# Unnamed thermal spring, California

Unnamed thermal spring in California. 72°F (22°C). Short Walk · Public Land. Modoc County.

- Page: https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/california/unnamed-spring-modoc-county-2
- Source: Soaking Springs, researched and maintained by Armen Suny
- Updated: 2026-09-14

## Can you soak at this spring?

The water leaves the ground at 72°F, about as warm as a heated pool. Access is restricted. It's a short walk from the road. It's on US Fish and Wildlife Service land. We haven't confirmed whether it has a pool or charges a fee.

## Key facts

| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Source water temperature | 72°F (22°C) (USGS record; developed pools are often cooled) |
| Elevation | 4,360 ft |
| Access | Short Walk · Public Land, 0.1 mi from the nearest road |
| Land | Modoc National Wildlife Refuge, US Fish and Wildlife Service |
| County | Modoc County |
| Nearest town | Alturas |
| Coordinates | 41.46600, -120.52500 |
| Best months to soak | December, January, February (largest gap between water and average air temperature) |
| Nearest campground | Pepperdine Equestrian Campground, 14.7 mi |

## About Unnamed thermal spring

An unnamed thermal point lies on the Modoc National Wildlife Refuge, a couple of miles outside Alturas. The water is tepid, low seventies. Access is restricted: the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service manages the refuge and this point is not listed as open. That is the headline for this one, and it should shape any plan to visit.

High desert near 4,400 feet, cold winters with a fair amount of snow, dry otherwise. Two hundred yards or so from the road. Wildlife refuge land, with a photo on file for the point. Pepperdine Equestrian Campground, about fifteen miles off, is the nearest listed camp.

Winter is listed as best, though the refuge gets real snow then. The walk from the road is short, but access is restricted, so contact the refuge before you plan anything. No fee recorded. The water is tepid, so there is little reward for bending the rules. Camping is at Pepperdine Equestrian Campground if needed, and Alturas is only two miles or so away.

## Nearby

- Nearest city page: [Hot springs near Alturas](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/near/california/alturas), 33 mi away
- State page: [Hot springs in California](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/california)
- [Unnamed thermal spring, CA](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/california/unnamed-spring-modoc-county-1): 81°F source, Short Walk, near Alturas, Modoc County
- [Essex Springs, CA](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/california/essex-springs): 91°F source, Roadside, near Alturas, Modoc County
- [Spring, CA](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/california/spring-modoc-county-1): 81°F source, Roadside, near Alturas, Modoc County
- [Unnamed thermal spring, CA](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/california/unnamed-spring-modoc-county-3): 81°F source, Short Walk, near Alturas, Modoc County
- [Warm Spring, CA](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/california/warm-spring-modoc-county-2): 75°F source, Short Walk, near Alturas, Modoc County
- [Kelly Hot Spring, CA](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/california/kelly-hot-spring): 198°F source, Short Walk, near Alturas, Modoc County

## Questions

**What is the water temperature at ?**
 has a water temperature of 72°F (22°C). This is a warm thermal spring.

**Where is  located?**
 is located in Modoc County, California at 4,360 feet elevation, near Alturas. Coordinates: 41.4660°N, 120.5250°W.

**How do I get to ?**
 has Short Walk road access (0.1 mi from the road).

**Is  free to visit?**
 has Restricted access. It is managed by US Fish and Wildlife Service.

**Can I camp near ?**
Yes, Pepperdine Equestrian Campground is located nearby (14.7 miles away).

## Sources

- USGS thermal springs records, Water Quality Portal lab analyses, OpenStreetMap, Wikipedia/Wikidata, NOAA climate normals