# Tassajara Hot Springs, California

Tassajara Hot Springs in California. 144°F (62°C). Short Walk · Public Land. Monterey County.

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

## Can you soak at Tassajara Hot Springs?

Not at the source. The water leaves the ground at 144°F, hot enough to burn skin. It's a short walk from the road. It's on US Forest Service land.

## Key facts

| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Source water temperature | 144°F (62°C) (USGS record; developed pools are often cooled) |
| Elevation | 2,036 ft |
| Access | Short Walk · Public Land, 0.2 mi from the nearest road (Tassajara Path) |
| Land | Los Padres National Forest, US Forest Service |
| County | Monterey County |
| Nearest town | Soledad |
| Coordinates | 36.23400, -121.54600 |
| Best months to soak | February, December, January (largest gap between water and average air temperature) |
| Nearest campground | ARROYO SECO, 3.8 mi |

## Soaking safety

**Very Hot Source, Use Extreme Caution.** At 144°F, the source water at Tassajara 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 Tassajara Hot Springs

Tassajara Hot Springs is a group of natural hot springs in the Ventana Wilderness, Monterey County, on Los Padres National Forest land, eighteen miles or so from Soledad. The source water is scalding, well past the point where it burns skin, far too hot to enter without cooling. Resorts have operated here in one form or another since 1868. Access is open on record.

A few hundred yards from a route listed as Tassajara Path. Around two thousand feet, in the Santa Lucia Range, with twenty-three inches of rain and an inch of snow in a typical year. The yearly average is near sixty.

The springs have been the site of various resorts since 1868. A horse trail served them until 1886, when a stagecoach road was built over Chews Ridge to reach them. They sit within the Ventana Wilderness of the Santa Lucia Range.

February, December and January are the favored months on file. Arroyo Seco campground is under four miles away. The source is scalding; do not touch it untested, and keep children back. No fee is on record, though the site has a long history as a resort, so check current arrangements before you go.

## Nearby

- Nearest city page: [Hot springs near Soledad](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/near/california/soledad), 12 mi away
- State page: [Hot springs in California](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/california)
- [Sykes Hot Spring, CA](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/california/sykes-hot-spring): Warm, Hike, near Carmel Valley Village, 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
- [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
- [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
- [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 Tassajara Hot Springs?**
Tassajara Hot Springs has a water temperature of 144°F (62°C). This is considered a hot spring, well above body temperature.

**Where is Tassajara Hot Springs located?**
Tassajara Hot Springs is located in Monterey County, California at 2,036 feet elevation, near Soledad. Coordinates: 36.2340°N, 121.5460°W.

**How do I get to Tassajara Hot Springs?**
Tassajara Hot Springs has Short Walk road access, with the nearest road being Tassajara Path (0.2 mi from the road).

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

**Can I camp near Tassajara Hot Springs?**
Yes, Arroyo Seco is located nearby (3.8 miles away).

**Is it safe to soak at Tassajara Hot Springs?**
No, not at the source. The water at Tassajara Hot Springs reaches 144°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
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tassajara_Hot_Springs