Iva Bell Hot Springs
97–104°F
Pool temperatures
11.3mi
Hike, one way
Paid
Fees apply
Iva Bell Hot Springs is a series of natural pools terraced on a hillside above Fish Creek in the Eastern Sierra. It is reached by a long, strenuous hike of about 11 to 13 miles each way from the Reds Meadow area near Mammoth Lakes. Most visitors backpack in with a reserved wilderness permit, and pool temperatures are reported from the high 90s to about 104 F.
01 · Before you go
Plan your visit
What to expect on the ground: rules, facilities and when to go.
- Camping nearbySeveral campsites sit near the springs, with more at the Fish Creek bridge and a backcountry site about 4.5 miles in. An overnight wilderness permit is required, and the entry trailhead is named Fish Creek.
- 6 pools
- QuietSummer to fall, which is the permit quota season.
- Reservations required
- SeasonOvernight quota season is May 1 to Nov 1, and Outdoor Project says the springs are not open year-round. The Reds Meadow valley trailhead is reached by a required summer shuttle.
- FeesReds Meadow valley visitors pay a per-person shuttle fee to reach the trailhead, per AllTrails. Overnight trips need a reserved Inyo wilderness permit. The permit cost was not verified. Day use of the Fish Creek Trail needs no permit.
Best time to go. Summer to fall, which is the permit quota season. Weekend permits fill well ahead, so book early or go midweek.
02 · Live
Conditions
Access status, weather and hazards. Closure feeds are checked automatically every morning.
Checked 14 Oct · updated daily
Trip reports from Aug and Sep 2025 describe the trail as passable, with downed trees cleared, an overgrown start and bugs. An AllTrails listing for a related trail mentions seasonal Reds Meadow Road construction closures, with the shuttle required and private vehicles allowed only before 7 am or after 7 pm. That notice is undated. Check Inyo National Forest and Devils Postpile for current alerts before going.
Long, strenuous hike with steep switchbacks and a big climb back out. Several creek crossings, including a log crossing of Sharktooth Creek. Trail can be overgrown with bugs in late summer. The trail passes through wildfire-recovery areas with downed trees, which were reported cleared in Aug 2025. Outdoor Project lists the site as sensitive habitat.
03 · Route
Getting there
Nearest town: Mammoth Lakes. Then a 11.3-mile hike, one way.
- 1
Go to the Reds Meadow valley near Mammoth Lakes and ride the mandatory shuttle to the Rainbow Falls trailhead. Hike south past Rainbow Falls and follow the Fish Creek Trail down to the Fish Creek bridge.
- 2
Continue up the south side of the creek for about 4 more miles. Cross Sharktooth Creek, where the pools are on the hillside above.
- 3
Published one-way distances vary from about 11 to 13 miles. A longer route over Duck Pass is also possible.
37.5320, −119.0250 · nearest town Mammoth Lakes, CA
These coordinates are for the spring itself, not the parking area. Navigate to the trailhead named in the directions.
04 · Where to stay
Stay nearby
Start early and stay close. Places to stay near Mammoth Lakes, from campgrounds to cabins.
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