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Activities | Leisure
primitive.hot springs
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California Hot Springs
You've heard of them - Deep Creek, Hot Creek, Sespe & Saline. Hot mineral waters flowing from the depths of the earth into handmade rock tubs, star filled skies overnight and completely surrounded by nothing but nature. Like a distant dream you imagine a dim, shimmering light, the lunar terrain, the long soak, the clouds, the stars, the sunrise, the breezes in the palms rustling above.
NATURAL HOT TUBS: California Hot Springs are located in rural areas, mostly on dirt roads, some inside or near National Forests. Most have camping nearby, but not adjacent the hot tubs. Most all of these are maintained by local volunteers. Vandalism also closes these special sites off from the public use, so use them wisely. Please respect the lands and the hot tub sites: pick up litter, do not use any soap and keep hot tubs clean. These hot spring tubs are usually built and cared for by locals, not the government agencies that manage our public lands. |
Primitive
Hot Springs in California
Most of these special places can be reached by one lane paved
or dirt road. SUV /high clearance
vehicle may be needed in some cases, but 4x4 is not necessary. Many are hike in only access. Few allow parking your car right next to the springs. Some tubs are so remote, the only way to reach them is by hiking several miles. Get maps and cross reference. Make an overnight backpacking trip for more secluded hot springs. Plan for a relaxing time and exciting adventure.
Hot springs are a naturally
occurring phenomena. Neither improved nor maintained by the Forest Service. Most of
the tubs in these locations are build by volunteer efforts. Please
respect these unique locations & leave the place cleaner
than when you found it.
hot springs tips
- Footing around hot springs
is often poor. Watch out for broken glass, towels, drinks, dogs, clothes and slippery moss.
Use caution when going barefoot and don't go alone. At night bring flashlights.
- Water temperatures vary
by site, ranging from warm to very hot. Test the water first for temperature to avoid scalds and burns. Keep alcoholic beverages for afterward, or at least to a minimum.
- Prolonged immersion may
be hazardous to your health and result in hyperthermia, also known as heat stroke.
- Elderly persons and those
with a history of heart disease, diabetes, high or low blood
pressure or who are pregnant should consult their physicians
prior to use.
- Respect private property
rights. Do not trespass at private hot springs without the landowners
permission.
hot springs etiquette
- Rinse your feet prior to tub entry.
- Please don't litter. Pick some up.
- Don't drink the water.
- Don't let your dog drink the water.
- Don't let your dog soak.
- Don't leave cigarettes/butts lying around.
Majority rules: clothing optional can be uncomfortable for some folks. Assess the situation before hand and bring some swimwear if you must. If there are a bunch of tourists and families, you will see more swimsuits. Young people, bikers, campers and hippies, it's gonna be the nudies ruling.
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Baja Hot Springs          
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Palm Canyon Oasis Campground
619-639-7597
Off road destination in Baja, East of Tecate & San Diego. SW of El Centro @ Mexicali
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Big Bear Hot Springs           
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San Bernardino National Forest
Lake Arrowhead, CA
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Big Sur Hot Springs         
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Esalen Institute Esalen Hot Springs
open to general public by reservation only from 1am to 3am. $20 fee, payable by credit card only. Reservations, 831-667-3047 |
Sykes
Hot Springs
hike in only
Trail #3E06.2 via Rd.#20S05
E of Pfieffer Big
Sur SP
located in a remote area of the
Los Padres National Forest
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Tassajara Hot Springs
Tassajara Rd. Los Padres NF
San Francisco Zen Center 300 Page St, San Francisco
415/865-1899
415/865-1895
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Bishop - Eastern Sierra Hot Springs
      
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Keough Hot Ditch right off Hwy 395, dirt roads 8.5 mi. South of Bishop
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Bridgeport Hot Springs       |
Buckeye Hot Springs
Toiyabe National Forest
702/882-2766
8 mile NW of Bridgeport
NW of town, on Hwy 395 take forest service road 017 (dirt road)
6-7 miles |
Fales
Toiyabe NF
702/882-2766
old resort now in ruins
along Hwy 395 near the Sonora Jct Hwy 108;
drive W from Bridgeport 13 miles. Property will be on your left and the
runoff will be about a tenth of a mile on your right |
1 mile SE of Bridgeport;
off of Hwy 395 via Jack Sawyer Rd. |
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Death Valley Hot Springs
      
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NORTH of CA Highway 190
North Death Valley National Park
EAST of CA Highway 127
South of Death Valley National Park
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View Death Valley National Park in a larger map |
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Eastern Sierra Hot Springs |
see
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Gaviota - Santa Barbara Hot Springs
        
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Gaviota
near Gaviota State Park
Highway 101 @ PCH jct 1 |
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see also
- Santa Barbara |
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Hesperia     
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Deep Creek Hot Springs
San Bernardino National Forest
Lake Arrowhead, CA
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Kennedy
Meadows
     
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Jordan Hot Springs.
hike in only
West from Blackrock 5 miles is beautiful
Beach Meadows. North 8 miles at the end of the road at Blackrock
are trails into the Golden Trout Wilderness Area. 2 mile hike
into Casa Vieja Meadows, & another 3 miles down to Jordan
Hot Springs.
Sequoia
National Forest
Inyo National
Forest
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Kern River Hot Springs
      
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Democrat Hot Springs
Delonegha
Scovern
You've seen these signs along Hwy 178, but don't get too excited, these are all on private property - with no access to public |
Miracle Hot Springs
Old Kern Canyon Road near Hobo Campground
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Remington Hot Springs
Old Kern Canyon Road
1-3 mi W from Hobo Campground; dirt parking lot near telephone poles; hike in access only |
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Lake Arrowhead Hot Springs
    
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Deep Creek Hot Springs
San Bernardino National Forest
Lake Arrowhead, CA
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Lakeshore - Sierra Hot Springs
      
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Hwy. 168, Kaiser Pass
NE of Huntington Lake
located in Sierra
NF
winter trip: Sno-Mo
Sierras
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Blayney
hike in only
ferry from Florence Lake
Sierra National Forest |
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Ojai Hot Springs
       
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17 mi RT hike Los
Padres NF
hike in only
Trail head @ end of
Forest Service Rd. #7N03 via
Johnson Ridge Trail #20W12
located in a remote area of the Los Padres NF |
Willett Hot Springs
Los
Padres National Forest |
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Santa
Barbara Hot Springs
     
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Both of these can be reached by driving Hwy. 154 N,
then right on Forest Service Road #5N12 (E. Camino Cielo to Romero
Canyon Rd #5N15 ) Follow signs. |
Little Caliente
located @ end of Forest Service Rd. #5N15 in Los
Padres National Forest small campground nearby |
Big
Caliente Hot Springs
located @ end of Forest Service Rd. #5N16 via #5N15
in Los Padres NF
small campground nearby |
Matilija Canyon
hike in, north shore Matilija Creek
N on Hwy. 33 from Ojai
W on Matilija Road |
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Total Escape California Camping
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