# Unnamed thermal spring, California

Unnamed thermal spring in California. 109°F (43°C). Roadside. Modoc County.

- Page: https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/california/unnamed-spring-modoc-county-4
- 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 109°F, a comfortable soaking temperature. You can drive right up to it. We haven't confirmed whether it has a pool or charges a fee.

## Key facts

| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Source water temperature | 109°F (43°C) (USGS record; developed pools are often cooled) |
| Elevation | 4,504 ft |
| Access | Roadside, 314 ft from the nearest road (Surprise Valley Road) |
| County | Modoc County |
| Nearest town | Alturas |
| Coordinates | 41.20800, -120.05400 |
| Best months to soak | December, January, February (largest gap between water and average air temperature) |
| Nearest campground | Patterson Guard Station, 7.0 mi |

## About Unnamed thermal spring

Far out from Alturas, about thirty-two miles, an unnamed spring beside Surprise Valley Road in Modoc County. The reading on file is 109 degrees, the upper edge of soaking warm, hot-tub territory. Whose land it is, and if visitors are permitted, is not on file. No photograph exists either. The record has a campground nearby but no second name for the spring.

Surprise Valley Road runs within about three hundred feet; the record classes the spring as roadside. It stands a little above forty-five hundred feet. Winters are heavy going by the climate record, five feet of snow in a typical year on about sixteen inches of total precipitation, and the annual mean is near fifty.

Midwinter, by the record. Patterson Guard Station is the campground listed, about seven miles away. At 109 degrees the water is hot enough that you will want to ease in; give it a minute before committing. Access is unrecorded, so confirm the land status first. The record is silent on any fee.

## Nearby

- Nearest city page: [Hot springs near Alturas](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/near/california/alturas), 3 mi away
- State page: [Hot springs in California](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/california)
- [Squaw Baths, CA](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/california/squaw-baths): 106°F source, Roadside, near Alturas, Modoc County
- [Bare Ranch Spring, CA](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/california/bare-ranch-spring): 90°F source, Roadside, near Alturas, Modoc County
- [Hot Springs (Menlo Baths), CA](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/california/hot-springs-menlo-baths): 135°F source, Short Walk, near Alturas, Modoc County
- [Unnamed thermal spring, NV](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/nevada/unnamed-spring-modoc-county-9): Hot, Hike, near Alturas, Modoc County
- [West Valley Reservoir Hot Spring, CA](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/california/west-valley-reservoir-hot-spring): 171°F source, Short Walk, near Alturas, Modoc County
- [Warm Spring, CA](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/california/warm-spring-modoc-county-1): 70°F source, Short Walk, near Alturas, Modoc County

## Questions

**What is the water temperature at ?**
 has a water temperature of 109°F (43°C). This is considered a hot spring, well above body temperature.

**Where is  located?**
 is located in Modoc County, California at 4,504 feet elevation, near Alturas. Coordinates: 41.2080°N, 120.0540°W.

**How do I get to ?**
 has Roadside road access, with the nearest road being Surprise Valley Road (314 ft from the road).

**Can I camp near ?**
Yes, Patterson Guard Station is located nearby (7.0 miles away).

## Sources

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