Recreation

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primitive.hot springs

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.

Baja Hot Springs
Guadalupe Canyon Hot Springs Palm Canyon Oasis Campground 619-639-7597 Off road destination in Baja, East of Tecate & San Diego. SW of El Centro @ Mexicali
Big Bear Hot Springs
Deep Creek Hot Springs San Bernardino National Forest Lake Arrowhead, CA
Big Sur Hot Springs
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 pix	Tassajara Hot Springs Tassajara Rd. Los Padres NF San Francisco Zen Center 300 Page St, San Francisco 415/865-1899 415/865-1895
Bishop - Eastern Sierra Hot Springs
Keough Hot Springs Keough Hot Ditch right off Hwy 395, dirt roads 8.5 mi. South of Bishop
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	Travertine Hot Springs 1 mile SE of Bridgeport; off of Hwy 395 via Jack Sawyer Rd.
Death Valley Hot Springs
Saline Valley Hot Springs NORTH of CA Highway 190 North Death Valley National Park Tecopa Hot Springs EAST of CA Highway 127 South of Death Valley National Park	View Death Valley National Park in a larger map
Eastern Sierra Hot Springs
see Mammoth Hot Springs
Gaviota - Santa Barbara Hot Springs
Gaviota near Gaviota State Park Highway 101 @ PCH jct 1		see also - Santa Barbara
Hesperia
Deep Creek Hot Springs San Bernardino National Forest Lake Arrowhead, CA
Kennedy Meadows
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	..
Kern River Hot Springs
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
Remington Hot Springs Old Kern Canyon Road 1-3 mi W from Hobo Campground; dirt parking lot near telephone poles; hike in access only	..
Lake Arrowhead Hot Springs
Deep Creek Hot Springs San Bernardino National Forest Lake Arrowhead, CA
Lakeshore - Sierra Hot Springs
Mono Hot Springs Hwy. 168, Kaiser Pass NE of Huntington Lake located in Sierra NF winter trip: Sno-Mo Sierras	Blayney hike in only ferry from Florence Lake Sierra National Forest
Mammoth Hot Springs
Ojai Hot Springs
Sespe Hot Springs 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
Santa Barbara Hot Springs
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