Lower Warm Springs
Also known as Saline Valley Warm Springs
110°F
Source water (NOAA)
4WD road
Access
Unknown
Fee not verified
Lower Spring is the largest and most developed of the Saline Valley warm springs, with stone-lined concrete tubs, a shower and a vault toilet. It is in a remote part of Death Valley National Park. Clothing is commonly optional. A September 2026 fire burned the palms and damaged the plumbing, and the burned area was closed to the public at last report.
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 nearbyDispersed camping around the springs, with camping limits enforced by the NPS. After the fire, the camping area around Palm Spring and between Lower Springs and Palm Spring was reopened. The burned area at Lower Springs was closed as of Sept 17, 2026.
- Toilets & showers
- SeasonReached by the North Pass (about 7,300 ft) or South Pass (about 6,000 ft) dirt roads. These may be impassable in winter or after storms. Check current road conditions with the NPS before going.
Best time to go. October through April, when temperatures are milder. Summers are extremely hot.
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 Death Valley National Park.
Checked 14 Oct · updated daily
A backcountry fire started on Tuesday, Sept 15, 2026 in the Lower Spring area. It burned most of the roughly 80 nonnative palm trees and melted piping to and from the pools. The soaking tubs appeared undamaged in the NPS initial assessment. The campground was closed, then partly reopened on Sept 17, 2026. The burned area at Lower Springs stayed closed to public entry by order of the park superintendent.
Very remote, with long rough dirt roads and no services. Summer heat is extreme. Winter weather and storms can close the passes. The fire left hazards, including melted piping and a destroyed shed that may have held hazardous materials.
03 · Route
Getting there
Nearest town: Big Pine.
- 1
The springs are in Saline Valley, in the remote northwest part of Death Valley National Park. They are about 40 miles from the nearest paved road.
- 2
Access is by long dirt roads over North Pass or South Pass, with high clearance recommended. From the valley road, follow the signed Warm Springs Road (Bat Rock Road).
- 3
After about 7 miles you reach Lower Warm Springs, the most developed area. Middle and Palm Springs are a short distance further up the road.
36.8060, −117.7710 · nearest town Big Pine, CA
04 · Where to stay
Stay nearby
Start early and stay close. Places to stay near Big Pine, from campgrounds to cabins.
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