# Sykes Hot Spring, California

Sykes Hot Spring in California. Warm. Hike · Public Land. Monterey County.

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

## Can you soak at Sykes Hot Spring?

USGS lists Sykes Hot Spring as a warm spring, with no temperature on record. Reaching it takes a hike. It's on US Forest Service land. We haven't confirmed whether it has a pool or charges a fee.

## Key facts

| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Source water temperature | Warm (USGS record; developed pools are often cooled) |
| Elevation | 1,273 ft |
| Access | Hike · Public Land, 2.1 mi from the nearest road |
| Land | Los Padres National Forest, US Forest Service |
| County | Monterey County |
| Nearest town | Carmel Valley Village |
| Coordinates | 36.25000, -121.68300 |
| Nearest campground | CHINA CAMP CAMPGROUND, 7.1 mi |

## About Sykes Hot Spring

Sykes Hot Spring is a backcountry spring in Los Padres National Forest, Monterey County, roughly sixteen miles from Carmel Valley Village. Forest Service land, open access. The record lists no temperature reading, so how hot it runs is not on file. The name alone should not be taken as proof of a soak.

Two miles and change from the nearest road, a hike as the record classes it. That road has no name given. Elevation sits under thirteen hundred feet. Rain runs twenty-seven inches annually and snow is almost unheard of. Upper fifties as a yearly mean.

China Camp Campground, about seven miles away, is the closest listed. No best months are listed and no fee. This is a hike-in spring, so plan for the walk both ways. With no temperature on record, you will be finding out for yourself. Snow is no factor here, so the season stays open year-round as far as the record goes.

## Nearby

- Nearest city page: [Hot springs near Soledad](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/near/california/soledad), 18 mi away
- State page: [Hot springs in California](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/california)
- [Tassajara Hot Springs, CA](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/california/tassajara-hot-springs): 144°F source, Short Walk, near Soledad, Monterey County
- [Slates Hot Springs, CA](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/california/slates-hot-springs): 122°F source, Short Walk, near Carmel Valley Village, Monterey County
- [Unnamed thermal spring, CA](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/california/unnamed-spring-monterey-county): 114°F source, Short Walk, near Carmel Valley Village, Monterey County
- [Dolans Hot Spring, CA](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/california/dolans-hot-spring): 98°F source, Short Walk, near Greenfield, Monterey County
- [Paraiso Springs (Sulphur Spring), CA](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/california/paraiso-springs-sulphur-spring): 98°F source, Roadside, near Soledad, Monterey County
- [Sulphur Hot Spring, CA](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/california/sulphur-hot-spring): 100°F source, Roadside, near Seaside, Monterey County

## Questions

**What is the water temperature at Sykes Hot Spring?**
Sykes Hot Spring is classified as warm. An exact temperature measurement has not been recorded.

**Where is Sykes Hot Spring located?**
Sykes Hot Spring is located in Monterey County, California at 1,273 feet elevation, near Carmel Valley Village. Coordinates: 36.2500°N, 121.6830°W.

**How do I get to Sykes Hot Spring?**
Sykes Hot Spring has Hike road access (2.1 mi from the road).

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

**Can I camp near Sykes Hot Spring?**
Yes, China Camp Campground is located nearby (7.1 miles away).

## Sources

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