Buckeye Hot Springs
90–110°F
Pool temperatures
Short walk
Easy access
Free
No fee reported
Buckeye Hot Springs is a free, undeveloped spring on the north bank of Buckeye Creek, about 10 miles southwest of Bridgeport. Hot water of about 140F comes off a hillside over travertine and cools into rock pools of roughly 90 to 110F, with a small hot waterfall. A bumpy dirt road leads to a parking area, and a short steep trail descends to the pools.
01 · Before you go
Plan your visit
What to expect on the ground: rules, facilities and when to go.
- Clothing optionalCommon here, not official policy
- Camping nearbyForest Service Buckeye Campground is about a mile from the springs. It is first come, first served, with vault toilets and no potable water. The Forest Service page showed it as closed (30 days before this search), and it is likely seasonal. Free dispersed sites are also reported along the road beyond the springs parking area. Check current status with the ranger district.
- ModerateFall and spring, when the creek is lower or the weather is mild and crowds are thinner.
- SeasonBuckeye Road is not maintained in winter and can become impassable when snow is more than a few inches deep. Call the Bridgeport Ranger District (760-932-7070) before visiting between November and April.
- Free to soakNo fee for the hot springs. Guides say entry is free and no reservation is needed. The nearby Forest Service Buckeye Campground charges a nightly fee, reported as roughly $18-$20 depending on the source.
Best time to go. Fall and spring, when the creek is lower or the weather is mild and crowds are thinner. Summer is busiest, especially on weekends and holidays. Winter is quiet but access is difficult.
02 · Live
Conditions
Access status, weather and hazards. Closure feeds are checked automatically every morning.
Access
No closures reported
No closure, fire or weather warning found in Forest Service, wildfire (NIFC) or National Weather Service feeds. That isn't confirmation it's open, so check with Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, Bridgeport Ranger District.
Checked 14 Oct · updated daily
No fire or road closure specific to the springs was found in the searches. The Forest Service Buckeye Campground page showed 'Site Closed' when checked (page age about 30 days). Winter road closures from snow are routine.
The source water is about 140F and can scald, so test the temperature before getting in, especially in the upper pools near the source. The trail down is steep and rocky, and slippery when icy. Spring snowmelt makes the creek run high and cold. The access road is washboarded and unmaintained in winter. There is no cell service.
03 · Route
Getting there
Nearest town: Bridgeport.
- 1
From US-395 at Bridgeport, go south on Twin Lakes Road for about 7 miles. Turn right onto Buckeye Road at Doc and Al's Resort.
- 2
The pavement ends after about 0.3 miles, then roughly 2.8 miles of washboarded dirt road lead to the parking area above the springs. A steep, rocky trail of about 150 to 300 feet drops to the pools.
- 3
Buckeye Road can also be reached directly from US-395 a few miles north of Bridgeport. The Forest Service campground is a mile or so further along the road.
38.2370, −119.3260 · nearest town Bridgeport, CA
04 · Where to stay
Stay nearby
Start early and stay close. Places to stay near Bridgeport, from campgrounds to cabins.
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