Sheep Creek Spring

San Bernardino County, California · Near Fort Irwin
35.5880°N, 116.3590°W · 1,802 ft
73°F 98°F air 1,802 ft Open Short Walk Bureau of Land Management

BLM land in the San Bernardino County desert holds Sheep Creek Spring, a tepid spring roughly thirty miles from Fort Irwin, the nearest town on file. The Barstow Field Office manages it and entry is open. The spring is within five hundred feet of Sheep Creek Spring Road, signed D233 in the record. The water is barely warm, cooler than a bath.

Location

Low Mojave desert, rain scarce and snow absent. Public land, no fee on record. The walk from Sheep Creek Spring Road is short. A 1967 water sample is on file showing a mildly alkaline pH and moderate dissolved solids, with calcium, sodium, sulfate and chloride among the minerals measured, plus magnesium and iron.

Go in winter. There is no camping on record anywhere close. Entry is open, no fee. The chemistry on record is from a survey in early 1967, decades old, so the figures shown here are a snapshot from then. Burns are not a concern at this temperature.

Monthly Climate
52°
Jan
56°
Feb
63°
Mar
70°
Apr
76°
May
89°
Jun
93°
Jul
93°
Aug
85°
Sep
72°
Oct
60°
Nov
50°
Dec
Annual Precip: 4.4 in Annual Snow: 0.3 in
Best Time to Visit
December Air 50°F · Water 73°F · +23° contrast
January Air 52°F · Water 73°F · +21° contrast
February Air 56°F · Water 73°F · +17° contrast
December offers 43°F more contrast than August
Current Conditions
98°F
SSW 20.9 mph 20%
This Afternoon 104° Low 81° Sunny
Saturday 103° Low 79° Sunny
Sunday 100° Low 76° Sunny
Monday 95° Low 76° Sunny
Tuesday 97° Low 75° Sunny
Water Chemistry Sampled 1967-02-10

The water at Sheep Creek Spring is slightly alkaline (pH 7.9) with 801 mg/L total dissolved solids. It is notably rich in magnesium (known for muscle relaxation and stress relief) and sulfate (traditionally used for skin conditions and inflammation).

pH 7.9 Slightly Alkaline
pH influences mineral absorption through skin
Higher mineral concentration for therapeutic soaking
Calcium 83 mg/L
May support bone density and joint health
Magnesium 52 mg/L
Known for muscle relaxation and stress relief
Sodium 93 mg/L
Supports circulation and skin hydration
Sulfate 392 mg/L
Traditionally used for skin conditions and inflammation
Chloride 25 mg/L
Natural antiseptic with skin health benefits
Iron 50 µg/L
Iron-rich springs may support circulation
Temperature
73°F
Warm Hot Boiling
Water Temp 73°F (23°C)
Avg Air Temp 72°F
Above Ambient +2°F
Mild soaking conditions September
Access
Open
Road Access Short Walk
Nearest Road Sheep Creek Spring Road - D233
Distance to Road 490 ft
Land
Ownership Federal
Agency Bureau of Land Management
Designation PUB
Unit Barstow Field Office
Manager Bureau of Land Management
Protection 3 - Protected, subject to extractive use
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the water temperature at Sheep Creek Spring?
Sheep Creek Spring has a water temperature of 73°F (23°C). This is a warm thermal spring.
Where is Sheep Creek Spring located?
Sheep Creek Spring is located in San Bernardino County, California at 1,802 feet elevation, near Fort Irwin. Coordinates: 35.5880°N, 116.3590°W.
How do I get to Sheep Creek Spring?
Sheep Creek Spring has Short Walk road access, with the nearest road being Sheep Creek Spring Road - D233 (490 ft from the road).
Is Sheep Creek Spring free to visit?
Sheep Creek Spring has Open access. It is managed by Bureau of Land Management.
What minerals are in the water at Sheep Creek Spring?
Water chemistry analysis shows the presence of pH, Total Dissolved Solids, Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Sulfate, Chloride, Iron. The pH is 7.9 (slightly alkaline). Total dissolved solids measure 801 mg/L.
Sources: USGS NWIS