Sespe Hot Springs
- Source temp
- 194°F
- Soakable
- Yes
- Hike
- 16.8 mi each way
- Elevation
- 2,600 ft
- Road
- Paved
- Permit
- Not required
- Dogs
- Allowed
The source runs about 194°F; the soaking pools run 105°F at Sespe Hot Springs, a primitive hot spring in Ventura County, California, managed by USDA Forest Service (Los Padres National Forest, Ojai Ranger District). See every spot on Sespe Creek.
Closures and warnings
Source water about 194F; test every pool before entering. Summer trail temperatures can exceed 100F. High-water crossings after rain. Nearby Sespe Condor Sanctuary is closed through Oct 22, 2027; springs are in Sespe Wilderness access corridors. As of September 28, 2026.
Soaking
| Development | Primitive |
|---|---|
| Source temperature | 194°F |
| Soaking temperature | 105°F |
| Soakable | Yes |
| Water type | Spring |
|---|---|
| Entry | Walk in |
| Current | Mild |
Access
| Hike | 16.8 mi each way |
|---|---|
| Road | Paved |
| Road note | Piedra Blanca Trailhead via paved Rose Valley Road is the longest common approach; Alder Creek (Dough Flat) and Johnson Ridge (Mutau Flat) are shorter alternatives with seasonal road limits. |
| Parking | Piedra Blanca Trailhead for the Sespe River Trail approach; Adventure Pass required. Dough Flat and Mutau Flat for alternate routes. |
| Fee | Adventure Pass $5/day or $30/year (or Interagency pass) at Piedra Blanca; springs themselves free |
| Reservation or permit | Not required |
| Elevation | 2,600 ft |
| Managed by | USDA Forest Service (Los Padres National Forest, Ojai Ranger District) |
| Restrooms | Yes |
|---|---|
| Drinking water | No |
| Picnic sites | Yes |
| Note | Trailhead amenities at Piedra Blanca only; wilderness access is foot or horseback, no mountain bikes. |
Rules
| Dogs | Allowed |
|---|---|
| Camping | Allowed |
Common questions
Common questions
Is Sespe Hot Springs open?
Source water about 194F; test every pool before entering. Summer trail temperatures can exceed 100F. High-water crossings after rain. Nearby Sespe Condor Sanctuary is closed through Oct 22, 2027; springs are in Sespe Wilderness access corridors. As of September 28, 2026.
How hot is Sespe Hot Springs?
The spring's source runs about 194°F. The soaking pools run 105°F.
Can you soak at Sespe Hot Springs?
A mild current is reported here.
How long is the hike to Sespe Hot Springs?
It's a 16.8 mi hike each way. The road in is paved. Piedra Blanca Trailhead via paved Rose Valley Road is the longest common approach; Alder Creek (Dough Flat) and Johnson Ridge (Mutau Flat) are shorter alternatives with seasonal road limits. Parking: Piedra Blanca Trailhead for the Sespe River Trail approach; Adventure Pass required. Dough Flat and Mutau Flat for alternate routes.
Do you need a reservation for Sespe Hot Springs?
No reservation or permit is required.
Is Sespe Hot Springs free?
The fee is Adventure Pass $5/day or $30/year (or Interagency pass) at Piedra Blanca; springs themselves free.
What facilities are at Sespe Hot Springs?
Restrooms and picnic sites. No drinking water. Trailhead amenities at Piedra Blanca only; wilderness access is foot or horseback, no mountain bikes.
Nearby
Nearby
Camping nearby
Public land
Sespe Hot Springs is inside Los Padres National Forest and Sespe Wilderness .
Sources
5
- https://www.fs.usda.gov/sites/nfs/files/legacy-media/lospadres/sespe-hot-springs2007.pdf (accessed September 28, 2026; backs manager, elevationFt, access.hikeDistanceMi, access.hikeDistanceBasis, waterbodyName, hotSpring.development, access.amenities.note, access.roadNote, hazardNote, rules.camping)
- https://www.fs.usda.gov/r05/lospadres/recreation/piedra-blanca-trailhead (accessed September 28, 2026; backs access.parking, access.fee, access.permitRequired, access.amenities, rules.dogs)
- https://doi.pangaea.de/10.1594/PANGAEA.981233 (accessed September 28, 2026; backs hotSpring.sourceTempF)
- https://www.hotspringsguides.com/hot-springs/sespe-hot-springs-california (accessed September 28, 2026; backs hotSpring.soakingTempF, hotSpring.soakable, hazardNote, swimmerNotes.waterType, swimmerNotes.current)
- https://www.fs.usda.gov/r05/lospadres/alerts/sespe-condor-sanctuary-closure-0 (accessed September 28, 2026; backs hazardNote)