# Terminal Geyser, California

Terminal Geyser in California. 205°F (96°C). Short Walk · Public Land. Plumas County.

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

## Can you soak at Terminal Geyser?

No. The water at Terminal Geyser reaches 205°F, hot enough to scald.

## Key facts

| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Source water temperature | 205°F (96°C) (USGS record; developed pools are often cooled) |
| Elevation | 5,793 ft |
| Access | Short Walk · Public Land, 0.7 mi from the nearest road |
| Land | Lassen Volcanic National Park, National Park Service |
| County | Plumas County |
| Nearest town | Chester |
| Coordinates | 40.42100, -121.37500 |
| Best months to soak | December, January, February (largest gap between water and average air temperature) |
| Nearest campground | Warner Valley Campground, 1.8 mi |

## Soaking safety

**Geyser: Not a Soaking Spring.** Terminal Geyser is a geyser, not a traditional hot spring. These geothermal features can be extremely dangerous. Boiling water, toxic gases, and unstable ground are common hazards. Do not attempt to soak.

## About Terminal Geyser

Terminal Geyser is a boiling thermal feature in Lassen Volcanic National Park, in Plumas County, around eleven miles from Chester. The water sits at boiling, far beyond anything a person can touch. It is a thing to walk to and look at, on National Park Service ground that is listed as open to the public, and Warner Valley Campground is under two miles away.

High country near 5,800 feet, with enormous winter snow, around 180 inches, and a wet climate overall. The vent is seven tenths of a mile beyond the end of the nearest road. It lies inside a national park, so park rules govern what you can do there. Warner Valley Campground is the closest camp in our data.

Our record lists the winter months as best, but that is when this ground is under deep snow, so expect the road to be buried for a long stretch of the year. Short walk in. Keep well back from the water and the ground around it; at this temperature it can kill. No fee is recorded for the site itself. Warner Valley Campground is close.

## Nearby

- Nearest city page: [Hot springs near Chester](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/near/california/chester), 2 mi away
- State page: [Hot springs in California](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/california)
- [Boiling Springs Lake, CA](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/california/boiling-springs-lake): 190°F source, Short Walk, near Chester, Plumas County
- [Drakesbad, CA](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/california/drakesbad): 151°F source, pH 6.7, TDS 49 mg/L, Short Walk, near Chester, Plumas County
- [Hot Springs Valley, CA](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/california/hot-springs-valley): 83°F source, pH 6.7, TDS 49 mg/L, Short Walk, near Chester, Plumas County
- [Devils Kitchen, CA](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/california/devils-kitchen-2): 203°F source, pH 6.7, TDS 49 mg/L, Hike, near Chester, Plumas County
- [Bumpass Hell, CA](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/california/bumpass-hell): 199°F source, pH 6.9, TDS 42 mg/L, Short Walk, near Chester, Plumas County
- [Growler Hot Spring, CA](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/california/growler-hot-spring): 203°F source, Short Walk, near Chester, Plumas County

## Questions

**What is the water temperature at Terminal Geyser?**
Terminal Geyser has a water temperature of 205°F (96°C). This is considered a hot spring, well above body temperature.

**Where is Terminal Geyser located?**
Terminal Geyser is located in Plumas County, California at 5,793 feet elevation, near Chester. Coordinates: 40.4210°N, 121.3750°W.

**How do I get to Terminal Geyser?**
Terminal Geyser has Short Walk road access (0.7 mi from the road).

**Is Terminal Geyser free to visit?**
Terminal Geyser has Open access. It is managed by National Park Service.

**Can I camp near Terminal Geyser?**
Yes, Warner Valley Campground is located nearby (1.8 miles away).

**Is it safe to soak at Terminal Geyser?**
No, not at the source. The water at Terminal Geyser reaches 205°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