# Hot Spring, California

Hot Spring in California. 151°F (66°C). Roadside · Public Land. Mono County.

- Page: https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/california/hot-spring-mono-county-2
- Source: Soaking Springs, researched and maintained by Armen Suny
- Updated: 2026-09-14

## Can you soak at Hot Spring?

Not at the source. The water leaves the ground at 151°F, hot enough to burn skin. You can drive right up to it. It's on US Forest Service land.

## Key facts

| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Source water temperature | 151°F (66°C) (USGS record; developed pools are often cooled) |
| Elevation | 6,452 ft |
| Access | Roadside · Public Land, 133 ft from the nearest road |
| Land | Inyo National Forest, US Forest Service |
| County | Mono County |
| Nearest town | Bridgeport |
| Coordinates | 38.04800, -119.08100 |
| Best months to soak | February, December, January (largest gap between water and average air temperature) |
| Nearest campground | Lower Virginia Creek Primitive Campground, 8.0 mi |

## Soaking safety

**Very Hot Source, Use Extreme Caution.** At 151°F, the source water at Hot Spring 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 Spring

Roadside and scalding. This unnamed Hot Spring in the Inyo National Forest lies about sixteen miles from Bridgeport in northern Mono County, and the water would cause serious burns. Forest Service land, and access is listed as open. It appears on the USGS thermal site list. Anyone hoping for a soak should read the temperature and move on.

The nearest road is a hundred and thirty-odd feet away, though the road has no name on file. Elevation is in the mid six thousands. Five feet of snow is a normal winter, and the year is dry. For camping the record gives Lower Virginia Creek Primitive Campground, eight miles distant.

The best-rated months are the cold ones, December to February. Keep hands and feet out of the water; it is well past scalding. Nothing on fee or chemistry. No photo either. The Forest Service owns it, so private land is no concern. The record says nothing about signage or barriers, so approach with care.

## Nearby

- Nearest city page: [Hot springs near Clovis](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/near/california/clovis), 91 mi away
- State page: [Hot springs in California](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/california)
- [Paoha Island Springs, CA](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/california/paoha-island-springs): 181°F source, Hike, near Bridgeport, Mono County
- [Unnamed thermal spring, CA](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/california/unnamed-spring-mono-county-5): 72°F source, Short Walk, near Bridgeport, Mono County
- [Unnamed thermal spring, CA](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/california/unnamed-spring-mono-county-6): 91°F source, Short Walk, near Mammoth Lakes, Mono County
- [Mono Basin Warm Springs, CA](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/california/mono-basin-warm-springs): 88°F source, Short Walk, near Mammoth Lakes, Mono County
- [Warm Spring, CA](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/california/warm-spring-mono-county): 77°F source, Short Walk, near Bridgeport, Mono County
- [The Hot Springs, CA](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/california/the-hot-springs-1): 113°F source, Short Walk, near Bridgeport, Mono County

## Questions

**What is the water temperature at Hot Spring?**
Hot Spring has a water temperature of 151°F (66°C). This is considered a hot spring, well above body temperature.

**Where is Hot Spring located?**
Hot Spring is located in Mono County, California at 6,452 feet elevation, near Bridgeport. Coordinates: 38.0480°N, 119.0810°W.

**How do I get to Hot Spring?**
Hot Spring has Roadside road access (133 ft from the road).

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

**Can I camp near Hot Spring?**
Yes, Lower Virginia Creek Primitive Campground is located nearby (8.0 miles away).

**Is it safe to soak at Hot Spring?**
No, not at the source. The water at Hot Spring reaches 151°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