California has some of the best natural hot springs in the country, and many of them cost you nothing to enjoy. Instead of paying for a fancy resort, you can hike a short trail, find a warm pool in the wild, and soak while looking at mountains, deserts, or forests.
Some of these spots take real effort to reach, while others sit close to the road. This list rounds up nine free hot springs across the state, from the Eastern Sierra to hidden desert valleys.
Grab a towel, pack out your trash, and get ready to relax the natural way.
1. Travertine Hot Springs, Bridgeport
Just outside the small town of Bridgeport, this spot is one of the easiest free soaks to reach in the Eastern Sierra. A short dirt road leads right to the parking area, so you barely have to walk.
The main draw is a long ridge of travertine rock that has built up over time from mineral-rich water. Several small pools sit along the formation, each a slightly different temperature.
Managed by the Bureau of Land Management, the site is open to the public at no charge. Views stretch out toward the Sierra crest, which makes it popular at sunrise and sunset.
Bring water and sun protection since there is little shade. It gets busy on weekends, so an early arrival gives you the best shot at a quiet pool.
2. Wild Willy’s Hot Springs, Mammoth Lakes
A wooden boardwalk winds across an open meadow to reach this well-loved soak near Mammoth Lakes. The walk from the parking area is flat and takes only a few minutes.
Also known as Crowley Hot Springs, the main pool is large enough for a small group and sits in the middle of wide open country. On clear days you can see the Sierra peaks in the distance.
The setting feels remote even though it is easy to get to, which is part of why people return. The boardwalk helps protect the fragile meadow around the water.
There are no fees and no facilities, so plan ahead. Winter access can be tricky when snow covers the dirt road, so check conditions before you drive out.
3. Hot Creek Geological Site, Mammoth Lakes
Colorful blue and green pools mark this geothermal area along Hot Creek, and the scenery alone is worth the stop. A viewing area lets you look down into the canyon where hot water meets the cold creek.
Here is the honest part: soaking is not allowed. The water temperature changes suddenly and can be dangerous, so the site is for viewing only.
Even so, it earns a place on any Eastern Sierra hot springs trip. The bright mineral colors and rising steam make it one of the most striking geothermal spots you can visit for free.
Managed by the Inyo National Forest, the site has a small parking area and interpretive signs. Follow all posted rules and stay on the marked paths for your own safety.
4. Buckeye Hot Springs, Bridgeport
Tucked into a canyon near Bridgeport, Buckeye rewards a short but steep walk down to the creek. The path drops from the parking area to pools set right beside cold flowing water.
What makes this one different is the mix of hot and cold. Mineral water trickles down the hillside into rock pools, while the creek runs cold just steps away, so you can cool off whenever you want.
The setting is more wooded and tucked in than some of the open desert springs, giving it a quieter feel. It sits within the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest.
The trail can be slick, so wear shoes with good grip. Water levels and pool conditions change with the seasons, so temper your expectations after heavy runoff.
5. Deep Creek Hot Springs, San Bernardino National Forest
Reaching this one takes commitment, and that is exactly why so many hikers make the trip. The pools sit at the bottom of a canyon in the San Bernardino National Forest, accessible only by trail.
The most common route runs several miles each way, with parts of the Pacific Crest Trail passing nearby. Plan for a real hike, not a quick roadside stop.
At the end you find a series of warm rock pools along Deep Creek, where the cold stream runs right beside the heated water. The remote location keeps the crowds smaller than the drive-up springs.
A day-use pass or parking permit may be required depending on where you start, so check the forest rules first. Pack plenty of water, and give yourself enough daylight for the round trip.
6. Saline Valley Warm Springs, Death Valley National Park
Few free soaks in California are as far off the grid as this remote desert oasis inside Death Valley National Park. Getting there means driving many miles of rough dirt road, so a capable high-clearance vehicle is a must.
The reward is a cluster of warm pools ringed by palm trees in the middle of a wide, empty valley. The isolation is the whole point, and visitors have long helped maintain the area.
Because it sits within the national park, standard park rules apply, and there is no fee to soak. Cell service is nonexistent, so tell someone your plans before you go.
Come prepared for extreme heat in summer and cold nights in winter. Bring all your own food, water, and fuel, since there are no services anywhere nearby.
7. Keough’s Hot Ditch, Bishop
Local soakers near Bishop have long enjoyed a warm channel that runs beside the road, often called the Hot Ditch. Overflow water from a nearby spring source flows through it, creating a relaxed spot to sit in the warm current.
The setting is simple. You park along the roadside and find a comfortable place in the flowing water, with the Sierra Nevada standing tall to the west.
It is free to use and easy to reach, which makes it a favorite quick stop for travelers passing through the Owens Valley. The water is warmer near the top of the ditch and cools as it moves downstream.
There is a separate paid pool facility in the same area, but the ditch itself remains a no-cost option. Watch your footing on the muddy banks.
8. Benton Hot Springs, Benton
History runs deep in this small high-desert community, once a busy mining and stagecoach stop. The area around Benton has natural geothermal water that has drawn people for generations.
Most of the well-known tubs here are part of a paid campground and inn, so plan and reserve if you want those. That is the honest catch for this listing.
Still, the region is worth knowing for anyone chasing Eastern Sierra hot water, and public land nearby offers open desert scenery with far fewer crowds. Its remote location on Highway 120 makes it a natural break on a road trip.
If you go, respect private property and posted signs. Check ahead on what is currently open to the public, since access can change.
9. Sespe Hot Springs, Los Padres National Forest
Among the hottest natural springs in California, this backcountry destination sits deep in the Los Padres National Forest. It ranks as one of the state’s most remote soaks, reachable only by a long wilderness hike.
The water emerges extremely hot, so soakers channel it into cooler pools built along the creek. The heat is a big part of the site’s reputation among experienced backpackers.
Because the trail runs many miles through rugged terrain, this trip is best for people who are comfortable with multi-day backpacking. There is no fee to soak, but a wilderness permit and careful planning are essential.
Carry plenty of water and check trail and fire conditions before setting out. The effort keeps visitor numbers low, which is exactly what draws solitude seekers to this corner of the forest.
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