# Devils Kitchen, California

Devils Kitchen in California. 203°F (95°C). Hike · Public Land. Plumas County.

- Page: https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/california/devils-kitchen-2
- Source: Soaking Springs, researched and maintained by Armen Suny
- Updated: 2026-09-14

## Can you soak at Devils Kitchen?

No. The water at Devils Kitchen reaches 203°F, hot enough to scald.

## Key facts

| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Source water temperature | 203°F (95°C) (USGS record; developed pools are often cooled) |
| pH | 6.7 (Slightly Acidic) |
| Total dissolved solids | 49 mg/L |
| Elevation | 6,300 ft |
| Access | Hike · Public Land, 1.6 mi from the nearest road (Chester-Warner Valley Road) |
| Land | Lassen Volcanic National Park, National Park Service |
| County | Plumas County |
| Nearest town | Chester |
| Coordinates | 40.44000, -121.43400 |
| Best months to soak | December, January, February (largest gap between water and average air temperature) |
| Nearest campground | Warner Valley Campground, 2.1 mi |

## Soaking safety

**Dangerously Hot, Not Safe for Soaking.** Devils Kitchen reaches 203°F, far above safe soaking levels. Contact with this water will cause severe burns. Look for cooled downstream pools or view from a safe distance only.

## About Devils Kitchen

The Devils Kitchen in Lassen Volcanic National Park is a hydrothermal area where the water comes out close to boiling, reached on foot from the Warner Valley side. Plumas County, about fourteen miles from Chester. Scalding water makes this a place to walk through and look at. Access is open and the land belongs to the National Park Service.

A mile and a half of trail leads in from Chester-Warner Valley Road. The basin is high country, and the winters are no joke. Seventeen feet of snow piles up in an average season, with precipitation close to four feet. Road and trail both go under for months. Warner Valley Campground is the closest camp listed, a couple of miles off.

The months on file as best are December through February, which does not square with the snow totals; plan around the snow instead. Keep back from the water; it is scalding. A 1981 sample showed a near-neutral pH and little dissolved mineral for water this hot. Warner Valley Campground sits about two miles off, and park rules apply.

## Water chemistry

Lab sample from 1981-09-09 (Water Quality Portal).

| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| pH | 6.7 |
| Total dissolved solids | 49 mg/L |
| Calcium | 6.4 mg/L |
| Magnesium | 2.3 mg/L |
| Sodium | 1.8 mg/L |
| Sulfate | 0.4 mg/L |
| Chloride | 3.2 mg/L |

## Nearby

- Nearest city page: [Hot springs near Chester](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/near/california/chester), 2 mi away
- State page: [Hot springs in California](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/california)
- [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
- [Boiling Springs Lake, CA](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/california/boiling-springs-lake): 190°F source, Short Walk, near Chester, Plumas County
- [Terminal Geyser, CA](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/california/terminal-geyser): 205°F source, Short Walk, near Chester, Plumas County
- [Bumpass Hell, CA](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/california/bumpass-hell): 199°F source, pH 6.9, TDS 42 mg/L, Short Walk, 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

## Questions

**What is the water temperature at Devils Kitchen?**
Devils Kitchen has a water temperature of 203°F (95°C). This is considered a hot spring, well above body temperature.

**Where is Devils Kitchen located?**
Devils Kitchen is located in Plumas County, California at 6,300 feet elevation, near Chester. Coordinates: 40.4400°N, 121.4340°W.

**How do I get to Devils Kitchen?**
Devils Kitchen has Hike road access, with the nearest road being Chester-Warner Valley Road (1.6 mi from the road).

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

**Can I camp near Devils Kitchen?**
Yes, Warner Valley Campground is located nearby (2.1 miles away).

**What minerals are in the water at Devils Kitchen?**
Water chemistry analysis shows the presence of pH, Total Dissolved Solids, Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Sulfate, Chloride. The pH is 6.7 (slightly acidic). Total dissolved solids measure 49 mg/L.

**Is it safe to soak at Devils Kitchen?**
No, not at the source. The water at Devils Kitchen reaches 203°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