# Elgin Mine, California

Elgin Mine in California. 156°F (69°C). Short Walk. Lake County.

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

## Can you soak at Elgin Mine?

Not at the source. The water leaves the ground at 156°F, hot enough to burn skin. It's a short walk from the road.

## Key facts

| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Source water temperature | 156°F (69°C) (USGS record; developed pools are often cooled) |
| Access | Short Walk, 0.1 mi from the nearest road |
| County | Lake County |
| Nearest town | Clearlake |
| Coordinates | 39.05700, -122.47500 |
| Best months to soak | January, December, February (largest gap between water and average air temperature) |
| Nearest campground | Little Stony, 16.8 mi |

## Soaking safety

**Very Hot Source, Use Extreme Caution.** At 156°F, the source water at Elgin Mine 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 Elgin Mine

Elgin Mine is a thermal site carrying the name of a mine in Lake County, eleven miles or so from Clearlake. Scalding water. Nothing on file names a landholder, and public entry is equally unrecorded. No elevation or chemistry is attached.

Reaching the point means roughly five hundred feet on foot from an unnamed road. This is Clear Lake hill country with moderate rain, close to two feet a year, and light snow in a normal winter. Little Stony is the nearest listed campground, around seventeen miles away.

Water there is well past the point where touching it is safe. Should you locate it, look and nothing more. Winter is what shows up as the best stretch. No owner is named, and nobody has said if the public may enter, so check with the county or a local land office before assuming anything. Fees and chemistry are equally unrecorded.

## Nearby

- Nearest city page: [Hot springs near Clearlake Oaks](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/near/california/clearlake-oaks), 10 mi away
- State page: [Hot springs in California](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/california)
- [Jones Fountain Of Life Spring, CA](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/california/jones-fountain-of-life-spring): 142°F source, pH 6.7, Roadside, near Clearlake, Lake County
- [Blank Spring, Manzanita Mine Sprs, CA](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/california/blank-spring-manzanita-mine-sprs): 112°F source, pH 6.7, Roadside, near Clearlake, Lake County
- [Abbott Mine, CA](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/california/abbott-mine): 86°F source, pH 6.7, Short Walk, near Clearlake, Lake County
- [Wilbur Springs, CA](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/california/wilbur-springs): 153°F source, pH 6.7, Roadside, near Clearlake, Lake County
- [Sulphur Spring, CA](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/california/sulphur-spring-1): 68°F source, Short Walk, near Clearlake Oaks, Lake County
- [Grizzly Spring, CA](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/california/grizzly-spring): 68°F source, Roadside, near Clearlake, Lake County

## Questions

**What is the water temperature at Elgin Mine?**
Elgin Mine has a water temperature of 156°F (69°C). This is considered a hot spring, well above body temperature.

**Where is Elgin Mine located?**
Elgin Mine is located in Lake County, California, near Clearlake. Coordinates: 39.0570°N, 122.4750°W.

**How do I get to Elgin Mine?**
Elgin Mine has Short Walk road access (0.1 mi from the road).

**Can I camp near Elgin Mine?**
Yes, Little Stony is located nearby (16.8 miles away).

**Is it safe to soak at Elgin Mine?**
No, not at the source. The water at Elgin Mine reaches 156°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