Scovern Hot Springs
Scovern Hot Springs, historically known as Agua Caliente, delivers impressively hot 133°F water in the Kern River Valley of the Southern Sierra Nevada. The 69-degree temperature differential makes this one of the region's premier thermal features.
The spring sits at 2,504 feet elevation virtually roadside, just 27 feet from the nearest access point. The landscape transitions between high desert and mountain terrain, with sagebrush, juniper, and scattered conifers. Lake Isabella, one of California's largest reservoirs, lies nearby, creating a striking contrast between cool alpine water and hot thermal springs.
Scovern Hot Springs, also known as Neills Hot Springs and Hot Springs House, was a former settlement in the Kern River Valley. The thermal springs have attracted visitors for centuries, supporting both indigenous use and later Euro-American settlement.
This roadside spring is highly accessible, requiring minimal walking. The nearby Pioneer Point Campground at Lake Isabella offers nearby recreation. Visit spring or fall for optimal temperatures. The area experiences significant winter snow at elevation.
Is Scovern Hot Springs worth visiting?
Best for
- Hot spring soaking
- Easy day trips
- Overnight camping trips
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Overview Reservations not being accepted. Pioneer Point is a high-desert campground near Lake Isabella in the Sequoia National Forest. The 11,000-acre lake is actually a reservoir, one of California's largest, and it marks the division between the Upper and Lower Kern Rivers. Recreation The focal point of this year-round campground is Lake Isabella, where campers can swim, water ski, windsurf and more. The lake is known for trout fishing during the colder months, offering anglers a variety o...