15 Incredible Hot Springs To Visit In California

1. Travertine Hot Springs

Bridgeport is a charming mountain town in California that is home to the gorgeous Travertine Hot Springs. This outdoor spring is located just a 5-minute drive from downtown Bridgeport.

After a fun day full of outdoor fun in the Sierra Nevada mountains, you can soak your sore muscles at the Travertine Hot Springs while enjoying sunset views of the surrounding landscapes. This is a great destination to explore for those traveling to Mammoth Lakes along Highway 395.

If you wish to stay by the springs overnight, there are spots for dispersed camping nearby where you can camp on BLM lands. There are also several excellent hotels to stay in Bridgeport, including:

• The Bodie Hotel
• Walker River Lodge
• Virginia Creek Settlement

2. Wild Willy’s Hot Spring

Featuring stunning views of the Sierra Nevada Mountain range, Wild Willy’s Hot Spring is one of the most popular places to go for an outdoor soak in Mammoth.

This rustic hot spring is located just 15 minutes south of Mammoth Lakes town near Hilltop Hot Springs. Parking can be found along Benton Crossing Road, and from there it’s just a short 0.25-mile walk along a wooden boardwalk to reach it.

There are two rustic pools where you can jump in for a soak. The larger pool is shallow, but it fits more people. Nearby, you will find a small rock tub in the shape of a heart. This tub is deeper, much hotter, and has a unique blue color to the water.

3. Remington Hot Springs

Remington Hot Springs is a hidden little gem in Central Valley! This hot spring is located by Lake Isabella, just an hour’s drive from Bakersfield.

Remington Hot Springs is set on the Kern River that flows next to Highway 178. There is a small visitor parking lot where you can park your car. From there, it’s just a short but steep walk down to the hot springs.

These hot springs consist of several different pools with various temperatures. In spring and after heavy rain, the pools can get flooded, so I recommend checking the latest reviews for Remington Hot Spring Trail on the AllTrails hiking app before heading out there.

I had a relaxing and pleasant experience on my visit to Remington Hot Springs, however, this hot spring can get crowded. I recommend coming early before the crowds arrive, especially on the weekends.

Read Next: 7 Wonderful Things To Do At Lake Isabella All Year Long

4. Hilltop Hot Springs

Mammoth Lakes is known for having several amazing natural hot springs that are easily accessible all year long. One of my personal favorites in the Hilltop Hot Springs!

Hilltop Hot Springs is located just a 15-minute drive from Mammoth Lakes town. I like to visit this natural hot spring after a weekend of hiking or snowboarding in the mountains. This is a great place to relax and soothe sore muscles in a beautiful outdoor setting.

Hilltop Hot Springs can be accessed year-round, even in the winter. Parking can be found along Benton Crossing Road, and from there, it’s just a short walk to the springs.

5. Montecito Hot Springs  

Situated within the Los Padres National Forest near Santa Barbara, Montecito Hot Springs is a stunning hot spring with multiple cascading pools.

These springs can be accessed via the 2.6-mile-long Hot Springs Canyon Trail that starts at the Hot Springs Canyon Trailhead. Despite the moderate trek to get there, these hot springs are very popular and do get crowded, especially on the weekends. Parking at the trailhead is very limited, so be sure to arrive early in the morning to get a parking spot.

There are several turquoise pools that you can visit here with various temperatures. The springs are surrounded by a lush canyon, adding to the beautiful natural setting.

6. Deep Creek Hot Springs

Located within the San Bernardino National Forest, Deep Creek Hot Springs is one of the best outdoor springs in Southern California. This hot spring is located just a 2-hour drive northeast of Los Angeles, so it’s a great weekend trip option for LA locals.

Deep Creek Hot Springs can be reached by following the 3.7 mile long out and back Deep Creek Hot Springs Trail that starts at the Bowen Ranch. This is private property, so there is a $10 fee per person to hike this trail, with an option to camp overnight for $15 per person.

The trail to reach the hot springs has 900 feet of elevation change. It goes downhill first until you reach the hot springs, and climbs back up on the way back to the parking lot. There are multiple rocky pools that you can enjoy here, situated along Deep Creek.

Hiking Tip: Be sure to bring plenty of water, sunscreen, and a hiking hat as this area can get very hot, especially in the summer.

7. Crab Cooker Hot Springs

Crab Cooker Hot Springs is yet another scenic free hot spring in Mammoth, California. This is one of the hardest springs to reach in the area, but the gorgeous views are well worth it!

To reach Crab Cooker Hot Springs, you will need to drive on a rough road with lots of potholes and rocks, so a high clearance vehicle is recommended. To get there from Mammoth Lakes town, take Benton Crossing Road to Whitmore Tubs Road. Then make a right and then a left onto a small dirt road.

Crab Cooker Hot Springs consists of a round rock tub that can fit multiple people. If this hot spring is too crowded, you can also walk to the nearby Shepherd Hot Springs.

Keep in mind that this is one of the hottest natural springs in the area, but there is a valve for adjusting the temperature. Overall, Crab Cooker Hot Springs is a great place for photography, especially at sunrise and sunset.

8. Sycamore Mineral Springs Resort & Spa

Sycamore Mineral Springs Resort & Spa is a wonderful destination in Avila Beach that features a hotel and naturally heated mineral springs. This is a great place to go for a weekend to unplug and reconnect with your partner in a lovely setting near the coast.

Sycamore Mineral Springs Resort offers a variety of experiences from hillside hot tubs to private in-room tubs, an outdoor mineral pool, and an oasis waterfall lagoon that can fit larger groups of up to 20 people.

Spending a night or two at the resort and getting a soak in while you’re at it is a great way to relax and get away from the busy city life in California!

9. Avila Hot Springs

If you’re looking for something a bit more family-friendly, check out the nearby Avila Hot Springs, which has a large outdoor swimming pool and a smaller therapeutic mineral soaking pool.

Operating since 1907, this public swimming pool draws water from the natural well beneath it before cooling it to a comfortable temperature. The water here is full of healing minerals, including magnesium, iron, calcium, sodium, and others. 

Avila Hot Springs offers day passes that cost $29 for adults (16+) and $26 for kids under 16. As an option, you can also reserve tent campsites and RV sites to stay for a couple of days.

10. Buckeye Hot Spring

At Buckeye Hot Spring, visitors can enjoy the relaxing wonders of a natural hot spring surrounded by scenic river and forest views.

Similar to Travertine Hot Springs, Buckeye Hot Spring is also located near Bridgeport. It takes about a 20-minute drive to get there by following the Twin Lakes Road to Buckeye Road.

From the parking area, it’s a short yet steep walk down to the springs. There are multiple tubs for soaking, including a small cave with a waterfall-like feature.

Buckeye Hot Spring is set along the Buckeye Creek, so you can jump in for a cold plunge after your soak – a unique experience in California! Do keep in mind that sometimes the river can overflow into the hot pools, especially in the spring season.

Unless you plan to stay in Bridgeport overnight, there are several campgrounds in the area, including the nearby Buckeye Campground.

11. Keough’s Hot Springs

Situated halfway between Big Pine and Bishop towns, Keough’s Hot Springs is a popular stop for those on a road trip along Highway 395. This is a great place to soak after a day full of driving in the car or hiking, fishing, and rock climbing in the area.

The water at this outdoor swimming pool is channeled from the mountains and then cooled down to a comfortable temperature. The bigger main pool is kept at 89-90 degrees while the smaller pool is heated to 104 degrees.

Established in 1919, Keough’s Hot Springs is the largest hot springs pool in the Eastern Sierra. This location offers a rustic and nostalgic experience for visitors that’s great for relieving aches and pains.

The entrance fee to visit Keough’s Hot Springs costs $14 for adults, $10 for kids (ages 3-12), and $5 for kids under 2. Keep in mind that the pool is closed on Tuesdays and opening hours vary depending on the day of the week.

If you wish to stay overnight, this location offers tent campsites for $35 a night and RV sites for $40 a night. There is also a small snack bar on the premises selling hot dogs, ice cream, nachos, hot pretzels, and other small items.

12. Grover Hot Springs State Park

If you’re looking for a place to go for a dip surrounded by beautiful nature, this place is for you! Grover Hot Springs State Park is located in Northern California near Markleeville, about an hour south of South Lake Tahoe.

Discovered in 1843, Grover Hot Springs quickly grew in popularity over the years. This location is now managed by the State of California and is open to the public with a small entrance fee.

The hot springs are open Thursday to Tuesday from 10 am to 7 pm and closed on Wednesdays. It costs $8 for the vehicle fee to enter the State Park, plus $10 for pool entry for adults and $5 pool entry fee for kids.

There is one mineral pool that is fed by six hot springs and a larger cold pool for swimming. Before or after the swim, you can go for a scenic hike along a boardwalk, hike to a waterfall, enjoy a relaxing picnic, or stay overnight at the campground.

Overall, this is a great destination for families with kids who want to get out in nature!

13. The Rock Tub Hot Springs

Located right off Whitmore Tubs Road, the Rock Tub Hot Springs is one of the easiest geothermal hot springs to access in the Mammoth region. It can get quite busy, so plan to arrive early in the morning before the crowds.

Tucked away between rocks and bushes, this small hot spring does feel secluded and offers incredible mountain views.

The Rock Tub Hot Springs consists of a small cement and rock tub with mineral water that is fed by a pipe. Often, the water level is low, chilly, or filled with sediment. Be sure to check the latest Google reviews for updated conditions before heading out there.

While some visitors truly love it, others find these hot springs a bit disappointing and prefer to make the longer drive to the nearby Wild Willy’s Hot Spring or Hilltop Hot Springs instead.

14. Wilbur Hot Springs

Wilbur Hot Springs is a hidden little sanctuary in Northern California. Wilbur Hot Springs is located a 1.5-hour drive from Sacramento and a 2.5-hour drive north of San Francisco.

Set on a 1800-acre nature preserve, this outdoor retreat and hot springs focus on the healing power of nature and mineral springs.

Here, the thermal water is sourced into several pools, including 3 long onsen-style tubs with varying temperatures. On the property, you can also enjoy a swimming pool, dry sauna, and cold plunge pool, along with hiking and mountain biking trails.

Day use of the hot springs and nature preserve requires advance reservations. The day-use fee is $65.49 during the week and $72.15 on the weekends.

This retreat offers overnight accommodations, including camping, private rooms, bunk rooms, and cabins. To the overnight guests of the resort, the hot pools are open day and night.

15. Franklin Hot Springs

Franklin Hot Springs is an outdoor mineral thermal spring in Paso Robles, about a 30-minute drive north of San Luis Obispo and a 45-minute drive from Morro Bay.

The outdoor pool here is fed by natural healing water full of calcium, magnesium, potassium, and sodium minerals. The water is kept at a comfortable 100 degrees to prevent overheating.

Franklin Hot Springs has been family-owned and operated for 70+ years. The entrance fee is $10 for adults and $8 for kids, seniors, and military. This also grants access to the nearby lake for fishing and boating.

As an option, you can camp overnight for $20 for tent camping and $30 for RV camping.

Best Hot Springs In California Map:

Map Tip: Click on each location to see more details!

Have you visited any of these hot springs in California? Let us know your favorites in the comment section below!

Looking for more things to do in California? Be sure to check out these popular posts next:

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• 15 Wonderful Day Trips From Bakersfield (By a Local)
• 15 Best Day Trips To Take From Los Angeles
• 20 Gorgeous Lakes To Visit In Mammoth, California

This post is written by Laura. Hi, I’m a California local and the founder of the California Wanderland travel blog. I currently live in Ventura County and help 50,000 readers a month discover things to do in Central California! Read more about me here.

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