravel |
|---|---|
| Road note | From Hwy 395 take Hot Creek Hatchery Road; about 2 miles paved then 3 miles gravel. Winter access may be by snowmobile, snowshoe, or cross-country ski only. |
| Fee | No fees required for this site |
| Hours | Day use only: open 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. |
| Reservation or permit | Not required |
| Managed by | Inyo National Forest |
Rules
| Dogs | Allowed |
|---|---|
| Camping | Not allowed |
Common questions
Common questions
Is Hot Creek open?
USFS: water temperatures can change rapidly; entering the water is prohibited. No swimming, no fishing, no climbing into fenced areas. As of April 30, 2025. Hours: Day use only: open 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
How hot is Hot Creek?
The spring's source runs about 199°F. It is not a soaking spring: Inyo National Forest prohibits entering the water; temperatures can change rapidly and sudden geysering is possible.
Can you soak at Hot Creek?
No, swimming is not allowed at Hot Creek.
How do you get to Hot Creek?
The road in is gravel. From Hwy 395 take Hot Creek Hatchery Road; about 2 miles paved then 3 miles gravel. Winter access may be by snowmobile, snowshoe, or cross-country ski only.
Do you need a reservation for Hot Creek?
No reservation or permit is required.
Is Hot Creek free?
The fee is No fees required for this site.
What are the rules at Hot Creek?
Dogs are allowed and camping is not allowed.
Photos
Nearby
Sources
3
- https://www.fs.usda.gov/r05/inyo/recreation/hot-creek-geologic-site (accessed September 28, 2026; backs manager, waterbodyName, access.hours, access.fee, access.roadNote, access.roadSurface, access.permitRequired, rules.dogs, rules.camping, hazardNote, hotSpring.soakable, hotSpring.soakableReason, swimmerNotes.swimmingAllowed)
- https://doi.pangaea.de/10.1594/PANGAEA.981233 (accessed September 28, 2026; backs hotSpring.sourceTempF)
- https://www.hotspringsguides.com/hot-springs/hot-creek-geologic-site-california (accessed September 28, 2026; backs hotSpring.development)
More: California hot springs