# Hot Creek Gorge Springs, California

Hot Creek Gorge Springs in California. 199°F (93°C). Short Walk · Public Land. Mono County.

- Page: https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/california/hot-creek-gorge-springs
- Source: Soaking Springs, researched and maintained by Armen Suny
- Updated: 2026-09-15

## Can you soak at Hot Creek Gorge Springs?

Not at the source. The water leaves the ground at 199°F, hot enough to burn skin. It's a short walk from the road. It's on US Forest Service land.

## Key facts

| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Source water temperature | 199°F (93°C) (USGS record; developed pools are often cooled) |
| pH | 8.0 (Slightly Alkaline) |
| Total dissolved solids | 1,170 mg/L |
| Elevation | 7,008 ft |
| Access | Short Walk · Public Land, 0.2 mi from the nearest road (Hot Creek Hatchery Road) |
| Land | Inyo National Forest, US Forest Service |
| County | Mono County |
| Nearest town | Mammoth Lakes |
| Coordinates | 37.66500, -118.82800 |
| Best months to soak | December, February, January (largest gap between water and average air temperature) |
| Nearest campground | SHERWIN CREEK, 6.5 mi |

## Soaking safety

**Very Hot Source, Use Extreme Caution.** At 199°F, the source water at Hot Creek Gorge Springs 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 Hot Creek Gorge Springs

Hot Creek Gorge Springs are the thermal vents along Hot Creek in the Inyo National Forest, about nine miles from Mammoth Lakes in Mono County. OpenStreetMap labels the place Hot Creek Geological Site. The water comes out near boiling. Access is open, on Forest Service land, a short walk from Hot Creek Hatchery Road.

Hot Creek Hatchery Road stops a few hundred yards shy of the springs, and the walk in is short. This is high country at seven thousand feet, with about seven feet of snow most winters and a cold yearly average. Sherwin Creek campground is about six and a half miles away.

The water is scalding. Keep out of it; the reading on file is within a few degrees of boiling. A 1980 sample showed alkaline water with high dissolved solids and chloride. Best months listed are midwinter, when snow is heavy here. Nothing on file about a fee. The USGS keeps a site number for it.

## Water chemistry

Lab sample from 1980-12-10 (Water Quality Portal).

| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| pH | 8 |
| Total dissolved solids | 1,170 mg/L |
| Chloride | 210 mg/L |

## Nearby

- Nearest city page: [Hot springs near Clovis](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/near/california/clovis), 75 mi away
- State page: [Hot springs in California](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/california)
- [Hot Creek Springs, CA](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/california/hot-creek-springs-1): 171°F source, pH 8.7, Roadside, near Mammoth Lakes, Mono County
- [The Tub, CA](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/california/the-tub): 167°F source, pH 7.3, Short Walk, near Mammoth Lakes, Mono County
- [Hot Springs, CA](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/california/hot-springs-mono-county): 129°F source, pH 7.3, Short Walk, near Mammoth Lakes, Mono County
- [Little Hot Creek Spring, CA](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/california/little-hot-creek-spring): 180°F source, pH 7.8, TDS 1,230 mg/L, Short Walk, near Mammoth Lakes, Mono County
- [Casa Diablo Hot Pool, CA](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/california/casa-diablo-hot-pool): 165°F source, pH 7.7, TDS 1,230 mg/L, Short Walk, near Mammoth Lakes, Mono County
- [Dehy Hot Spring, CA](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/california/dehy-hot-spring): 134°F source, pH 7.7, Short Walk, near Mammoth Lakes, Mono County

## Questions

**What is the water temperature at Hot Creek Gorge Springs?**
Hot Creek Gorge Springs has a water temperature of 199°F (93°C). This is considered a hot spring, well above body temperature.

**Where is Hot Creek Gorge Springs located?**
Hot Creek Gorge Springs is located in Mono County, California at 7,008 feet elevation, near Mammoth Lakes. Coordinates: 37.6650°N, 118.8280°W.

**How do I get to Hot Creek Gorge Springs?**
Hot Creek Gorge Springs has Short Walk road access, with the nearest road being Hot Creek Hatchery Road (0.2 mi from the road).

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

**Can I camp near Hot Creek Gorge Springs?**
Yes, Sherwin Creek is located nearby (6.5 miles away).

**What minerals are in the water at Hot Creek Gorge Springs?**
Water chemistry analysis shows the presence of pH, Total Dissolved Solids, Chloride. The pH is 8.0 (slightly alkaline). Total dissolved solids measure 1,170 mg/L.

**Is it safe to soak at Hot Creek Gorge Springs?**
No, not at the source. The water at Hot Creek Gorge Springs reaches 199°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