# Bumpass Hell, California

Bumpass Hell in California. 199°F (93°C). Short Walk · Public Land. Plumas County.

- Page: https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/california/bumpass-hell
- Source: Soaking Springs, researched and maintained by Armen Suny
- Updated: 2026-09-14

## Can you soak at Bumpass Hell?

Not at the source. The water leaves the ground at 199°F, hot enough to burn skin. It's a short walk from the road. It's on National Park Service land.

## Key facts

| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Source water temperature | 199°F (93°C) (USGS record; developed pools are often cooled) |
| pH | 6.9 (Neutral) |
| Total dissolved solids | 42 mg/L |
| Elevation | 8,017 ft |
| Access | Short Walk · Public Land, 0.8 mi from the nearest road (Lassen Peak Highway) |
| Land | Lassen Volcanic National Park, National Park Service |
| County | Plumas County |
| Nearest town | Chester |
| Coordinates | 40.45500, -121.50100 |
| Best months to soak | December, January, February (largest gap between water and average air temperature) |
| Nearest campground | SUMMIT LAKE SOUTH, 4.7 mi |

## Soaking safety

**Very Hot Source, Use Extreme Caution.** At 199°F, the source water at Bumpass Hell is hot enough to cause burns. Some hot springs this hot have cooler side pools or downstream areas suitable for soaking. Always test the water temperature before entering.

## About Bumpass Hell

Bumpass Hell is a hydrothermal area in Plumas County's Lassen Volcanic National Park, roughly eighteen miles from Chester. OpenStreetMap labels this point Pyrite Pool. The water is at boiling, the most dangerous kind of thermal feature, and a national park sight to walk to and watch. Public access is open.

High ground at eight thousand feet, on National Park Service land. Lassen Peak Highway is the nearest road, and the walk in is about eight tenths of a mile from the highway. Snow averages over seventeen feet, with yearly precipitation near four feet. Summit Lake South campground is under five miles away, and the record lists nothing else for camping.

OpenStreetMap carries this feature as Pyrite Pool. The USGS holds a water sample from June 1981.

December through February are the best months listed, and in practice that means whenever the highway is open; seventeen feet of snow will have a say in that. Summit Lake South is the nearest campground, about five miles. The water will scald on contact. Stay on the park route. A 1981 USGS reading showed the water near neutral with low dissolved solids.

## Water chemistry

Lab sample from 1981-06-30 (Water Quality Portal).

| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| pH | 6.9 |
| Total dissolved solids | 42 mg/L |
| Calcium | 1.6 mg/L |
| Magnesium | 0.6 mg/L |
| Sodium | 2.2 mg/L |
| Sulfate | 0.6 mg/L |
| Chloride | 0.2 mg/L |

## Nearby

- Nearest city page: [Hot springs near Chester](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/near/california/chester), 6 mi away
- State page: [Hot springs in California](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/california)
- [Sulphur Works, Tophet Hot Springs, CA](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/california/sulphur-works-tophet-hot-springs): 199°F source, pH 6.1, TDS 88 mg/L, Roadside, near Chester, Plumas County
- [Mill Creek Springs, CA](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/california/mill-creek-springs): 150°F source, pH 6.1, TDS 88 mg/L, Short Walk, near Shingletown, Shasta County
- [Devils Kitchen, CA](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/california/devils-kitchen-2): 203°F source, pH 6.7, TDS 49 mg/L, Hike, near Chester, Plumas County
- [Growler Hot Spring, CA](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/california/growler-hot-spring): 203°F source, Short Walk, near Chester, Plumas County
- [Hot Springs Valley, CA](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/california/hot-springs-valley): 83°F source, pH 6.7, TDS 49 mg/L, Short Walk, near Chester, Plumas County
- [Drakesbad, CA](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/california/drakesbad): 151°F source, pH 6.7, TDS 49 mg/L, Short Walk, near Chester, Plumas County

## Questions

**What is the water temperature at Bumpass Hell?**
Bumpass Hell has a water temperature of 199°F (93°C). This is considered a hot spring, well above body temperature.

**Where is Bumpass Hell located?**
Bumpass Hell is located in Plumas County, California at 8,017 feet elevation, near Chester. Coordinates: 40.4550°N, 121.5010°W.

**How do I get to Bumpass Hell?**
Bumpass Hell has Short Walk road access, with the nearest road being Lassen Peak Highway (0.8 mi from the road).

**Is Bumpass Hell free to visit?**
Bumpass Hell has Open access. It is managed by National Park Service.

**Can I camp near Bumpass Hell?**
Yes, Summit Lake South is located nearby (4.7 miles away).

**What minerals are in the water at Bumpass Hell?**
Water chemistry analysis shows the presence of pH, Total Dissolved Solids, Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Sulfate, Chloride. The pH is 6.9 (neutral). Total dissolved solids measure 42 mg/L.

**Is it safe to soak at Bumpass Hell?**
No, not at the source. The water at Bumpass Hell reaches 199°F, which can cause severe burns within seconds. Look for cooled side pools or downstream stretches, and test with a hand before anything else.

## Sources

- USGS thermal springs records, Water Quality Portal lab analyses, OpenStreetMap, Wikipedia/Wikidata, NOAA climate normals
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bumpass