# The Tub, California

The Tub in California. 167°F (75°C). Short Walk · Public Land. Mono County.

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

## Can you soak at The Tub?

Not at the source. The water leaves the ground at 167°F, hot enough to burn skin. It's a short walk from the road.

## Key facts

| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Source water temperature | 167°F (75°C) (USGS record; developed pools are often cooled) |
| pH | 7.3 (Slightly Alkaline) |
| Elevation | 6,975 ft |
| Access | Short Walk · Public Land, 0.2 mi from the nearest road |
| Land | Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, CITY |
| County | Mono County |
| Nearest town | Mammoth Lakes |
| Coordinates | 37.66400, -118.80200 |
| Best months to soak | February, December, January (largest gap between water and average air temperature) |
| Nearest campground | Crowley Lake Campground, 6.8 mi |

## Soaking safety

**Very Hot Source, Use Extreme Caution.** At 167°F, the source water at The Tub 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 The Tub

The Tub, which OpenStreetMap calls Crab Cooker Hot Springs, is a scalding source on Los Angeles Water and Power land, eleven miles or so out of Mammoth Lakes in Mono County. The source measured 167 degrees. Access is open on file. Neutral pH in a 1973 sample.

Under a quarter mile from an unnamed road. Near seven thousand feet, where winters average seven feet of snow and the yearly mean sits in the upper forties. Sixteen inches of precipitation. The land is city-owned, held by LADWP.

Two names attach to this one. The record calls it The Tub while OpenStreetMap has it as Crab Cooker Hot Springs and tags the place as a bath site. USGS keeps a site here with a sample from July 1973, and the discharge they logged amounts to a trickle.

The best season on file is winter. Crowley Lake Campground sits roughly seven miles away. Scalding at the source; it will burn skin at once, so do not enter untested water. The chemistry dates to 1973. No fee on record.

## Water chemistry

Lab sample from 1973-07-28 (Water Quality Portal).

| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| pH | 7.3 |
| Calcium | 21 mg/L |
| Magnesium | 1.1 mg/L |
| Sodium | 310 mg/L |
| Sulfate | 70 mg/L |
| Chloride | 150 mg/L |
| Iron | 30 µg/L |

## Nearby

- Nearest city page: [Hot springs near Clovis](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/near/california/clovis), 75 mi away
- State page: [Hot springs in California](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/california)
- [Dehy Hot Spring, CA](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/california/dehy-hot-spring): 134°F source, pH 7.7, Short Walk, near Mammoth Lakes, Mono County
- [Hot Springs, CA](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/california/hot-springs-mono-county): 129°F source, pH 7.3, Short Walk, near Mammoth Lakes, Mono County
- [Hilltop Hot Spring, CA](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/california/hilltop-hot-spring): 127°F source, pH 7.0, TDS 1,260 mg/L, Roadside, near Mammoth Lakes, Mono County
- [Hot Creek Gorge Springs, CA](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/california/hot-creek-gorge-springs): 199°F source, pH 8.0, TDS 1,170 mg/L, Short Walk, near Mammoth Lakes, Mono County
- [Hot Creek Springs, CA](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/california/hot-creek-springs-1): 171°F source, pH 8.7, Roadside, near Mammoth Lakes, Mono County
- [Wild Willy's Hot Springs, CA](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/california/wild-willy-s-hot-springs): 120°F source, pH 7.0, TDS 1,260 mg/L, Short Walk, near Mammoth Lakes, Mono County

## Questions

**What is the water temperature at The Tub?**
The Tub has a water temperature of 167°F (75°C). This is considered a hot spring, well above body temperature.

**Where is The Tub located?**
The Tub is located in Mono County, California at 6,975 feet elevation, near Mammoth Lakes. Coordinates: 37.6640°N, 118.8020°W.

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

**Is The Tub free to visit?**
The Tub has Open access. It is managed by CITY.

**Can I camp near The Tub?**
Yes, Crowley Lake Campground is located nearby (6.8 miles away).

**What minerals are in the water at The Tub?**
Water chemistry analysis shows the presence of pH, Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Sulfate, Chloride, Iron. The pH is 7.3 (slightly alkaline).

**Is it safe to soak at The Tub?**
No, not at the source. The water at The Tub reaches 167°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