Travertine Hot Springs in Bridgeport, California

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7 Amazing Hot Springs Near Mammoth Lakes

If you are in Mammoth Lakes and are looking to relax, then there are plenty of hot springs to choose from. Soaking in a natural hot spring out in nature is one of the most soothing and incredible experiences that is a must to do. I had quite a bit of fun searching for and soaking in a number of hot springs near Mammoth Lakes!

And I have to say Mammoth Lakes really has the best natural hot springs that I have ever seen! All of these hot springs are small pools that are the size of a hot tub or jacuzzi with water temperatures ranging from 95 F to 105 F.

Even though these are natural springs, the temperature can be adjusted on a few of them. People have added nozzles to some so that you can adjust (add in colder water) if it is too hot.

The fun in finding hot springs near Mammoth Lakes...
The fun in finding hot springs near Mammoth Lakes…

The best is hopping into one of these hot springs after a day of hiking to soothe those aching muscles and take in the sunset with mountain views surrounding you. What is even more remarkable, is that visiting all of these spots are completely free! It doesn’t get any better than that, right?

Finding exactly where each of these is located can be a little daunting at first. So do have some patience when exploring these natural wonders.

I’ve put together this guide on the best natural hot springs near Mammoth Lakes and how to access them to make it easier for you. I hope you have just as much fun hot tubbing it as I did!

It doesn't get any better than this...
It doesn’t get any better than this…

How Did The Hot Springs Form?

First things first, all of these hot springs are completely natural hot springs coming out of the ground. Nothing man-made about them except for the rocks that make the pools look like a literal hot tub and a few valves to control the temperature.

So a ton of years ago, about 760,000 to be accurate a gigantic volcano exploded in the area that is now the area of Mammoth Lakes.

The result of a crazy amount of volcanic activity, are numerous natural hot springs that are abundant in and near Mammoth Lakes. Talk about a hot springs gold mine! Because the geothermal waters underground are constantly changing, don’t be surprised to see new hot springs appear in the future.

Visiting the hot springs is a fun activity any time of the year but caution as roads might not be accessible at some points in the winter. I visited in late fall and loved dipping in with the crisp air encompassing me. Made it perfect to withstand the hot water temperatures.

All of these natural hot springs can be found off of California’s Highway 395 both north and south of Mammoth Lakes. If you are looking for the ultimate guide on places to see along Highway 395, take a look at Cruising Down Highway 395 on an Epic Road Trip from Unending Journey. It’s packed with epic landscapes and unique points of interest to see!

Where Is Mammoth Lakes?

Mammoth Lakes is in the Northern California area known as the Eastern Sierras and nestled at the base of Mammoth Mountain. You will often hear of the town referred to interchangeably as Mammoth, Mammoth Mountain, Mammoth Lakes, and Mammoth Village.

Usually just saying “Mammoth” is fine. Mammoth Lakes is the main town and the Village is next to it where you can access the ski lifts.

The town of Mammoth Lakes is part of Mono County sitting along the Long Valley Caldera and an earthquake fault line. Because of this, the earth around Mammoth is a geological hotbed with lots of natural hot springs and interesting terrain to see.

The drive to Mammoth from Los Angeles is 5.5 hours, 7 hours from San Diego, and 6 hours from San Francisco. That makes it a fantastic mountain getaway from pretty much anywhere in California. For more info on what to do in Mammoth Lakes, check out 17 Best Things To Do In Mammoth Lakes.

Are you flying into California and need a rental car? Find the best deals on a car rental here and be ready for your trip!

Note: In case you are googling info on these magical pools, make sure you don’t mistake them for the Mammoth Hot Springs in Yellowstone National Park which is in Wyoming, not California. Make sure to type “Mammoth Lakes Hot Springs”.

If you are driving from Los Angeles or San Diego, plan to spend some time in 9 Natural Wonders In The Alabama Hills Of California on your way!

Hot Springs Tips

  • Bring plenty of water so you don’t dehydrate in a reusable water bottle. You will be sweating a lot!
  • Stay on the trails or boardwalks to the hot springs.
  • Carry a towel to dry off post soak with a travel towel.
  • Don’t get in or limit your time if you are feeling lightheaded from altitude sickness.
  • Test the water with your hand, don’t jump in before checking that it isn’t too hot.
  • It should be obvious but don’t leave a trace. That means don’t be a jerk and leave your trash. If you see trash from others, be considerate and pick it up.
  • Almost all of these hot springs do not have bathrooms, so go before you come or be prepared to go out in nature.
  • Bring a lunch or snacks to enjoy the mountain views and keep cold in this travel cooler.
  • Recommend a 4WD vehicle as the dirt roads can get bumpy!
  • Don’t count on having cell phone service. Having a map and taking notes from this post helps a bunch.
  • Most if not all of the hot spring locations listed are clothing optional! So don’t be surprised to see people donning their birthday suits…
  • Bring sunscreen especially during the summer months.

Dealing with Altitude Sickness

Not everyone is sensitive to high altitude but if you are someone that falls prey to it like me, it can be debilitating. It is no fun to arrive at your destination in a high altitude location and feel horrible.

What are the symptoms of altitude sickness (mountain sickness)? Symptoms can range from mild to severe with headaches, nausea, shortness of breath, fatigue yet difficulty sleeping.

Take breaks to give your body a chance to acclimate to the altitude
Take breaks to give your body a chance to acclimate to the altitude

As you climb in elevation, there is less oxygen for you to breathe in and that impacts your entire body. You will usually notice the symptoms of altitude sickness within a few hours or the first day at the higher elevation.

The severity of the symptoms will feel more prominent at elevations over 5,000 feet (1,524 meters) and even more so above 8,000 feet (2,438 meters).

The best thing you can do is rest and give yourself a few days to acclimate to the high altitude. For me personally, it can take up to a week but I have been that way since I was a kid. For many, you feel back to normal within a few days.

If you don’t already, consider getting a reusable filtered water bottle so that you have plenty of safe drinking water!

The best way to help your body normalize and reduce the effects of the symptoms is to:

  • Avoid alcohol as that will only intensify the symptoms and add to the killer headache. No fun right?
  • Drink lots of water! 3-4 quarts of water per day.
  • Eat more carbs! Yep, you heard that correctly. This is the more enjoyable tip to embrace with about 70% of your food coming from carbs.
  • Avoid intense physical exercise in the first few days.

Where To Stay In Mammoth Lakes

There are numerous places to stay in and around Mammoth Lakes but some great choices with good location are:

The Village Lodge – this is an excellent choice especially if you are staying in the winter as you can catch lifts right next to it at the Mountain Center.

The Westin Monache Resort – next to both the Village Lodge and Mountain Center in the Village.

Juniper Springs Resort – located in Mammoth Lakes and a short distance to lifts, lakes, and hiking.

So are you ready to go find your favorite hot springs?
So are you ready to go find your favorite hot springs?

Camping At The Hot Springs

If you are an outdoorsy type, then the hot springs are about to get even better as you can camp near all of these. The land where these hot springs are located is on BLM land which translates to “free camping”.

BLM refers to the Bureau of Land Management and means that camping on BLM land is public land.

The main thing to note that you can’t camp right at the hot springs but down the road or in parking lots nearby. Do note that there is no water or bathrooms for use, so for tent camping, you are roughing it a bit. Make sure to bring in everything you will need including plenty of water.

And just make sure that you don’t bring anything that is glass. If it breaks it won’t be cool for others that are visiting. Before you leave, pick up all your trash and waste to be a considerate camper! To find out more info on camping on BLM land, click here.

Get A PDF Of This Guide For Your Trip

For your convenience, you can download a copy of this guide for hot springs near Mammoth Lakes or print it to take with you. It includes pictures and links within the article. It’s ad-free and handy for on the go.
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Hot Springs Near Mammoth Lakes

1. Pulkey’s Pool

Pulkey’s Pool is the first hot spring that I stumbled upon and it was quite the introduction to hot tubbing it like a local. I had come straight from a hike so I changed in the back of my SUV and made my way down the path on a mission to experience this hot spring.

As I approached and caught a glimpse of Pulkey’s Pool, a man yelled out letting me know that it was clothing optional. Let’s just say that I had no clue people soaked nude before coming! At that moment I realized I had three options.

Turn around and run back to my car like a prude, act like no big deal and jump in with him or jump in sans bathing suit too. I chose option two and jumped in with my suit on…

Pulkey's Pool is one of the clothing optional hot springs!
Pulkey’s Pool is one of the clothing-optional hot springs!

At first it was a little bit awkward but before I knew it we were having a great conversation and it wasn’t a big deal at all. Another local joined and it seems many locals take a dip regularly and think the waters are not only soothing but therapeutic for their sore bodies.

The creeks of hot water that supply the pool for hot soaking!
The creeks of hot water that supply the pool for hot soaking!

Note: Pulkey’s Pool can fit 4 – 6 people comfortably without getting weird especially if people are naked. Lol. Just saying…

Directions: Pulkey’s Pool is the easiest to reach as it is prettifying straightforward. From Mammoth Lakes, turn left onto Benton Crossing Road (you will see the charming green church on the corner) off of Highway 395. Drive about 3.0 miles on Benton Crossing Rd and turn left soon after crossing the cattle guard.

You will see a dirt road with a small parking lot. Park and take the path behind you for about 2-5 minutes. As the path climbs slightly you will see Pulkey!

2. Wild Willy’s 

Wild Willy’s might be one of the most popular of the bunch and is also referred to as Crowley’s Hot Springs. It is quite close to Pulkey’s Pool but a little farther out off of Benton Crossing Road. I think it is most likely more popular as there is more than one pool offering more options if it gets crowded.

From the parking lot, it is about a 5-8 minute walk to the hot springs
From the parking lot, it is about a 5-8 minute walk to the hot springs

Although I was told that Wild Willy’s is more family-friendly, don’t be surprised if you see nudity. After walking about 5 minutes down the gravel and wooden boardwalk, you will see one larger pool with steaming hot water misting off the top.

Walking on the boardwalk path to Wild Willy's hot springs
Walking on the boardwalk path to Wild Willy’s hot springs
At the end of the path is your own natural hot tub!
At the end of the path is your own natural hot tub!

If you walk just a little further, you will see another smaller pool that is probably best for two. I was fortunate to have the larger pool all to myself and was stunned at the beauty of the surrounding mountain range and the solitude of being out in nature.

There are a few hot spring pools here that makes it unique from others
There are a few hot spring pools here that makes it unique from others

The only negative with Wild Willy’s is that a good portion of the boardwalk is gravel, so wearing shoes rather than sandals will be easier to walk in. But once you reach the two hot springs, you have made it to paradise!

From what I heard, this is a family friendly area meaning swim suits required!
From what I heard, this is a family-friendly area meaning swim suits required!

Directions: From Mammoth Lakes, turn left onto Benton Crossing Road off of Highway 395 (can’t miss it with the green church on the corner). Drive for about 2.9 miles and after the cattle guard turn right onto a dirt road. The turn to Wild Willy’s is before you turn off for Pulkey’s!

Once you have turned right onto the dirt road, drive about 1.5-miles until you reach a parking lot. From there you can see the boardwalk leading off into the distance.

3. Hot Tub or Rock Tub

Many of the hot springs in the area might have more than one name depending on who you ask. Hot Tub or Rock Tub is on the opposite side of Benton Crossing Road from the two above. When you arrive it literally looks like a real hot tub!

It really does look like a small hot tub!
It really does look like a small hot tub!

You can see from the photos that there is a pipe that is pumping the hot water into the small pool from about 100 yards away. Because of the distance the water needs to travel, I think it must cool off a bit.

It might explain why this tub feels a little cooler than some of the others. But not 100% sure on that…

Rock Tub is a bit small and perfect for two, maybe 4...
Rock Tub is a bit small and perfect for two, maybe 4…
You can see the pipe that pumps water into the adorable tub!
You can see the pipe that pumps water into the adorable tub!

I would suggest that Rock Tub sits 2-4 comfortably. I even saw a motorhome camping out right near the tub. A perfect spot to relax and have all to yourself when no one else is there.

Directions: From Mammoth Lakes, turn left onto Benton Crossing Road (and yes, pass that green church again!). Drive on Benton Crossing Road and turn left onto Whitmore Tubs Road (it is the first road on the left).

At about 1-mile, turn right onto the second dirt road you see. Park in a small clearing/lot and walk around the corner and there it is!

4. Crab Cooker

Ok you only want to check out the Crab Cooker if you have a truck or SUV as the road to it is extremely bumpy and tough to drive. Basically having a high-clearance vehicle is key. Halfway through I thought about turning around but pushed on in my desire to see it!

Once you park in the dirt lot, turn and walk across the dirt road opposite of where you parked. You will see a trail that leads to the Crab Cooker about 100 yards away. There were people in it at the time so I didn’t get a shot of it. I didn’t want to make them get out as I had gotten so many great shots at the other hot springs.

The Crab Cooker looks like a blend between the Pulkey Pool and Rock Tub and would comfortably fit 4 possibly 6 if you all know each other. Oh if you are wondering about its name, it is hot enough to cook crabs in! About 150 F There is a valve to cool off the steamy hot temperatures.

This is another hot spring where you can camp nearby if you want to experience the hot springs morning, day and night! You just can’t camp right at the hot springs.

Directions: From Mammoth Lakes, turn left onto Benton Crossing Road off of Highway 395. Drive until you see Whitmore Tubs Road and turn left onto it. If you have successfully made it to Rock Tub (#4), then drive past it. Then turn right onto the second dirt road past Rock Tub.

After driving for about a half-mile, the road will split. Veer left and continue on about another half mile to you see the dirt parking area.

5. Shepherd Hot Springs

There is something about Shepherd Hot Springs that I really loved, most likely for the stunning view and serenity of soaking in the pool all alone. I visited in the off-season of the fall so it is why I got lucky in having many of these spots to myself or with only 1 or 2 others.

As you can see, cement rock was added to form a perfect hot-tubbing spot to sit back and enjoy the awesome views of the meadow and Sierra Nevada mountains. The pool is a few feet deep and even has a bench built in to sit on!

Shepard's Hot Springs is one of my favorites for the view...
Shepherd Hot Springs is one of my favorites for the view…

From what I have heard, all of the hot springs locations can get very busy in the summer months so be prepared to wait your turn. More so if you are there at sunset. Shepherd’s is a good fit up to 4 – 6 people like most of the other natural hot springs.

Shepherd's Hot Springs seems to get more traffic for its easier access
Shepherd Hot Springs seems to get more traffic for its easier access

Directions: From Mammoth Lakes drive south on Highway 395 and turn left onto Benton Crossing Road like all the hot springs listed so far. Once on Benton Crossing Rd, turn left onto Whitmore Tubs Rd. The turn-off to Shepherd Hot Springs is the 6th dirt road on the right from once you are on Whitmore Tubs Rd.

It is also past Rock Tub and Crab Cooker in case you were wondering. Once you turn on the 6th dirt road or the one after Crab Cooker Hot Springs, you will reach the idyllic hot tub in no time! Even though it is easier to access, I found Shepherd to feel more isolated in a good way.

6. Travertine Hot Springs

The Travertine Hot Springs is not quite in Mammoth Lakes per se but they are somewhat close and worth mentioning for their magical setting! Expect an hour drive from Mammoth Lakes before you can dip into the turquoise-green waters of Travertine’s natural pools.

A short walk from the parking area you come around to seeing this!
A short walk from the parking area you come around to seeing this!

If you are planning on visiting Bodie Ghost Town, then don’t miss out on visiting the Travertine Hot Springs before or after your visit as they are both in the town of Bridgeport and not too far away from each other.

The Travertine Hot Springs is the most unique looking
The Travertine Hot Springs is the most unique looking

There are multiple pools that vary a bit in temperature, some hotter than others. It almost looks like many small private tubs that are ideal for two.

There are about 6 hot spring pools with a few that are super tiny and manmade right next to the parking area. If you walk out further off the trail into the distance you might be surprised with finding more!

There are multiple small pools here
There are multiple small pools here
The water has a pretty blue-gray color...
The water has a pretty blue-gray color…

Directions: From Mammoth Lakes, drive north for about 50 mins to the town of Bridgeport. Turn right onto Jack Sawyer Road right after the Bridgeport Ranger Station. Follow the sign that says to “Travertine Hot Springs” and go onto the dirt road for about 1-mile.

The road with end when you see a dirt parking lot and bathrooms. Follow the trail to see the enchanting natural hot springs ahead!

7. Buckeye Hot Springs

Buckeye Hot Springs is the only hot spring that I didn’t get the chance to visit and experience for myself. But I have heard great things about it and it’s one that I will definitely visit on my next trip to the Mammoth Lakes area.

Near the town of Bridgeport and Travertine Hot Springs is Buckeye that is a bit secluded on a hillside. There are a few pools that you can access via a short but steep hike down to. The hot spring water spills down from above and into pools below.

Directions: From Mammoth Lakes, drive about an hour north on Highway 395 to the town of Bridgeport. Past the turnoff to Travertine Hot Springs, continue on Hwy 395 until you reach Twin Lakes Road. Turn left onto Twin Lakes Rd and continue until you reach Buckeye Road. Turn right onto Buckeye Rd and the parking to the springs will be on your right.

Gear For Visiting The Hot Springs

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Enjoy Hot Tubbing!

I really love how none of these hot springs have the smelly sulfur odor (rotten eggs) that I thought they would thankfully. I bet you never realized how many awesome hot springs near Mammoth Lakes there are, right? Now you are set to head out on your own journey to find these miraculous hot springs!

Get A PDF Of This Guide For Your Trip

For your convenience, you can download a copy of this guide for hot springs near Mammoth Lakes or print it to take with you. It includes pictures and links within the article. It’s ad-free and handy for on the go.
Hot Springs Near Mammoth Lakes Guide Mock Up

Buy Hot Springs In Mammoth Lakes PDF Travel Guide Today!

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Looking for the most beautiful natural hot springs in California? Although they can be an adventure to find, I’ll show you where to locate the most amazing hot springs near Mammoth Lakes. Explore Mammoth’s hot pools in this guide!

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50 Comments

  1. Hi! I’m planning on going this weekend April 3rd wondering how it would be now or is there is snow. Any tips? Thank you!

    1. Hi Maritza! I’m not there now but looking at live webcams of the area there doesn’t seem to be snow on the ground or just small patches. Only on the mountains or higher up. That being said, that could change if they get snow. If you want to be sure, stop in at the Mammoth Visitor Center at the entrance of town and they can verify. Have a great time! 🙂

  2. Heading to Mammoth next week & this is great info! I’ve seen some of these pools on Instagram & always wondered where they were…now I know! Thanks : )

  3. In the Winter months, Hwy 120 and Hwy 108 close, making the trip from San Francisco much longer than 6 hours. Just a little tid but if info. for travelers who are unfamiliar with CA geography. Great article, I was super impressed after visiting this area. The hot springs are amazing and a little out of this world!

    1. Thank you! Yes, it will definitely take much longer in the winter months. The times I listed was more for the spring through fall months but good to note! It is indeed such a wonderful place to visit for so much beauty! 🙂

    1. Over the years I have been in the spring through fall. This trip was in October and November with no snow. There is snow up there now but not sure how easy the roads are to access right now. If you go to the Mammoth Visitor Center, they can give you more up to date info on weather conditions. The center is right as you enter the town of Mammoth. I would likely stick to Pulkey’s and maybe Wild Willy’s as long as there isn’t too much snow. Enjoy!

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