Willett Hot Springs
- Source temp
- 108°F
- Soakable
- Yes
- Hike
- 9.5 mi each way
- Road
- Paved
- Permit
- Not required
- Dogs
- Allowed
The source runs about 108°F; the soaking pool runs 100°F at Willett 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
Sespe River Trail has multiple creek crossings and little shade; summer canyon temperatures can exceed 100F. Confirm trail and fire conditions with Ojai Ranger District. As of September 28, 2026.
Soaking
| Development | Primitive |
|---|---|
| Source temperature | 108°F |
| Soaking temperature | 100°F |
| Pools | 1 |
| Soakable | Yes |
| Water type | Spring |
|---|---|
| Entry | Walk in |
| Current | None |
Access
| Hike | 9.5 mi each way |
|---|---|
| Road | Paved |
| Road note | Paved Rose Valley / Sespe River Road to Piedra Blanca Trailhead; then Sespe River Trail on foot or horseback. |
| Parking | Piedra Blanca Trailhead (55 spaces); vault toilets; no overnight camping at the trailhead. |
| Fee | Adventure Pass $5/day or $30/year (or Interagency pass) required to park at Piedra Blanca Trailhead |
| Reservation or permit | Not required |
| Managed by | USDA Forest Service (Los Padres National Forest, Ojai Ranger District) |
| Restrooms | Yes |
|---|---|
| Drinking water | No |
| Picnic sites | Yes |
| Note | Trailhead amenities only; wilderness is pack-in pack-out. California Campfire Permit required for stoves. |
Rules
| Dogs | Allowed |
|---|---|
| Camping | Allowed |
Common questions
Common questions
Is Willett Hot Springs open?
Sespe River Trail has multiple creek crossings and little shade; summer canyon temperatures can exceed 100F. Confirm trail and fire conditions with Ojai Ranger District. As of September 28, 2026.
How hot is Willett Hot Springs?
The spring's source runs about 108°F. The soaking pool runs 100°F. There is 1 pool.
Can you soak at Willett Hot Springs?
No current is reported here.
How long is the hike to Willett Hot Springs?
It's a 9.5 mi hike each way. The road in is paved. Paved Rose Valley / Sespe River Road to Piedra Blanca Trailhead; then Sespe River Trail on foot or horseback. Parking: Piedra Blanca Trailhead (55 spaces); vault toilets; no overnight camping at the trailhead.
Do you need a reservation for Willett Hot Springs?
No reservation or permit is required.
Is Willett Hot Springs free?
The fee is Adventure Pass $5/day or $30/year (or Interagency pass) required to park at Piedra Blanca Trailhead.
What facilities are at Willett Hot Springs?
Restrooms and picnic sites. No drinking water. Trailhead amenities only; wilderness is pack-in pack-out. California Campfire Permit required for stoves.
Nearby
Nearby
Camping nearby
Public land
Willett Hot Springs is inside Los Padres National Forest and Sespe Wilderness .
Sources
3
- https://www.fs.usda.gov/r05/lospadres/recreation/piedra-blanca-trailhead (accessed September 28, 2026; backs manager, waterbodyName, access.parking, access.amenities, access.roadSurface, access.roadNote, rules.camping, access.fee, access.permitRequired, rules.dogs)
- https://www.hotspringsguides.com/hot-springs/willett-hot-springs-california (accessed September 28, 2026; backs access.hikeDistanceMi, access.hikeDistanceBasis, hazardNote, swimmerNotes.waterType, hotSpring.development, hotSpring.poolCount, hotSpring.soakingTempF, hotSpring.soakable)
- https://doi.pangaea.de/10.1594/PANGAEA.981233 (accessed September 28, 2026; backs hotSpring.sourceTempF)