# Paoha Island Springs, California

Paoha Island Springs in California. 181°F (83°C). Hike · Public Land. Mono County.

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

## Can you soak at Paoha Island Springs?

Not at the source. The water leaves the ground at 181°F, hot enough to burn skin. Reaching it takes a hike.

## Key facts

| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Source water temperature | 181°F (83°C) (USGS record; developed pools are often cooled) |
| Elevation | 6,388 ft |
| Access | Hike · Public Land, 2.9 mi from the nearest road |
| Land | Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, CITY |
| County | Mono County |
| Nearest town | Bridgeport |
| Coordinates | 37.99300, -119.02800 |
| Best months to soak | December, January, February (largest gap between water and average air temperature) |
| Nearest campground | Lower Virginia Creek Primitive Campground, 11.9 mi |

## Soaking safety

**Very Hot Source, Use Extreme Caution.** At 181°F, the source water at Paoha Island 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 Paoha Island Springs

Paoha Island Springs is a scalding thermal feature in Mono County, with water that comes out far above bath temperature, hot enough to cook. The land is held by the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power and access is on record as open. Bridgeport is the nearest town, around twenty miles away. The springs are reached on foot, a hike of close to three miles from the nearest road.

Getting there means walking in across ground the record does not describe. The elevation is high basin country, above six thousand feet, and winters drop several feet of snow. Summers are dry. The land is city-owned, a Los Angeles Department of Water and Power holding, and no road is named in the file. Lower Virginia Creek Primitive Campground is about twelve miles away.

Do not get in this water. At the recorded temperature it will scald skin on contact. The listed season is winter, which at this elevation and snowfall is a strange recommendation; the hike in will be snowbound most of those months, so judge the timing yourself. The water was sampled in 2018. Access is open per the record, and no fee is listed.

## Nearby

- Nearest city page: [Hot springs near Clovis](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/near/california/clovis), 88 mi away
- State page: [Hot springs in California](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/california)
- [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
- [Hot Spring, CA](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/california/hot-spring-mono-county-2): 151°F source, Roadside, 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
- [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
- [Unnamed thermal spring, CA](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/california/unnamed-spring-mono-county-7): 97°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

## Questions

**What is the water temperature at Paoha Island Springs?**
Paoha Island Springs has a water temperature of 181°F (83°C). This is considered a hot spring, well above body temperature.

**Where is Paoha Island Springs located?**
Paoha Island Springs is located in Mono County, California at 6,388 feet elevation, near Bridgeport. Coordinates: 37.9930°N, 119.0280°W.

**How do I get to Paoha Island Springs?**
Paoha Island Springs has Hike road access (2.9 mi from the road).

**Is Paoha Island Springs free to visit?**
Paoha Island Springs has Open access. It is managed by CITY.

**Can I camp near Paoha Island Springs?**
Yes, Lower Virginia Creek Primitive Campground is located nearby (11.9 miles away).

**Is it safe to soak at Paoha Island Springs?**
No, not at the source. The water at Paoha Island Springs reaches 181°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