Dos Palmas Spring
Dos Palmas Spring emerges at 84°F from one of North America's most inhospitable environments—below sea level in the Colorado Desert east of the Salton Sea—creating a precious oasis for wildlife and human visitors.
The spring flows from elevated terrain at negative 51 feet elevation, surrounded by desert scrub and palms that mark this isolated water source. The landscape reflects extreme aridity, with only 3 inches of annual precipitation and air temperatures regularly exceeding 100°F in summer.
Dos Palmas Spring formed through groundwater circulation in the Colorado Desert, an extension of the Imperial Valley's complex hydrogeology. The spring sits within the Palm Springs/South Coast Bureau of Land Management field office, where geothermal resources remain relatively modest compared to other California features.
The spring lies 1,922 feet from Dos Palmas Spring Road and is accessible via a short walk on BLM land. Summer temperatures often exceed 105°F, making spring and fall the most comfortable visit times. Water temperature rises only 7°F above the region's annual average, making this a tepid thermal feature by hot spring standards. Access remains open year-round on public land.
Is Dos Palmas Spring worth visiting?
Best for
- Warm-water soaking
- Overnight camping trips
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