# Seyferth Hot Springs, California

Seyferth Hot Springs in California. 185°F (85°C). Roadside · Public Land. Modoc County.

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

## Can you soak at Seyferth Hot Springs?

Not at the source. The water leaves the ground at 185°F, hot enough to burn skin. You can drive right up to it. It's on Bureau of Land Management land.

## Key facts

| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Source water temperature | 185°F (85°C) (USGS record; developed pools are often cooled) |
| Elevation | 4,669 ft |
| Access | Roadside · Public Land, 196 ft from the nearest road |
| Land | Applegate Field Office, Bureau of Land Management |
| County | Modoc County |
| Nearest town | Alturas |
| Coordinates | 41.61500, -120.10200 |
| Best months to soak | December, January, February (largest gap between water and average air temperature) |
| Nearest campground | Pepperdine Equestrian Campground, 13.5 mi |

## Soaking safety

**Very Hot Source, Use Extreme Caution.** At 185°F, the source water at Seyferth 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 Seyferth Hot Springs

Scalding water at the roadside on BLM land in Modoc County. Seyferth Hot Springs sits about 25 miles from Alturas, under two hundred feet from a road nobody has named on file, managed by the Applegate Field Office, and anyone may visit. The temperature on file is high enough to cause serious burns. Nobody should plan to soak in the source.

High desert plateau, well over four thousand feet up, cold most of the year and buried under something like four and a half feet of snow each winter. Roadside, public ground, no fee on record. Pepperdine Equestrian Campground, thirteen or fourteen miles off, is the camping on record. The annual average temperature sits below fifty.

The listed best months fall in deep winter, which in Modoc County means snow on the ground and a real question of road access; check before you drive out from Alturas. The water is scalding. Kids and dogs should stay well away from where it comes up. Access is open on BLM land. Camping is at Pepperdine, a dozen miles off or a bit more.

## Nearby

- Nearest city page: [Hot springs near Alturas](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/near/california/alturas), 31 mi away
- State page: [Hot springs in California](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/california)
- [Leonards Hot Springs, CA](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/california/leonards-hot-springs): 144°F source, Short Walk, 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
- [Fort Bidwell Hot Spring, CA](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/california/fort-bidwell-hot-spring): 113°F source, Roadside, near Lakeview, Lake 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

## Questions

**What is the water temperature at Seyferth Hot Springs?**
Seyferth Hot Springs has a water temperature of 185°F (85°C). This is considered a hot spring, well above body temperature.

**Where is Seyferth Hot Springs located?**
Seyferth Hot Springs is located in Modoc County, California at 4,669 feet elevation, near Alturas. Coordinates: 41.6150°N, 120.1020°W.

**How do I get to Seyferth Hot Springs?**
Seyferth Hot Springs has Roadside road access (196 ft from the road).

**Is Seyferth Hot Springs free to visit?**
Seyferth Hot Springs has Open access. It is managed by Bureau of Land Management.

**Can I camp near Seyferth Hot Springs?**
Yes, Pepperdine Equestrian Campground is located nearby (13.5 miles away).

**Is it safe to soak at Seyferth Hot Springs?**
No, not at the source. The water at Seyferth Hot Springs reaches 185°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