Total Escape Outside » Hot Springs

Kern River Hot Springs

DanaMite — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 14:43:17 +0000

Kern Hot Springs

From Lake Isabella down to Bako, along Hwy 178, numerous natural hot springs can be found in this canyon. Old Kern Canyon Road has plenty of primitive spots to camp along the road, way above the Kern River. This Southern Sierra Nevada scenic route, a 20 mi winding narrow paved road, is the old highway that leads up to Bodfish CA.

At least a dozen dispersed camp sites can be found along the Old Kern Cyn Rd, some spots with views over canyon, some hidden & shady, many spots are level & large – suitable for RVs. No facilities, no fees, just a flat, dispersed site. Campfire permits are required for fires outside of developed Campgrounds & fire restrictions are often high, so no fires are allowed much of the year. Most of the gates on the Lower Kern are now locked & only accessible by Forest Service personnel, ranchers or local rafting companies with permits.

The 2 developed Lower Kern Campgrounds are HOBO & SANDY FLAT, if you really need a picnic table & bathroom. You can reserve camps by clicking the links.

Miracle Hot Springs - next to Hobo Campground. This hot tub park is closed for repairs (indefinitely). On a visit in Oct 2008, I found the gates open to Miracle (while Hobo Campground was closed), a few portable bathrooms & trash bins, the hiking trail clear; 2 shallow pools partially filled. Maybe enough room to soak your butt, but not fully submerse yourself. Someone really needs to renovate this place!

Remington Hot Springs

The 3 hot springs listed below are Private Property, so don’t get shot:

Delonegha Hot Springs

Concrete tubs were built by homesteaders, later a hotel and boarding house were constructed. Stage coaches from the San Joaquin Valley took 2 days to get visitors to this area. The hotel closed in 1912, when more accessible areas of Democrat and Hobo were built. Remaining cement tubs run along a rock peninsula overlooking the Kern River; water temperatures average 112 degrees. This private property is fenced.

Scovern Hot Springs

Also known as the Hot Springs House. 1902 mud baths were being offered and the wooden tubs were replaced by galvanized tubs. A swimming pool and bath houses were added when the Scoverns bought the property in 1929. Bath house burned to the ground in 1971 and only a vacant lot remains. Steam can still be seen in the fields across from the springs, where water runs at 140 gallons a minute @ 115 degrees.

Democrat Hot Springs

The hotel and cottages were constructed to accommodate guests that came in stage coaches to dine and relax during the early 1900’s. Five springs on the property flow at 115 degrees into large soaking tubs and a swimming pool. Because of vandalism, this private property is gated and has a full time caretaker.

NEARBY TOWNS -

MAP OF THE KERN RIVER -

Sequoia National Forest Map

Big Basin Redwoods Campground

DanaMite — Sat, 15 Dec 2007 04:14:10 +0000

Big Basin Redwoods Camping – Big Basin State Park

These are the majestic Santa Cruz redwood forests, located behind Boulder Creek & off of Hwy 9. This park has awesome hiking, easy access & overnight accommodations to suit your style. Stay in a tent cabin, a developed campground or use the walk-in camp sites for a real natural setting.

184 camp spots:

74 tent campsites
38 walk-in sites
41 tent cabins
31 RV campsites (27′ max)

Additionally there are 40 hike-in camp sites & 4 group camps, by reservation.

If you prefer not to camp out among the ferns & the forest, then the tent cabin may be the way to go, or there are several dozen inns nearby. Select the towns below for lodging options.

Big Basin Redwoods State Park Campground
takes campground reservations!

nearby communities:

Kern River Canyon

DanaMite — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 10:04:54 +0000

Kern River Valley is one of the all time favorite Sierra Nevada destinations for SoCal escapees. First, it is the southern most ‘big river’ action for the Sierra range. The drive up from Los Angeles is easy access; only a coupe of hours.

Second, it has an abundance of outdoor recreation, from fishing to boating, river rafting to kayaking, backpacking, mountain biking, horseback riding, hiking, camping, & soaking.

Third, the scenery is very diverse – with the dry shores of Lake Isabella, the granite lined Kern River, or the ridges with towering cedar forests, plenty sugar pines, plus a few Sequoias; Tons of dirt back roads to explore, granite & gorges for the rock climbers, prime wilderness access & several primitive hot springs.

The whole area is encompassed by the Sequoia National Forest with wilderness areas to the North & East

Sequoia National Forest MAP

DOME LAND Wilderness MAP

GOLDEN TROUT Wilderness MAP

Kern River Valley communities include:

Whether you’re an RVer wanting a developed campground near town, a fisherman needing a primitive site right on the river, or a backpacker seeking the high country, the Kern has a little bit of everything. High elevations beyond 8000′ ridge lines, or the lush Lower Kern under 2000′ with granite boulders lining, Kern has it. 4 wheelers will love the extensive network of dirt back roads, or maybe the OHV areas of Keysville. Lake Isabella has numerous oak lined campgrounds & boat rentals available too. Summer is not the best time to visit as the temperatures soar to 100 degrees & the city crowds come in full force to the Kern Valley. Springtime, the best season to visit, runs from March to May.

Fish Slough

DanaMite — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 02:51:07 +0000

On the north end of Bishop CA, running parallel to & on the west side of Hwy 6, is a long dirt road called Fish Slough Rd. Indian petroglyphs can be found out here & also on the ridges along Chalk Bluff Rd (to the south). The entire region is called a volcanic tableland & hot springs are very common in this region. The Owens River Gorge & Lake Crowley are to the west. High clearance vehicles are recommended for traveling these back roads, but 4×4 is rarely needed.

Read & see more on Fish Slough Petroglyphs

BISHOP CA

LAKE CROWLEY

BENTON HOT SPRINGS

Visit Hwy 395 Hot Springs