Hot Spring
Hot Spring near Bridgeport emerges at 151°F just 130 feet from the road, making it perhaps the most accessible high-temperature thermal feature in the Eastern Sierra, with a robust 102°F rise above the area's cool alpine air.
This roadside thermal sits at 6,452 feet elevation on Inyo National Forest land, ringed by Jeffrey pine forest and the dramatic topography of the Sierra crest's eastern slope. The spring delivers measurable heat into cool mountain air, a sensory landmark in an otherwise temperate landscape.
The spring's accessibility reflects its proximity to a maintained road—likely a historic route connecting desert communities to high Sierra passes. Its emergence along the forest boundary suggests the presence of fault zones or fractures that allow deep thermal water to reach the surface.
Park at roadside pullouts along the access road. The spring is immediately visible and safe to approach; water temperature drops with distance downstream. Winter snow and ice may limit road access December through March. No facilities exist on-site.
Is Hot Spring worth visiting?
Best for
- Observing powerful hot springs
- Easy day trips
- Overnight camping trips
Not ideal for
- Casual soaking
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Rustic campsites with fire rings in Jeffrey Pine Forest. There is no trash service please pack out your trash.