# Democrat Hot Springs, California

Democrat Hot Springs in California. 115°F (46°C). Short Walk · Public Land. Kern County.

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

## Can you soak at Democrat Hot Springs?

The water leaves the ground at 115°F, a comfortable soaking temperature. It's a short walk from the road. It's on US Forest Service land. We haven't confirmed whether it has a pool or charges a fee.

## Key facts

| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Source water temperature | 115°F (46°C) (USGS record; developed pools are often cooled) |
| Elevation | 2,133 ft |
| Access | Short Walk · Public Land, 458 ft from the nearest road (Route 178) |
| Land | Sequoia National Forest, US Forest Service |
| County | Kern County |
| Nearest town | Bodfish |
| Coordinates | 35.52800, -118.66500 |
| Best months to soak | December, January, February (largest gap between water and average air temperature) |
| Nearest campground | OAK FLAT LOOKOUT, 2.4 mi |

## About Democrat Hot Springs

Democrat Hot Springs rises on the south bank of the Kern River in Sequoia National Forest, on the north side of Route 178. Open access, per our records. The water runs hot, past the point where most people can step straight in. Bodfish is about eleven miles away, and the Oak Flat Lookout campground is close by.

Lower Kern canyon, national forest land. The spring lies a few hundred feet off the highway, a short walk from Route 178. Winters bring light rain and a dusting of snow. Oak Flat Lookout campground is about two and a half miles away, the nearest camping we have on file.

Wikipedia says the spring was named for the Democratic political party. It sits 17 miles northeast of Bakersfield, on the south bank of the Kern River and the north side of State Route 178.

Best months per our data run December to February. The spring is open, on Forest Service land, and a short walk from the road. Oak Flat Lookout is the campground to use. Hot enough to hurt, past 110, so test it first. Nothing in our records about a fee.

## Nearby

- Nearest city page: [Hot springs near Bakersfield](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/near/california/bakersfield), 24 mi away
- State page: [Hot springs in California](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/california)
- [Spring (Hot), CA](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/california/spring-hot-kern-county): Warm, Short Walk, near Bodfish, Kern County
- [Delonegha Hot Springs, CA](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/california/delonegha-hot-springs): 112°F source, Roadside, near Bodfish, Kern County
- [Remington Hot Springs, CA](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/california/remington-hot-springs): Short Walk, near Bodfish, Kern County
- [Miracle Hot Sprs, Hobo Hot Sprs, CA](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/california/miracle-hot-sprs-hobo-hot-sprs): 119°F source, Roadside, near Bodfish, Kern County
- [Yates Hot Springs, CA](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/california/yates-hot-springs): 100°F source, Short Walk, near Bodfish, Kern County
- [Scovern Hot Springs, CA](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/california/scovern-hot-springs): 133°F source, Roadside, near Lake Isabella, Kern County

## Questions

**What is the water temperature at Democrat Hot Springs?**
Democrat Hot Springs has a water temperature of 115°F (46°C). This is considered a hot spring, well above body temperature.

**Where is Democrat Hot Springs located?**
Democrat Hot Springs is located in Kern County, California at 2,133 feet elevation, near Bodfish. Coordinates: 35.5280°N, 118.6650°W.

**How do I get to Democrat Hot Springs?**
Democrat Hot Springs has Short Walk road access, with the nearest road being Route 178 (458 ft from the road).

**Is Democrat Hot Springs free to visit?**
Democrat Hot Springs has Open access. It is managed by US Forest Service.

**Can I camp near Democrat Hot Springs?**
Yes, Oak Flat Lookout is located nearby (2.4 miles away).

**Is it safe to soak at Democrat Hot Springs?**
With care. At 115°F Democrat Hot Springs is hot enough to need short sessions, fifteen to twenty minutes, and plenty of water. Enter slowly and get out if you feel light-headed.

## Sources

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