# Hot Springs (Surprise Valley), California

Hot Springs (Surprise Valley) in California. 208°F (98°C). Roadside. Modoc County.

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

## Can you soak at Hot Springs (Surprise Valley)?

No. The water at Hot Springs (Surprise Valley) reaches 208°F, hot enough to scald.

## Key facts

| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Source water temperature | 208°F (98°C) (USGS record; developed pools are often cooled) |
| Elevation | 4,511 ft |
| Access | Roadside, 84 ft from the nearest road |
| County | Modoc County |
| Nearest town | Alturas |
| Coordinates | 41.53400, -120.07800 |
| Best months to soak | December, January, February (largest gap between water and average air temperature) |
| Nearest campground | Pepperdine Equestrian Campground, 10.3 mi |

## Soaking safety

**Dangerously Hot, Not Safe for Soaking.** Hot Springs (Surprise Valley) reaches 208°F, far above safe soaking levels. Contact with this water will cause severe burns. Look for cooled downstream pools or view from a safe distance only.

## About Hot Springs (Surprise Valley)

In Surprise Valley, Modoc County, this is one of the hottest sources on record, near boiling. Alturas is twenty-five miles off. It sits a few dozen feet from a road. The record lists no landowner and gives no access status. Treat it as a thing to see from a distance, and as a place where you need to know whose ground you are standing on before you step off the road.

Roadside, eighty-some feet from the pavement or gravel, the record does not specify. You are in the mid four thousands for elevation, in the northeast corner of the state. Four feet of snow, give or take, falls each winter; the rest of the year stays dry. Pepperdine Equestrian Campground, about ten miles off, is the closest listed.

December through February rate highest. Do not go near the water's edge. This water scalds instantly, and a slip would be a medical emergency. With no owner listed, assume private land until you learn otherwise. One photo is on file. Chemistry, fee, USGS site and flow are all blank.

## Nearby

- Nearest city page: [Hot springs near Alturas](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/near/california/alturas), 25 mi away
- State page: [Hot springs in California](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/california)
- [Leonards Hot Springs, CA](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/california/leonards-hot-springs): 144°F source, Short Walk, near Alturas, Modoc County
- [Seyferth Hot Springs, CA](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/california/seyferth-hot-springs): 185°F source, Roadside, near Alturas, Modoc County
- [Lake City Hot Springs, CA](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/california/lake-city-hot-springs): 207°F source, Short Walk, near Alturas, Modoc County
- [Twin (Vya) Spring, NV](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/nevada/twin-vya-spring): 71°F source, Short Walk, near Alturas, Modoc County
- [Hot Springs (Menlo Baths), CA](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/california/hot-springs-menlo-baths): 135°F source, Short Walk, near Alturas, Modoc County
- [Seeps (Hills Warm Spring), NV](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/nevada/seeps-hills-warm-spring): 83°F source, Short Walk, near Lakeview, Lake County

## Questions

**What is the water temperature at Hot Springs (Surprise Valley)?**
Hot Springs (Surprise Valley) has a water temperature of 208°F (98°C). This is considered a hot spring, well above body temperature.

**Where is Hot Springs (Surprise Valley) located?**
Hot Springs (Surprise Valley) is located in Modoc County, California at 4,511 feet elevation, near Alturas. Coordinates: 41.5340°N, 120.0780°W.

**How do I get to Hot Springs (Surprise Valley)?**
Hot Springs (Surprise Valley) has Roadside road access (84 ft from the road).

**Can I camp near Hot Springs (Surprise Valley)?**
Yes, Pepperdine Equestrian Campground is located nearby (10.3 miles away).

**Is it safe to soak at Hot Springs (Surprise Valley)?**
No, not at the source. The water at Hot Springs (Surprise Valley) reaches 208°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