Hot Springs in California

California's geothermal activity runs along the Cascade volcanic arc and the Basin and Range province in the east. Travertine Hot Springs near Bridgeport in the Eastern Sierra is a free BLM site with multiple pools and a view of the Sawtooth Ridge. Wild Willy's near Mammoth Lakes is a rough BLM pool in the Long Valley Caldera — formed by a supervolcanic eruption 760,000 years ago. The Orr Hot Springs near Ukiah in Mendocino County is a clothing-optional resort in a redwood canyon. The Esalen Institute at Big Sur has famous clifftop pools above the Pacific — available to public early morning by reservation. Calistoga in the Napa Valley is known for volcanic ash mud baths and hot spring spas.

Always test water temperature before soaking. Some natural hot springs exceed 150°F and are dangerous. Never soak alone in remote sites. Explore all hot springs on the Trek4Free map →