Hot Springs
Japanese Map Symbol for Hot Springs
"Onsen"
Who doesn't love a good soak to start or end a long day
of roaming around and exploring the back country?
I've sought out many hot springs over the years and I've visited many of them numerous times. The WILD springs are my favorite, but they're usually in very remote areas and with few exceptions, they've all been worth the effort to get to them.
Here's some Hot Spring Etiquette
Here's some Hot Spring Etiquette
Here's a log/review of the springs I've visited:
NEVADA
Trego Hot Springs
Black Rock Desert NCA
Uneveloped
Clothing Optional/Pets Okay
My Rating: 3/5
Review: This is a very well used hot spring located on the east side of the playa in the Black Rock Desert. It's on the northwest side of Old Razorback Mtn. and an active rail line runs just a few feet from the springs. Camping in allowed at least 300 feet from the springs, but no one pays any attention to the law and clearly marked signs. There doesn't appear to be any enforcement of this law by the BLM either. This is a popular spot for Burning Man "Burners" to hang out during the festival, but it get's a lot of use year-round. The springs can also be accessed by taking Jungo Rd., north, which is just south of Gerlach.
The springs are in a beautiful setting, but I only rated it a 3/5 because of the flagrant camping violations and rowdy atmosphere that one has to deal with when visiting. It's well worth a stop and soak if even only to check it off of you list.
Steamboat Hot Springs
Reno, NV
Developed
Clothing Required in Public Areas/No Pets
My Rating: 1/5
Carson Hot Springs Resort
Carson City, NV
Developed, 100 to 104 degree pools
Clothing Required/No Pets
My Rating: 2.5/5
Review: I first visited this hot spring on New Year's Day 2015 and it was a brutal 12 degrees outside. The place was very busy with a lot of skiers ending their day at the springs and it had a relaxing vibe to it. Plus, their customer service was excellent and very friendly.
They're reaching when they use the word "resort" in their name, but it's a nice facility. It's affordable, has a nice changing room and has a large pool that's around 100 degrees and a couple of smaller tubs that are kept hotter.
Potts/Monitor Valley Hot Spring
40 miles +/- Southeast of Austin NV
Clothing Optional/Dogs Allowed
My Rating: 5/5
Review: this is one of my favorite hot springs, mainly because it's so remote. In fact, to get to this spring you have to pass the sign marking the geographic center of Nevada. Camping is not allowed right at the spring, but there's ample dispersed camping within walking distance of the spring.
There are a couple of plastic pipes that carry the hot water from the source and they run into a large pasture area. When you arrive, you simply plug the drain hole in the tub and lift the pipes so that the water spills into the tub, which a big stock tank. Some thoughtful people have built a deck around the tub and even added a little bench to sit and change.
If you visit Potts, take plenty of drinking water, gasoline and make sure your tires are in good shape. There are NO services nearby, but that's part of the charm. Potts is about 40 miles from historic Belmont, NV, so while you're in the area, you should plan to visit it too.
A visit in 2014
2014
At the geographic center of Nevada
Here's what it looks like in 2016
Diana's Punch Bowl (Hot Spring)
10 miles +/- South of Potts/Monitor Valley Hot Spring, NV
Wild
Inaccessible to People
My Rating: 5/5 (for its beauty)
Review: Diana's Punch Bowl (a.k.a. Devil's Cauldron) is very, very hot spring that lies at the bottom of a really big hole in the ground. It's too hot to bathe in, but beautiful to look at.
Kyle Hot Springs
10 miles +/- East of Unionville, NV
Wild
Clothing Optional/Dogs Allowed
My Rating: 1/5
Review: I trekked out to Kyle Hot Springs one day while I was camping in Unionville, NV, and I had some high hopes. I was really looking forward to a nice, relaxing soak in the middle of nowhere after camping for a couple of days. When we arrived at Kyle, it reminded me of Chernobyl. It was desolate and the whole area was littered with trash and broken glass. There were two aqua green, plastic stock tanks that held the "hot" water, which had an oily tan scum floating on top of it. If that wasn't enough, there was a very strong sulfur smell emanating from the tepid water. I don't know what I was thinking though because I still took a soak (mainly just to say I did). I understand that it's not always this bad and I will probably re-visit Kyle if I'm in the area, but I would definitely NOT make a special trip here.
A Secret Hot Spring
Central Nevada
Wild, 101 degrees
Clothing Optional/Dogs Allowed
My Rating: 4/5
I know it's kind of petty of me to list a hot spring, but keep its name and location a secret, but it's out of respect to the person who first turned me onto the spring. He didn't put the details out and so I had to investigate and research the Internet for quite a while.
There are two springs in this area, about 50 yards apart from one another and they each have some of the best views a soaker could ask for. The only reason I didn't rate it a 5/5 was because on my only visit there, there were a ton of biting flies. There were the large horseflies and the small mini-flies that bite damn near as hard. I'm sure the flies were there because of the ample amount of horse (and probably cow) shit in the area.
At night one is treated to a herd or two of wild horses coming in to fill their water tanks and I'm sure a lot of other wildlife passes by in the night.
I plan to visit again in the shoulder seasons, when, hopefully, the flies will be all but gone.
Spencer's Hot Springs
Approx. 25 miles ESE of Austin, Nev.
Wild, 101 degrees
Clothing Optional/Dogs Allowed
My Rating: 2.5/5
Review: In spite of my 2.5/5 rating, Spencer's Hot Springs are nice, but they're just overused and even abused. One of the problems with Spencer's is that it's conveniently located right off of Highway 50, east of Austin, NV, and everyone knows about them.
The springs bear the marks of the "party crowd" as the place has a beaten down look about it. With a little love, the place could be awesome again. If you go, stow your stuff at night as I had several wild donkeys and a whole herd of wild horses come down to the springs after dark. They made a ton of noise till the wee hours of the morn. (it was awesome) and they will probably get into your stuff if you leave it out.
CALIFORNIA
Saline Valley Hot Springs, Death Valley N.P.
Eastern Death Valley National Park
Rustically Developed, Pool Vary in Degrees
Clothing Optional/Dogs Allowed
My Rating: 5/5
Review: This is an awesome gathering of hot spring pools located in remote eastern Death Valley National Park. There is a full time camp host on site and he lives there year round. Being in Death Valley, fall through spring are the best times to visit the springs as the heat is intense in the summer. These springs are an exception the rule of the National Park Service in that this place is clothing optional (nudity is the norm here).
One has to be determined to visit Saline Valley H.S. because it is in a very remote location and is only accessible by a few roads that are commonly washed out. Even when the roads are "passable," you can expect hours of driving on washboard roads at 5-10 mph. You should only attempt to visit these springs in a reliable vehicle with good tires and a good spare tire or two.
The springs and surrounding facilities are kept in immaculate condition by the many die hard lovers of the site. A lot of up to date information can be gleaned from Saline Valley Talk. Always visit the site prior to going and see what supplies they might need. They usually always need bleach, toilet paper, firewood, brooms, etc. You're encourage to be an active participant of these springs and not just a visitor, so plan to pitch in on a few service projects to help keep it the magical place it is.
One has to be determined to visit Saline Valley H.S. because it is in a very remote location and is only accessible by a few roads that are commonly washed out. Even when the roads are "passable," you can expect hours of driving on washboard roads at 5-10 mph. You should only attempt to visit these springs in a reliable vehicle with good tires and a good spare tire or two.
The springs and surrounding facilities are kept in immaculate condition by the many die hard lovers of the site. A lot of up to date information can be gleaned from Saline Valley Talk. Always visit the site prior to going and see what supplies they might need. They usually always need bleach, toilet paper, firewood, brooms, etc. You're encourage to be an active participant of these springs and not just a visitor, so plan to pitch in on a few service projects to help keep it the magical place it is.
Buckeye Hot Springs
15 miles +/- West of Bridgeport, CA
Wild, 104 degrees
Clothing Optional/Dogs Allowed
My Rating: 5/5
Review: This is one of my favorite hot springs for a number of reasons. It's only a couple of hours away from me and is located just outside the northeast boundary of Yosemite NP, which gives you an idea of how beautiful the area is. Also, it's remote enough that it's not always crowded, but close enough to town as to not be a haul to get to. Plus, it's actually a small hot waterfall that collects into pools of differing temperatures, all of which is right next to Buckeye Creek. The springs are always nice and hot and a cold plunge in the creek is just a few feet away. There's a USFS campground about a mile away and plenty of dispersed camping in the area. There's a hiking trail that meanders alongside Buckeye Creek and it's close to Twin Lakes, CA, where the fishing's outstanding.
The main pool at Buckeye Hot Springs
Travertine Hot Springs
3 miles +/- South of Bridgeport, CA
Wild, 98-101 degrees
Clothing Optional/Dogs Allowed
My Rating: 3/5
Review: I'm kind of hot and cold on Travertine H.S. Since these are right outside of Bridgeport, CA, they see a lot more visitors and it's rare to find them empty. They are very beautiful springs, but they never seem quite hot enough. Every time I've soaked in them I always wished for a few more degrees of heat. Travertine doesn't have a large volume of water running through the pools, so you're more likely to be soaking in someone else's "bathwater." Plus, the mud bottoms of the pools have a very strong sulfur smell, which is quite off putting. The last time I was there (Fall 2014), you could see little red water bugs swimming around in two of the pools, which successfully scared away any potential soakers. All in all though, I like Travertine. If you can catch them on a slow day and the water is hot, you'll have a really nice soak and a fantastic view of Bridgeport and the Eastern Sierra.
One of the pools.
A view of the pools from the top.
Little Hot Creek Springs
Eastern California, 16 miles SE of Mammoth Lakes
Wild
Adjustable by opening a valve
Clothing Optional/Dogs Allowed
My Rating: 5/5
Review: One of the best tubs in the Mammoth geothermal area. The soaking tub is only a short distance off of the road, behind a fence. You can car camp off of the roadside near the tub or at a couple of very close (walkable distance) sites nearby. You can also tent camp in the adjacent meadow. You are not likely to be alone at these springs, but those you meet during your stay will probably be very friendly people. The springs have great views and the tub itself is in very good condition. I didn't see any signs of nearby cattle grazing, so the flies will be minimal here. Little Hot Creek is a bit tricky to find, as there are a lot of forks in the road leading to the springs, but if you're determined, you'll be rewarded with a great soak.
Review: One of the best tubs in the Mammoth geothermal area. The soaking tub is only a short distance off of the road, behind a fence. You can car camp off of the roadside near the tub or at a couple of very close (walkable distance) sites nearby. You can also tent camp in the adjacent meadow. You are not likely to be alone at these springs, but those you meet during your stay will probably be very friendly people. The springs have great views and the tub itself is in very good condition. I didn't see any signs of nearby cattle grazing, so the flies will be minimal here. Little Hot Creek is a bit tricky to find, as there are a lot of forks in the road leading to the springs, but if you're determined, you'll be rewarded with a great soak.
Shepard Hot Springs
Eastern California, 12 miles SE of Mammoth Lakes
Wild
Adjustable by opening a valve
Clothing Optional/Dogs Allowed
My Rating: 3/5
Review: another tub in the Mammoth geothermal area. Shepard is easy to find and is located at the end of a dirt road that forms a cul-de-sac. There is car and tent camping nearby and the views are beautiful. On my visit, however, the hot water didn't appear to be flowing. I opened the valve on a PVC pipe and nothing came out, yet the tub was full of warm water. I don't know if there's a trick to get the water flowing or if it's a seasonal tub, but if it's working, I'll figure it out eventually. When I was at Shepard, the water did not look inviting and there were signs of nearby cattle grazing, so there were flies out and about. The tub is small and will only hold 3-4 people max, but it is totally worth another visit whenever I'm in the area.
Review: another tub in the Mammoth geothermal area. Shepard is easy to find and is located at the end of a dirt road that forms a cul-de-sac. There is car and tent camping nearby and the views are beautiful. On my visit, however, the hot water didn't appear to be flowing. I opened the valve on a PVC pipe and nothing came out, yet the tub was full of warm water. I don't know if there's a trick to get the water flowing or if it's a seasonal tub, but if it's working, I'll figure it out eventually. When I was at Shepard, the water did not look inviting and there were signs of nearby cattle grazing, so there were flies out and about. The tub is small and will only hold 3-4 people max, but it is totally worth another visit whenever I'm in the area.
The Crab Cooker Hot Springs
Eastern California, 12 miles SE of Mammoth Lakes
Wild
Defunct
Clothing Optional/Dogs Allowed
My Rating: 4/5 (if working)
Review: This tub was dry on my visit and apparently it's source has dried up. I don't know if the water flows seasonally, or if it's gone for good. The tub is located in an open meadow with great views, but there were cattle in the area, so flies are out and about. The Crab Cooker is on land owned by the Division of Water & Power and they do not allow camping nearby. On my short stop to the tub on Labor Day weekend, 2016, a DWP truck was actively patrolling the area, so please obey their rules to avoid the area being totally closed off to the public.
I'll check on this spring next time I'm in the area and update this post if I find the springs flowing again.
Review: This tub was dry on my visit and apparently it's source has dried up. I don't know if the water flows seasonally, or if it's gone for good. The tub is located in an open meadow with great views, but there were cattle in the area, so flies are out and about. The Crab Cooker is on land owned by the Division of Water & Power and they do not allow camping nearby. On my short stop to the tub on Labor Day weekend, 2016, a DWP truck was actively patrolling the area, so please obey their rules to avoid the area being totally closed off to the public.
I'll check on this spring next time I'm in the area and update this post if I find the springs flowing again.
The Hot Tub
Eastern California, 11 miles SE of Mammoth Lakes
Wild
Adjustable by opening a valve
Clothing Optional/Dogs Allowed
My Rating: 4/5
Review: One of the nicer tubs in the Mammoth geothermal area. The soaking tub is right off of the road and there's plenty of parking nearby. You can car camp off of the roadside near the tub and can tent camp in the adjacent meadows. You are not likely to be alone at these springs, as they are popular. The springs have great views and the tub itself is in very good condition, albeit the smallest tub in the area. I didn't see any signs of nearby cattle grazing, so the flies will be minimal here. Some people camp very close to the Hot Tub, but don't let them discourage you from taking advantage of your right to soak here too.
Review: One of the nicer tubs in the Mammoth geothermal area. The soaking tub is right off of the road and there's plenty of parking nearby. You can car camp off of the roadside near the tub and can tent camp in the adjacent meadows. You are not likely to be alone at these springs, as they are popular. The springs have great views and the tub itself is in very good condition, albeit the smallest tub in the area. I didn't see any signs of nearby cattle grazing, so the flies will be minimal here. Some people camp very close to the Hot Tub, but don't let them discourage you from taking advantage of your right to soak here too.
Grover Hot Springs State Park
3 miles +/- West of Markleeville, CA
Developed
103 degrees in the hot pool, plus there's a heated swimming pool adjacent to the hot tub.
Clothing Required/No Pets
My Rating: 2.5/5
Review: Grover is a great place to take a bunch of kids. There's a swimming pool, where the kids tend to gravitate to and a large hot pool that attracts more adults. There are nice changing/shower rooms and poolside storage in the form of little cubbies. There are always lifeguards on duty and the facility is always clean and well maintained. The drawbacks are that there's almost always a long wait to get in the place. Grover's has a maximum capacity that is dependent on how many lifeguards are on duty that day. There are supposed to be three on duty, but I'm assuming because of budgetary restrictions, there's often only one or two, which means they can't let in a lot of people at a time. Plus, they have a "one out/one in" policy, so your group will have to trickle in one at a time, which is a drag. And finally, they do not allow food in at all, so if you get hungry, you have to leave the springs and wait in line again to get back in.
Grover is a very, very nice place to visit and is located in an absolutely gorgeous meadow. One can easily hike 0.3 miles to the very large campground that's just to the east of the springs. It should be noted that the campground is VERY popular and its reserved campsites usually fill up months in advance.
The hot pool is in the foreground.
Sierraville Hot Springs Resort
0.2 miles +/- East of Sierraville, CA
Developed
Varies in the many different pools and tubs.
Clothing Optional/No Pets
My Rating: 3.5/5
Review: this is a private facility and at least one person in your party has to buy a "membership" in order to enter. There are a lot of different soaking options: private tubs, pools, a large heated pool and even some soaking options inside a geodesic dome building. This is kind of a hippy hangout and when I've been there, there are more naked poeple than clothed. The place has a nice vibe to it and in spite of the nudity, is very kid friendly. There is a nice changing room and funky landscaping all around. The resort does have some camping space available as well as some on site lodging. You can get massages, etc. and sometimes there are workshops available. The town of Sierraville has a couple of restaurants (one of which is a really good Mexican joint) and some limited shops/services. The entire area is absolutely beautiful.
Keough Hot Springs
7.5 miles +/- South of Bishop, CA
Developed, Temps Vary by Pool
Clothing Required/No Pets
My Rating: 4/5
Review: this is a privately owned operation and has been running since 1919. The whole place has a nice "old school" feel to it, especially the heavy use of aqua blue paint. Keough has a very innovative way to cool the water to a usable temperature before it hits the pool. The water is sprayed through a series of nozzles that are mounted to a tower and by the time the water hits the pool below, it's a perfect temperature. Keough is open year round and they offer various classes and activities. There is also a handful of RV sites on the north side of the pools and tent sites on the south end. They also have some modular cabin-type units and some tent cabins. This is a good location for kids as there are plenty of things to do to keep them occupied. It's close enough to Bishop for easy re-supply and in the summer, Bishop usually has local activities going on over the weekend.
The hot pools are under the porch, behind the cooling nozzles.
Benton Hot Springs
50 miles +/- East of Lee Vining, CA
Developed, But Rustic
Temps at the pools are adjustable by adding cold water
Clothing Optional at Your Tub/Well Behaved Dogs Allowed
My Rating: 5/5
WOW! This is an awesome place and I will definitely re-visit it regularly. I had put off going before because it was almost 4 hours from home, but since getting my smaller, more agile truck camper, I decided now was the time. I made a reservation about 4 weeks out as I'd heard the place fills up regularly.
The drive was beautiful and as I got closer to BHS, I could see Boundary Peak, which is 13,143 ft. elev. and is technically the highest point in Nevada. I say technically because it's half in CA and half in NV (13,063 foot Wheeler Peak in Great Basin Nat'l Park is the highest peak that's entirely in Nevada). Boundary Peak juts up slightly proud of the other peaks on the White Mountains, all of which are gorgeous. I had no idea the area was so scenic.
The staff was fantastic and in addition to renting campsites, they also rent motel-like rooms, sell antiques and gifts and serve meals for the nearby bed & breakfast. If you go, bring plenty of water as all they have on site is hot water. I had to fill jugs and let them cool overnight.
There are petroglyphs nearby and plenty of history/geology (abandoned buildings, tufa formations, volcanic craters, etc.) for one to explore. But best of all, it's a great place to soak and relax.
The drive was beautiful and as I got closer to BHS, I could see Boundary Peak, which is 13,143 ft. elev. and is technically the highest point in Nevada. I say technically because it's half in CA and half in NV (13,063 foot Wheeler Peak in Great Basin Nat'l Park is the highest peak that's entirely in Nevada). Boundary Peak juts up slightly proud of the other peaks on the White Mountains, all of which are gorgeous. I had no idea the area was so scenic.
The staff was fantastic and in addition to renting campsites, they also rent motel-like rooms, sell antiques and gifts and serve meals for the nearby bed & breakfast. If you go, bring plenty of water as all they have on site is hot water. I had to fill jugs and let them cool overnight.
There are petroglyphs nearby and plenty of history/geology (abandoned buildings, tufa formations, volcanic craters, etc.) for one to explore. But best of all, it's a great place to soak and relax.
and roam around. Boundary Peak is seen anchoring
the White Mountains
NEW MEXICO
Ojo Caliente Mineral Springs
50 miles +/- North of Santa Fe, NM
Developed, Temps Vary by Pool
No Pets
My Rating: 5/5
Review: this is probably my favorite hot spring destination of all. Ojo is the only place on the planet where four different types of healing water bubbling to the surface. The four springs are: soda, iron, lithia and arsenic and they fill the numerous pools on the property. Ojo used to be very "old school" and therefore, affordable. They've done major renovations to the property and it is now a resort in every sense of the word. Ojo Caliente is Georgia O'Keefe country, so you know it's beautiful. Don't go to northern New Mexico without stopping by Ojo!
What a find. Came across you site and really appreciate all the information on the hot springs. Some of which I've visited but many I have not. Thanks again.
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