# Essex Springs, California

Essex Springs in California. 91°F (33°C). Roadside. Modoc County.

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

## Can you soak at Essex Springs?

The water leaves the ground at 91°F, a comfortable soaking temperature. You can drive right up to it. We haven't confirmed whether it has a pool or charges a fee.

## Key facts

| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Source water temperature | 91°F (33°C) (USGS record; developed pools are often cooled) |
| Elevation | 4,370 ft |
| Access | Roadside, 247 ft from the nearest road |
| County | Modoc County |
| Nearest town | Alturas |
| Coordinates | 41.49200, -120.70000 |
| Best months to soak | January, December, February (largest gap between water and average air temperature) |
| Nearest campground | Pepperdine Equestrian Campground, 23.9 mi |

## About Essex Springs

Out in Modoc County, under eight miles from Alturas, Essex Springs comes up barely into soaking range, the low end of warm enough to sit in. It sits beside a road. Owner and access status are missing from the record, so standing next to it legally is an open question.

A couple hundred feet off a road that goes nameless on file, in high plateau country. Winters are cold; the average year brings nearly four feet of snow, and temperatures average around fifty. Rainfall is modest. Pepperdine Equestrian Campground, about 24 miles off, is as close as camping gets on record, so this is a day stop.

Winter is listed as the best season, yet four feet of snow falls here, so the road may be a problem in the very months the record recommends; check conditions. Ownership and access are both unknown. The water is barely into soaking range, so on a cold day it may feel less warm than the number suggests. No fee is recorded.

## Nearby

- Nearest city page: [Hot springs near Alturas](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/near/california/alturas), 41 mi away
- State page: [Hot springs in California](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/california)
- [Spring, CA](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/california/spring-modoc-county-1): 81°F source, Roadside, near Alturas, Modoc County
- [Kelly Hot Spring, CA](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/california/kelly-hot-spring): 198°F source, Short Walk, near Alturas, Modoc County
- [Unnamed thermal spring, CA](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/california/unnamed-spring-modoc-county-1): 81°F source, Short Walk, near Alturas, Modoc County
- [Unnamed thermal spring, CA](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/california/unnamed-spring-modoc-county-3): 81°F source, Short Walk, near Alturas, Modoc County
- [Unnamed thermal spring, CA](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/california/unnamed-spring-modoc-county-2): 72°F source, Short Walk, near Alturas, Modoc County
- [Warm Spring, CA](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/california/warm-spring-modoc-county-2): 75°F source, Short Walk, near Alturas, Modoc County

## Questions

**What is the water temperature at Essex Springs?**
Essex Springs has a water temperature of 91°F (33°C). This is a warm thermal spring.

**Where is Essex Springs located?**
Essex Springs is located in Modoc County, California at 4,370 feet elevation, near Alturas. Coordinates: 41.4920°N, 120.7000°W.

**How do I get to Essex Springs?**
Essex Springs has Roadside road access (247 ft from the road).

**Can I camp near Essex Springs?**
Yes, Pepperdine Equestrian Campground is located nearby (23.9 miles away).

## Sources

- USGS thermal springs records, Water Quality Portal lab analyses, OpenStreetMap, Wikipedia/Wikidata, NOAA climate normals