# Hot Springs Valley, California

Hot Springs Valley in California. 83°F (28°C). Short Walk · Public Land. Plumas County.

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

## Can you soak at Hot Springs Valley?

The water leaves the ground at 83°F, about as warm as a heated pool. It's a short walk from the road. It's on National Park Service land. We haven't confirmed whether it has a pool or charges a fee.

## Key facts

| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Source water temperature | 83°F (28°C) (USGS record; developed pools are often cooled) |
| pH | 6.7 (Slightly Acidic) |
| Total dissolved solids | 49 mg/L |
| Elevation | 5,816 ft |
| Access | Short Walk · Public Land, 0.9 mi from the nearest road (Chester-Warner Valley Road) |
| Land | Lassen Volcanic National Park, National Park Service |
| County | Plumas County |
| Nearest town | Chester |
| Coordinates | 40.44000, -121.42000 |
| Best months to soak | December, January, February (largest gap between water and average air temperature) |
| Nearest campground | Warner Valley Campground, 1.3 mi |

## About Hot Springs Valley

Hot Springs Valley is a thermal point inside Lassen Volcanic National Park, Plumas County, about fourteen miles from Chester. The water is warm, below body temperature, and very low in dissolved minerals by the USGS sample. Access is listed as open. National Park Service rules apply to anything you do at the water.

From Chester-Warner Valley Road it is close to a mile on foot. Warner Valley Campground lies barely more than a mile from the spring. At nearly six thousand feet inside the park, winter snow is very deep and the year is wet. This is Park Service land with a National Park designation.

The spring lies within Lassen Volcanic National Park. A USGS sample from September 1981 found almost nothing dissolved in the water.

Warner Valley Campground is the obvious base, a short distance off. the best months on record says winter, which conflicts with the snowfall; check the park's road status before trusting the month figure. The water is warm and cannot burn anyone. Park rules govern bathing; ask before getting in. The water sample is from 1981.

## Water chemistry

Lab sample from 1981-09-09 (Water Quality Portal).

| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| pH | 6.7 |
| Total dissolved solids | 49 mg/L |
| Calcium | 6.4 mg/L |
| Magnesium | 2.3 mg/L |
| Sodium | 1.8 mg/L |
| Sulfate | 0.4 mg/L |
| Chloride | 3.2 mg/L |

## Nearby

- Nearest city page: [Hot springs near Chester](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/near/california/chester), 1 mi away
- State page: [Hot springs in California](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/california)
- [Drakesbad, CA](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/california/drakesbad): 151°F source, pH 6.7, TDS 49 mg/L, Short Walk, near Chester, Plumas County
- [Devils Kitchen, CA](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/california/devils-kitchen-2): 203°F source, pH 6.7, TDS 49 mg/L, Hike, near Chester, Plumas County
- [Boiling Springs Lake, CA](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/california/boiling-springs-lake): 190°F source, Short Walk, near Chester, Plumas County
- [Terminal Geyser, CA](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/california/terminal-geyser): 205°F source, Short Walk, near Chester, Plumas County
- [Bumpass Hell, CA](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/california/bumpass-hell): 199°F source, pH 6.9, TDS 42 mg/L, Short Walk, near Chester, Plumas County
- [Growler Hot Spring, CA](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/california/growler-hot-spring): 203°F source, Short Walk, near Chester, Plumas County

## Questions

**What is the water temperature at Hot Springs Valley?**
Hot Springs Valley has a water temperature of 83°F (28°C). This is a warm thermal spring.

**Where is Hot Springs Valley located?**
Hot Springs Valley is located in Plumas County, California at 5,816 feet elevation, near Chester. Coordinates: 40.4400°N, 121.4200°W.

**How do I get to Hot Springs Valley?**
Hot Springs Valley has Short Walk road access, with the nearest road being Chester-Warner Valley Road (0.9 mi from the road).

**Is Hot Springs Valley free to visit?**
Hot Springs Valley has Open access. It is managed by National Park Service.

**Can I camp near Hot Springs Valley?**
Yes, Warner Valley Campground is located nearby (1.3 miles away).

**What minerals are in the water at Hot Springs Valley?**
Water chemistry analysis shows the presence of pH, Total Dissolved Solids, Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Sulfate, Chloride. The pH is 6.7 (slightly acidic). Total dissolved solids measure 49 mg/L.

## Sources

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