# Stinking Springs, California

Stinking Springs in California. 101°F (38°C). Short Walk. Tehama County.

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

## Can you soak at Stinking Springs?

The water leaves the ground at 101°F, a comfortable soaking temperature. It's a short walk from the road. We haven't confirmed whether it has a pool or charges a fee.

## Key facts

| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Source water temperature | 101°F (38°C) (USGS record; developed pools are often cooled) |
| Elevation | 1,556 ft |
| Access | Short Walk, 0.1 mi from the nearest road (Halley Grade) |
| County | Tehama County |
| Nearest town | Rancho Tehama Reserve |
| Coordinates | 40.22300, -122.74700 |
| Best months to soak | December, January, February (largest gap between water and average air temperature) |
| Nearest campground | POST CREEK GUARD STATION, 9.0 mi |

## About Stinking Springs

Stinking Springs, in Tehama County, is soaking temperature, about what a hot bath feels like, and it lies twenty-two miles or so from Rancho Tehama Reserve. Halley Grade gets you within a tenth of a mile. Owner and access are both unrecorded. The Wikipedia page attached to this record describes a different Stinking Springs in Utah, so it tells you nothing about this one.

Foothill country around 1,500 feet, warm most of the year, with a wet winter and a little snow, under twenty inches. The last stretch from Halley Grade is on foot. There is no land manager attached to this point and no designation either. Post Creek Guard Station is the nearest camp on the list, nine miles out.

December through February are the listed best months. The walk from Halley Grade is short. Camp at Post Creek Guard Station if you need to, about nine miles away. Nothing is on file about public access or a fee, and ownership is blank, so assume you need to confirm you are allowed to be there.

## Nearby

- Nearest city page: [Hot springs near Redding](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/near/california/redding), 31 mi away
- State page: [Hot springs in California](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/california)
- [Tuscan Springs, CA](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/california/tuscan-springs): 86°F source, Short Walk, near Red Bluff, Tehama County
- [Pinches Spring, CA](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/california/pinches-spring): 70°F source, Short Walk, near Laytonville, Mendocino County
- [Sulphur Spring, Salt Spring, CA](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/california/sulphur-spring-salt-spring): 75°F source, Short Walk, near Willows, Glenn County
- [Jackson Valley Mud Springs, CA](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/california/jackson-valley-mud-springs): 80°F source, Roadside, near Laytonville, Mendocino County
- [Fouts Springs, CA](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/california/fouts-springs): 79°F source, Short Walk, near Lucerne, Lake County
- [Muir Springs, CA](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/california/muir-springs): 68°F source, Short Walk, near Willits, Mendocino County

## Questions

**What is the water temperature at Stinking Springs?**
Stinking Springs has a water temperature of 101°F (38°C). This is considered a hot spring, well above body temperature.

**Where is Stinking Springs located?**
Stinking Springs is located in Tehama County, California at 1,556 feet elevation, near Rancho Tehama Reserve. Coordinates: 40.2230°N, 122.7470°W.

**How do I get to Stinking Springs?**
Stinking Springs has Short Walk road access, with the nearest road being Halley Grade (0.1 mi from the road).

**Can I camp near Stinking Springs?**
Yes, Post Creek Guard Station is located nearby (9.0 miles away).

## Sources

- USGS thermal springs records, Water Quality Portal lab analyses, OpenStreetMap, Wikipedia/Wikidata, NOAA climate normals
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stinking_Hot_Springs