Keough Hot Ditch
124°F
Source water (NOAA)
Short walk
Easy access
Free
No fee reported
Keough Hot Ditch is a string of small rock-dammed pools along the overflow channel from Keough's Hot Springs, between Bishop and Big Pine. The pools are free and clothing is optional, mainly in the evenings. One guide says the water cools to about 90°F along the ditch. The paid resort pools are just upstream.
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 nearbyThe Keough's Hot Springs resort next door has year-round paid tent, RV and dry sites. It also has tent cabins. Rates are listed on the resort site.
- ModerateReviewers say nudity is mostly at night, so daytime suits families better.
- Free to soakThe ditch pools are free. The adjacent Keough's Hot Springs resort charges for its pools (adult day pass listed at $14 on the resort site).
Best time to go. Reviewers say nudity is mostly at night, so daytime suits families better.
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.
Checked 14 Oct · updated daily
A TripAdvisor reviewer reported the paid resort closed for a power outage on one visit (undated).
Reviewers mention broken glass and litter around the pools. High-voltage power lines run overhead and can be noisy. Water near the source is very hot and cools as it flows down the ditch, so test it before getting in.
03 · Route
Getting there
Nearest town: Bishop.
- 1
From US-395 about 7.5 miles south of Bishop (or about 7.6 miles north of Big Pine), turn west onto Keough Hot Springs Road.
- 2
Drive uphill toward the resort, which is about 0.6 miles on the resort's directions.
- 3
Take the second dirt road on the right and follow it to the pools in the overflow ditch below the resort.
- 4
It is a short walk or drive from the resort.
37.2530, −118.3730 · nearest town Bishop, CA
04 · Where to stay
Stay nearby
Start early and stay close. Places to stay near Bishop, from campgrounds to cabins.
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