Hot Springs Near Yosemite National Park
Yosemite National Park is a cathedral of stone, a landscape carved by glaciers and punctuated by the thunder of falling water.
While Yosemite Valley itself is famous for its cold, pristine snowmelt, the surrounding region offers a sophisticated network of mineral-rich seeps and world-class wellness retreats.
To experience "the soak" here is to participate in a ritual as old as the Mono Lake Paiute and Ahwahneechee cultures that first mapped these springs. From the travertine terraces of Bridgeport to the high-end magnesium circuits of the park’s western gateways, the Yosemite region offers a thermal spectrum that balances the ruggedness of the High Sierra with the precision of modern wellness.
1. Travertine Hot Springs
This is one of my favorite Sierra hot springs. I took my kids here one cold winter morning. The car said 15F but we sucked it up and gave it a shot. The springs are a short walk from the parking lot and not very busy. We brought our fluffy hotel towels and quickly got in the water. The heat was perfect and we did not become icicles!
There were some campers and tents so it’s clear you can also camp here. I imagine that’s beautiful to sit in the springs while looking at the stars in the clear sky.
Or stay warm nearby at Walker River Lodge with a seasonal outdoor pool and hot tub, this Bridgeport lodge is 45 miles from the Eastern Gate at Yosemite National Park.
Located just outside the town of Bridgeport, Travertine Hot Springs is a geological masterpiece. The water flows over colorful travertine terraces, creating a series of rock-lined pools with stunning views of the Sawtooth Ridge. It is arguably the most photogenic natural soak in California.
Water Quality: 4 stars. The water is clean but high in natural sediment and calcium carbonate, which creates a soft, slippery "mud" on the bottom of the pools.
Ease of Access: 5 stars. Accessible via a short, well-maintained dirt road off Highway 395. It is easily reachable by standard vehicles in summer.
Ability to be Alone: 2 stars. Its fame makes it a social hub. Expect to share the pools with fellow travelers, especially during sunset.
Water Temperature: 4 stars. Several pools vary in temperature as the water cools while moving away from the source; generally ranging from 98°F to 105°F.
Health Benefits: 5 stars. Exceptionally high in bicarbonate and sulfur, known for soothing skin conditions and promoting deep relaxation.
Nearby Amenities: 3 stars. Basic pit toilets are available. Full services are located 5 minutes away in Bridgeport.
2. Buckeye Hot Springs
Buckeye offers a more "wild" experience than Travertine. The springs cascade down a hillside into rock-walled pools sitting right on the edge of Buckeye Creek. The contrast between the hot mineral water and the cold rushing stream is a quintessential Sierra experience.
Unfortunately, these springs are severely impacted by overuse. The upper springs in particular have algae overgrowth from constant use. The lower springs also have very heavy use, but inflow from Buckeye Creek helps reduce algae growth.
You can stay within walking distance on the National Forest’s Buckeye Campground. Or you can stay in town at the pet friendly Ruby Inn Bridgeport with an outdoor hot tub, BBQ facilities, and a daily continental breakfast.
Water Quality: 4 stars. The pools are continuously flushed by the hillside cascade, though some river silt is common during high water periods.
Ease of Access: 3 stars. Requires a drive on a winding dirt road followed by a steep, slippery scramble down to the river bank.
Ability to be Alone: 3 stars. While popular, the riverside location offers enough space to find a semi-private corner if you arrive early.
Water Temperature: 4 stars. The pools are quite hot (100°F–105°F), but you can easily regulate your temperature by letting in a splash of cold creek water.
Health Benefits: 4 stars. Significant mineral presence with the added benefit of contrast therapy (hot/cold plunging) in the creek.
Nearby Amenities: 2 stars. No facilities at the springs. Excellent camping is available nearby at Buckeye Campground.
3. Benton Hot Springs
Located at a historic stagecoach station east of Yosemite, Benton Hot Springs offers a "private natural" experience. You can rent campsites or rooms that feature their own private redwood tubs fed directly by the natural hot springs. It is the gold standard for those seeking historical authenticity and privacy.
Benton Hot Springs features 13 hot tub sites that are fed by natural hot spring water. Hot tubs average $100 a night.
Each site has a private hot tub, picnic table and fire grill. Visitors can pitch a tent or park their camper or trailer at the site.
Tub sites 14 and 15 are situated in a secluded area on the edge of a large meadow, providing stunning views of mountains and valley, as well as exceptionally dark night skies ideal for stargazing.
Okay this is important to avoid disappointment! Children, fires, dogs, generators, excessive light illumination and loud noises are strictly prohibited. To ensure a peaceful experience, each site accommodates a maximum of two people. Clothing is optional.
Benton is centrally located to access many well known natural sites such as the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest, Laws Museum , Mono Lake, Mammoth Lakes, June Lake, designated Wilderness areas, and Yosemite National Park.
Water Quality: 5 stars. The water is piped directly from the spring to individual tubs, ensuring it is crystal clear and pristine.
Ease of Access: 5 stars. Located right in the small town of Benton with easy paved access from Highway 6.
Ability to be Alone: 5 stars. Since you rent your own tub, privacy is guaranteed. It is a sanctuary for those who dislike communal soaking.
Water Temperature: 5 stars. You have individual control over the flow rate, allowing you to dial in your perfect soaking temperature.
Health Benefits: 4 stars. Known for being very "soft" water with a high pH, leaving the skin feeling rejuvenated without the strong sulfur smell.
Nearby Amenities: 4 stars. Features a historic B&B and well-maintained campsites. A small store and cafe are nearby.
4. Ascent Spa at Tenaya Lodge
Sitting just outside the South Entrance to Yosemite, Tenaya Lodge offers a high-end "Forest Thermal" experience. This is not a wild spring, but a sophisticated spa that utilizes the minerals and botanicals of the Sierra to create a professional wellness circuit.
Water Quality: 5 stars. Impeccable. The facility uses advanced ozone and UV filtration to maintain clinical purity.
Ease of Access: 5 stars. A premier resort located right on Highway 41; very easy to reach with full valet and parking services.
Ability to be Alone: 4 stars. Features private relaxation rooms, individual steam rooms, and quiet zones that feel worlds away from the park crowds.
Water Temperature: 5 stars. Multiple pools, steam rooms, saunas, and hot tubs allow for a perfectly customized thermal experience.
Health Benefits: 3 stars. Primarily focused on the relaxation and sensory benefits of the environment, though they offer mineral-infused body treatments.
Nearby Amenities: 5 stars. World-class dining, luxury lodging, and guided tours into Yosemite are all on-site.
5. Wild Willy’s Hot Springs
Located in the heart of the Long Valley Caldera, Wild Willy’s (also known as Crowley Hot Springs) features a long wooden boardwalk that leads to two large, heart-shaped pools. The panoramic views of the Sierra and the White Mountains are unmatched.
5-7 min easy walk leads to 3-4 small pools that can hold 8-10. One of them are pretty hot and the others are warm hot. The water temperature is about 40℃ (104℉).
Turn left from Highway 395 S into Bento Crossing Road and drive down for around 3 miles. That's when you'll turn right into an unmarked and unpaved road.
During the winter they close the main road to get there so you have to park and walk about 1.45 miles. Take snow shoes! During the other seasons the road is open and then hot springs are only a couple minute walk.
Recommend bringing water shoes or sandals the rocks in the pools are small and sharp.
Stay nearby at the beautiful Convict Lake Resort with free self-parking, pet-friendly rooms, and kitchen.
Water Quality: 3 stars. The pools are large and popular; water can become cloudy during peak hours, and there is a noticeable sulfur odor.
Ease of Access: 4 stars. A well-maintained boardwalk makes the walk from the parking lot easy and protects the surrounding marshland.
Ability to be Alone: 1 star. This is one of the most famous springs in the region. It is almost always busy, especially with the younger "van-life" community.
Water Temperature: 4 stars. Consistently warm (around 98°F to 102°F), making it comfortable for long, social soaks.
Health Benefits: 4 stars. High mineral content characteristic of the caldera region; excellent for relaxing muscles after a day of hiking.
Nearby Amenities: 2 stars. No facilities on-site. The town of Mammoth Lakes is about 15 minutes away.
6. Rush Creek Lodge Spa
Adjacent to the Big Oak Flat entrance, Rush Creek Lodge recently opened a state-of-the-art spa that emphasizes "Indoor-Outdoor" wellness. It is inspired by the textures of Yosemite, featuring a magnesium-rich pool and cold-plunge experiences.
Water Quality: 5 stars. Pristine and filtered to the highest standards, featuring a unique "magnesium soak" designed for muscle recovery.
Ease of Access: 5 stars. Located right on Highway 120; effortless access for those entering or exiting the park.
Ability to be Alone: 4 stars. The spa is large and expertly designed to ensure guests have their own space; it feels much more private than a natural spring.
Water Temperature: 5 stars. Features a warm mineral pool, a hot tub, a cool mist room, and a cold plunge for full contrast therapy.
Health Benefits: 4 stars. The use of magnesium in the soaking water is a specific therapeutic benefit for physical recovery.
Nearby Amenities: 5 stars. Includes a full restaurant, bar, modern lodging, and a general store.
7. Keough’s Hot Springs
Out in the middle of nowhere about a 15 minute drive south of Bishop. Winter is the perfect time to go because the entire area is ethereal, surrounded by snowy mountains, the atmosphere bends the light in strange ways.
For those exploring the Owens Valley southeast of Yosemite, Keough’s is a step back in time. Established in 1919, it features the largest natural hot springs pool in the Eastern Sierra. The water flows from the ground at 130°F and is cooled to a perfect soaking temperature.
The perfect scene to swim some laps in the 89 degree pool and then melt away your tension in the 104 degree mineral springs. Bring sandals and a towel.
You can stay on the grounds all day and enjoy for $14 (adult). If you leave the grounds, you have to buy another pass if you want to come back the same day.
The showers require tokens to use, but you can only get the tokens during business hours (generally 11AM-6PM).
Water Quality: 4 stars. The water is naturally high in 27 different minerals. It has a slight odor and the pool has a historic, rustic feel.
Ease of Access: 5 stars. Fully paved access with a large parking lot and clear signage.
Ability to be Alone: 2 stars. It is a popular community pool and social hub; expect lots of families and social interaction.
Water Temperature: 5 stars. Features a large soaking pool (86°F–89°F) and a smaller hot pool (104°F) for therapeutic use.
Health Benefits: 5 stars. One of the most mineral-dense springs in the state, historically recommended for joint pain and circulation.
Nearby Amenities: 4 stars. Offers glamping tents, vintage trailers, and a snack bar. Bishop is a short drive away.
8. Hilltop Hot Springs
Also known as Pulkey’s Pool, Hilltop is a man-made tub fed by a natural spring via a long pipe. It sits on a small hill in the middle of a vast meadow, offering a 360-degree view of the mountains. It is easily accessible from the parking lot, probably 0.3 miles hike.
It was like a small hot tub in the ground that could fit eight people. The water was piped in from a higher spring. The water was hot feeling like it was 90 to 95 degrees. The large long white pipe is the hot. There is a valve to adjust the flow. Temp when we arrived was well over 110.
Be careful the rocks are slippery.
This is a nice place to enjoy a sunrise or sunset. If you are there in the summer you will need mosquito repellant.
Stay nearby at the beautiful Convict Lake Resort with free self-parking, pet-friendly rooms, and kitchen.
Water Quality: 4 stars. Because it is a small tub fed by a pipe, the water turnover is high, keeping it relatively clean for a natural spring.
Ease of Access: 4 stars. A short, flat walk on a well-worn path from the parking area.
Ability to be Alone: 2 stars. The tub is small (fits about 6 people), so you will likely be sharing it with strangers.
Water Temperature: 5 stars. There is a valve at the end of the pipe that allows you to control the flow of hot water into the tub.
Health Benefits: 4 stars. High mineral content with the added psychological benefit of a stunning, wide-open vista.
Nearby Amenities: 2 stars. No facilities. It is a "back-to-nature" experience.
9. Mono Hot Springs
Deep in the Sierra National Forest (accessible via a long, winding road from the western side), Mono Hot Springs is a legendary destination. It feels like a John Muir-era camp, with natural rock tubs scattered throughout the forest and along the San Joaquin River.
Water Quality: 4 stars. The natural rock tubs are clean, but you may encounter some leaves and river sediment.
Ease of Access: 1 star. The drive is notorious—a narrow, one-lane mountain road that takes hours to navigate. It is for dedicated enthusiasts only.
Ability to be Alone: 4 stars. Because of the difficult access, the crowds are thinner, and the numerous scattered tubs allow for solitude.
Water Temperature: 5 stars. There are dozens of springs in the area with temperatures ranging from tepid to scalding.
Health Benefits: 5 stars. Famous for its "Doris Spring," which is exceptionally high in minerals and has been a wellness destination for a century.
Nearby Amenities: 3 stars. Includes a rustic lodge, a cafe, and a small general store. It is very remote.
10. Yosemite Valley Wellness
While not a hot spring, the wellness services offered within Yosemite Valley (at the Yosemite Valley Lodge and The Ahwahnee) are essential for the park visitor. These facilities offer a convenient way to integrate recovery into a busy hiking itinerary.
Located 40 minutes away in Midpines (at the Yosemite Bug). This wellness center features a stellar garden deck, yoga studio, oxygen-fed hot tub, and a hot rocks sauna.
Water Quality: 5 stars. Standard pristine municipal water used in the hotel's pool and spa facilities.
Ease of Access: 5 stars. Located right in the heart of Yosemite Valley; no extra travel required.
Ability to be Alone: 2 stars. These facilities are busy, as they serve the park’s main lodging areas.
Water Temperature: 3 stars. Standard heated pools and whirlpools; no specialized thermal circuits.
Health Benefits: 2 stars. Primarily sensory relaxation and relief for sore muscles after a day on the Mist Trail.
Nearby Amenities: 5 stars. You are in the heart of the park with access to all its services, dining, and transportation.
