# Leonards Hot Springs, California

Leonards Hot Springs in California. 144°F (62°C). Short Walk. Modoc County.

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

## Can you soak at Leonards Hot Springs?

Not at the source. The water leaves the ground at 144°F, hot enough to burn skin. It's a short walk from the road.

## Key facts

| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Source water temperature | 144°F (62°C) (USGS record; developed pools are often cooled) |
| Elevation | 4,549 ft |
| Access | Short Walk, 0.1 mi from the nearest road (County Road 18) |
| County | Modoc County |
| Nearest town | Alturas |
| Coordinates | 41.60000, -120.08800 |
| Best months to soak | December, January, February (largest gap between water and average air temperature) |
| Nearest campground | Pepperdine Equestrian Campground, 13.0 mi |

## Soaking safety

**Very Hot Source, Use Extreme Caution.** At 144°F, the source water at Leonards Hot 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 Leonards Hot Springs

Leonards Hot Springs, in Modoc County about twenty-five miles from Alturas, comes out of the ground too hot to touch. County Road 18 gets you within a short walk of it. The owner is unrecorded, and so is the access status. There is a photo in the record. Neither a pool nor bathing activity is described on file.

About a tenth of a mile from County Road 18 on foot. The country is around forty-five hundred feet, dry, with winters that drop a little over four feet of snow. Sixteen inches of precipitation fall across the year. Thirteen miles separate it from Pepperdine Equestrian Campground.

Winter tops the record's list of months. Stay out of the water and away from its edge; contact means an instant scald. The land question is open, no owner on file, so be ready to turn around. Fee and chemistry are blank. The USGS has no site number here.

## Nearby

- Nearest city page: [Hot springs near Alturas](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/near/california/alturas), 30 mi away
- State page: [Hot springs in California](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/california)
- [Seyferth Hot Springs, CA](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/california/seyferth-hot-springs): 185°F source, Roadside, near Alturas, Modoc County
- [Hot Springs (Surprise Valley), CA](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/california/hot-springs-surprise-valley): 208°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
- [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
- [Fort Bidwell Hot Spring, CA](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/california/fort-bidwell-hot-spring): 113°F source, Roadside, near Lakeview, Lake County

## Questions

**What is the water temperature at Leonards Hot Springs?**
Leonards Hot Springs has a water temperature of 144°F (62°C). This is considered a hot spring, well above body temperature.

**Where is Leonards Hot Springs located?**
Leonards Hot Springs is located in Modoc County, California at 4,549 feet elevation, near Alturas. Coordinates: 41.6000°N, 120.0880°W.

**How do I get to Leonards Hot Springs?**
Leonards Hot Springs has Short Walk road access, with the nearest road being County Road 18 (0.1 mi from the road).

**Can I camp near Leonards Hot Springs?**
Yes, Pepperdine Equestrian Campground is located nearby (13.0 miles away).

**Is it safe to soak at Leonards Hot Springs?**
No, not at the source. The water at Leonards Hot Springs reaches 144°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