Benton Hot Springs
Benton Hot Springs flows at 134 degrees Fahrenheit from the western Great Basin at 5,640 feet elevation, creating a thermal oasis in California's rain shadow desert.
The spring sits just 87 feet from the roadway at the edge of the Great Basin's arid landscape. Water emerges from a region receiving only 10 inches of annual precipitation, where 38 inches of snow falls seasonally, making the warm spring water especially valued during winter months.
Roadside access makes visitation straightforward via Highway 395. The spring offers strongest appeal during cooler months when temperature contrasts are most pronounced. Tuff Campground, 29 kilometers away, provides early-season access as one of the first regional campgrounds to open each spring.
The spring has supported human settlement for over a century, with the town of Benton growing directly around these geothermal waters. The location marks a significant geothermal feature where circulating water from depth emerges, tied to the Basin-and-Range structure that extends throughout the region.
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Overview Tuff Campground is situated along Rock Creek in the scenic Sierra Nevada Mountains of California. It is convenient to Tom's Place and U.S. Highway 395. At an elevation of 7,000 ft., it is lower than many of the region's campgrounds and thus frequently one of the first campgrounds to open in the spring. Popular activities include hiking, fishing, wildlife viewing and viewing the area's volcanic rock formations. Opening and closing dates for the season are dependent on weather. The c...
Benton Hot Springs sits at 5,640 feet above sea level, way above the mile-high mark. You may not feel the altitude strongly, but hot water still dehydrates you faster at elevation. UV is about 23% stronger than at sea level, so bring sunscreen and drink more water than you normally would.
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Benton Hot Springs is road-accessible, so you can bring more gear. The water runs hot, so extra hydration is key.
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