# Sulphur Bank, California

Sulphur Bank in California. 156°F (69°C). Short Walk. Lake County.

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

## Can you soak at Sulphur Bank?

Not at the source. The water leaves the ground at 156°F, hot enough to burn skin. It's a short walk from the road.

## Key facts

| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Source water temperature | 156°F (69°C) (USGS record; developed pools are often cooled) |
| Elevation | 1,369 ft |
| Access | Short Walk, 0.2 mi from the nearest road |
| County | Lake County |
| Nearest town | Clearlake Oaks |
| Coordinates | 39.00200, -122.66400 |
| Best months to soak | December, January, February (largest gap between water and average air temperature) |
| Nearest campground | Little Stony, 20.2 mi |

## Soaking safety

**Very Hot Source, Use Extreme Caution.** At 156°F, the source water at Sulphur Bank 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 Sulphur Bank

Sulphur Bank is a scalding thermal site in Lake County, a mile or so from Clearlake Oaks. The water here is far too hot to touch, well past anything a person could sit in. This is a place to look at, if it can be visited at all. Ownership and public access are both blank in the record.

Low elevation, under 1,400 feet, mild year round, rain mostly in winter and only a dusting of snow. About a fifth of a mile separates it from the closest road, which is not named in the record. No land owner or unit is attached. The nearest campground on file is Little Stony, twenty miles off.

Winter is the listed season and the ground stays mostly clear of snow. Short walk from the road. Do not go in the water. At this temperature it will burn skin on contact. Nobody has logged access or an owner, and no fee either, so find out who controls the land before you make the trip. Camping is a long way off at Little Stony.

## Nearby

- Nearest city page: [Hot springs near Clearlake Oaks](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/near/california/clearlake-oaks), 16 mi away
- State page: [Hot springs in California](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/california)
- [Davis Soda Spring, CA](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/california/davis-soda-spring): 73°F source, Short Walk, near Clearlake, Lake County
- [Fumarole, CA](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/california/fumarole-3): Hot, Roadside, near Clearlake, Lake County
- [Riviera Beach Spring, CA](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/california/riviera-beach-spring): 93°F source, Short Walk, near Clearlake Oaks, Lake County
- [Unnamed thermal spring, CA](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/california/unnamed-spring-lake-county-3): Warm, Roadside, near Clearlake, Lake County
- [Unnamed thermal spring, CA](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/california/unnamed-spring-lake-county-1): 95°F source, Short Walk, near Soda Bay, Lake County
- [Unnamed thermal spring, CA](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/california/unnamed-spring-lake-county-6): 81°F source, Roadside, near Clearlake, Lake County

## Questions

**What is the water temperature at Sulphur Bank?**
Sulphur Bank has a water temperature of 156°F (69°C). This is considered a hot spring, well above body temperature.

**Where is Sulphur Bank located?**
Sulphur Bank is located in Lake County, California at 1,369 feet elevation, near Clearlake Oaks. Coordinates: 39.0020°N, 122.6640°W.

**How do I get to Sulphur Bank?**
Sulphur Bank has Short Walk road access (0.2 mi from the road).

**Can I camp near Sulphur Bank?**
Yes, Little Stony is located nearby (20.2 miles away).

**Is it safe to soak at Sulphur Bank?**
No, not at the source. The water at Sulphur Bank reaches 156°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