Vichy Springs
Vichy Springs flows at 85 degrees in Mendocino County wine country, producing water 26 degrees warmer than ambient temperature on Sulphur Creek where a historic resort once attracted health-conscious visitors seeking mineral waters.
The spring emerges at 806 feet elevation where redwood forests meet oak woodlands and vineyard country. A short walk from parking reveals thermal pools surrounded by native vegetation in a secluded creek-side setting where the microclimate supports lush ferns and shade-loving plants.
The spring is accessible via a short walk from parking. The property offers a more developed experience than wilderness springs, though day-use access remains available. Mendocino County's cool, wet winters and dry summers mean spring and fall provide ideal conditions for a visit.
Native Americans used this spring long before 1848, when settler Frank Marble documented it for the broader public. The site developed into a commercial resort catering to those seeking therapeutic mineral waters, establishing Vichy Springs as a recognized destination in Northern California's landscape.
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Overview Chekaka Recreation Area is situated on Lake Mendocino in California's Mendocino Range, where redwood forests meet wine country. There is one reservable picnic pad in the Overlook Day-Use Area. Chekaka Campground has been permanently closed. The lake is formed by the Coyote Dam on the Russian River. A wide variety of recreational opportunities is available, including boating, swimming, water skiing, fishing, hiking and horseback riding. Recreation The 1,822-acre lake provides abundan...
Vichy Springs is road-accessible, so you can bring more gear.
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