Bartlett Springs
Bartlett Springs produces water at an impressive 144 degrees Fahrenheit in Lake County's rugged Coast Ranges, delivering some of the region's hottest thermal discharge.
The spring requires a short walk of about 350 feet from the nearest road through chaparral and mixed woodland. The landscape receives 31.5 inches of annual precipitation, creating seasonal variation in flow and surrounded by the native vegetation typical of California's mid-elevation terrain.
The short walk keeps this spring accessible to visitors with moderate mobility. Best visited in cooler months when the extreme temperature contrasts most with the air. First-come, first-served camping at nearby Letts Lake offers flexible access.
These springs arise from the geologically active Coast Ranges, where tectonic activity drives thermal features. The 85-degree temperature differential above ambient air represents the geothermal gradient in this region, where deeper rock temperatures support sustained high-temperature water discharge.
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Overview This location is available on a first-come, first-served basis only. Visitors are required to physically arrive at the campground to purchase and claim a site.Once on-site, you are able to pay for your campsite(s) by scanning a QR code using the Recreation.gov mobile app, and the Scan and Pay feature.In order to utilize Scan & Pay on site, you will need to first download the free Recreation.gov mobile app https://www.recreation.gov/mobile-app prior to your arrival as some remote area...
Bartlett Springs is road-accessible, so you can bring more gear. The water is dangerously hot — bring water shoes and test pools carefully.
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