# Sespe Hot Springs, California

Sespe Hot Springs in California. 194°F (90°C). Hike · Public Land. Ventura County.

- Page: https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/california/sespe-hot-springs-1
- Source: Soaking Springs, researched and maintained by Armen Suny
- Updated: 2026-09-14

## Can you soak at Sespe Hot Springs?

Not at the source. The water leaves the ground at 194°F, hot enough to burn skin. Reaching it takes a hike. It's on US Forest Service land.

## Key facts

| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Source water temperature | 194°F (90°C) (USGS record; developed pools are often cooled) |
| Elevation | 3,102 ft |
| Access | Hike · Public Land, 4.2 mi from the nearest road (Mutau OHV Road) |
| Land | Los Padres National Forest, US Forest Service |
| County | Ventura County |
| Nearest town | Fillmore |
| Coordinates | 34.59600, -118.99800 |
| Best months to soak | December, January, February (largest gap between water and average air temperature) |
| Nearest campground | Goldhill Camping Area, 8.2 mi |

## Soaking safety

**Very Hot Source, Use Extreme Caution.** At 194°F, the source water at Sespe 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 Sespe Hot Springs

Sespe Hot Springs surfaces near boiling, hot enough to scald, inside the Los Padres National Forest in Ventura County. Fillmore is the nearest town at around fourteen miles. Getting to the springs means a hike of a bit over four miles from Mutau OHV Road. Open access, Forest Service land.

Backcountry national forest at around three thousand feet, with a short rainy winter, a little snow in the average year and dry weather otherwise. The hike in starts from Mutau OHV Road, an off-highway vehicle route by its name. Goldhill Camping Area, about eight miles out, is where the record puts the closest camping.

Winter is the listed season. Plan for a hike of four-plus miles each way and check the condition of Mutau OHV Road before you go. The source water is scalding and will burn skin on contact; only get in where it has cooled, and test first every time. Goldhill is about eight miles away. No fee is listed.

## Nearby

- Nearest city page: [Hot springs near Fillmore](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/near/california/fillmore), 0 mi away
- State page: [Hot springs in California](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/california)
- [Willett Hot Springs, CA](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/california/willett-hot-springs-1): 108°F source, Hike, near Fillmore, Ventura County
- [Willett Hot Springs, CA](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/california/willett-hot-springs-2): Hike, near Fillmore, Ventura County
- [Sespe Hot Springs, CA](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/california/sespe-hot-springs-2): Short Walk, near Fillmore, Ventura County
- [Wheeler Springs, CA](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/california/wheeler-springs): 102°F source, Roadside, near Meiners Oaks, Ventura County
- [Matilija Hot Springs, CA](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/california/matilija-hot-springs-2): Roadside, near Meiners Oaks, Ventura County
- [Matilija Hot Springs, CA](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/california/matilija-hot-springs-1): 109°F source, Roadside, near Meiners Oaks, Ventura County

## Questions

**What is the water temperature at Sespe Hot Springs?**
Sespe Hot Springs has a water temperature of 194°F (90°C). This is considered a hot spring, well above body temperature.

**Where is Sespe Hot Springs located?**
Sespe Hot Springs is located in Ventura County, California at 3,102 feet elevation, near Fillmore. Coordinates: 34.5960°N, 118.9980°W.

**How do I get to Sespe Hot Springs?**
Sespe Hot Springs has Hike road access, with the nearest road being Mutau OHV Road (4.2 mi from the road).

**Is Sespe Hot Springs free to visit?**
Sespe Hot Springs has Open access. It is managed by US Forest Service.

**Can I camp near Sespe Hot Springs?**
Yes, Goldhill Camping Area is located nearby (8.2 miles away).

**Is it safe to soak at Sespe Hot Springs?**
No, not at the source. The water at Sespe Hot Springs reaches 194°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