# Mill Creek Springs, California

Mill Creek Springs in California. 150°F (66°C). Short Walk · Public Land. Shasta County.

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

## Can you soak at Mill Creek Springs?

Not at the source. The water leaves the ground at 150°F, hot enough to burn skin. It's a short walk from the road. It's on National Park Service land.

## Key facts

| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Source water temperature | 150°F (66°C) (USGS record; developed pools are often cooled) |
| pH | 6.1 (Slightly Acidic) |
| Total dissolved solids | 88 mg/L |
| Elevation | 7,884 ft |
| Access | Short Walk · Public Land, 0.7 mi from the nearest road |
| Land | Lassen Volcanic National Park, National Park Service |
| County | Shasta County |
| Nearest town | Shingletown |
| Coordinates | 40.45700, -121.54500 |
| Best months to soak | December, February, January (largest gap between water and average air temperature) |
| Nearest campground | MANZANITA LAKE GROUP CAMPGROUND, 5.1 mi |

## Soaking safety

**Very Hot Source, Use Extreme Caution.** At 150°F, the source water at Mill Creek 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 Mill Creek Springs

On the Shasta County side of Lassen Volcanic National Park, Mill Creek Springs puts out water that will scald, about seventeen miles from Shingletown. Access is open on the record. A 1981 USGS sample shows it slightly acidic and low in minerals. It has a photo. Everything here falls under park regulations.

The walk from the nearest road is about seven tenths of a mile; the row leaves the road nameless. Elevation is nearly eight thousand feet. Cold, with an average temperature well below comfortable and a very snowy winter. Land owner is the Park Service. Manzanita Lake Group Campground is about five miles off.

Part of Lassen Volcanic National Park's thermal ground. The USGS water sample is from June 1981.

Winter wins the month ranking, which at this snowfall means the record is probably not about access; the park's own season information will be the better guide. Do not touch the water. Manzanita Lake Group Campground is where the record puts camping. No fee recorded. Chemistry dates to 1981.

## Water chemistry

Lab sample from 1981-06-30 (Water Quality Portal).

| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| pH | 6.1 |
| Total dissolved solids | 88 mg/L |
| Calcium | 13 mg/L |
| Magnesium | 1.5 mg/L |
| Sodium | 3.7 mg/L |
| Sulfate | 25 mg/L |
| Chloride | 0.4 mg/L |

## Nearby

- Nearest city page: [Hot springs near Shingletown](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/near/california/shingletown), 0 mi away
- State page: [Hot springs in California](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/california)
- [Sulphur Works, Tophet Hot Springs, CA](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/california/sulphur-works-tophet-hot-springs): 199°F source, pH 6.1, TDS 88 mg/L, Roadside, 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
- [Morgan Hot Spring, CA](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/california/morgan-hot-spring): 205°F source, 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
- [Hot Springs Valley, CA](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/california/hot-springs-valley): 83°F source, pH 6.7, TDS 49 mg/L, Short Walk, near Chester, Plumas County

## Questions

**What is the water temperature at Mill Creek Springs?**
Mill Creek Springs has a water temperature of 150°F (66°C). This is considered a hot spring, well above body temperature.

**Where is Mill Creek Springs located?**
Mill Creek Springs is located in Shasta County, California at 7,884 feet elevation, near Shingletown. Coordinates: 40.4570°N, 121.5450°W.

**How do I get to Mill Creek Springs?**
Mill Creek Springs has Short Walk road access (0.7 mi from the road).

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

**Can I camp near Mill Creek Springs?**
Yes, Manzanita Lake Group Campground is located nearby (5.1 miles away).

**What minerals are in the water at Mill Creek Springs?**
Water chemistry analysis shows the presence of pH, Total Dissolved Solids, Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Sulfate, Chloride. The pH is 6.1 (slightly acidic). Total dissolved solids measure 88 mg/L.

**Is it safe to soak at Mill Creek Springs?**
No, not at the source. The water at Mill Creek Springs reaches 150°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