Upper Warm Spring
Also known as Saline Valley Warm Springs
102°F
Pool temperatures
Access unknown
Access
Unknown
Fee not verified
Upper Warm Spring is the smallest and least disturbed of the three Saline Valley springs. It has a sand-bottomed pool fed by water emerging at about 102 F, plus a cooler pool. It is in remote Death Valley National Park, reached by long rough dirt roads, and clothing is commonly optional.
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 primitive Saline Valley Warm Springs Campground serves the springs area. It was closed in September 2026 after a fire at Lower Spring. The Palm Springs section did not burn. Check NPS conditions before going.
- Toilets
- 2 pools
- SeasonThe North Pass and South Pass approaches to Saline Valley can close for snow, and washouts after heavy rain can close the access roads. NPS describes the Steel Pass and Lippincott roads as high-clearance 4WD only.
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
On Sept 15, 2026 a fire burned Lower Spring and the NPS volunteer host site, and the Saline Valley Warm Springs Campground was temporarily closed. The NPS release of Sept 16, 2026 says the Palm Springs section did not burn. A news report 24 days before this research said the park's conditions page still listed the campground as closed. Check NPS conditions for the current status of the campground and of access to Upper Spring. The 2019 NPS management plan is also relevant.
Very remote, with no cell service and a long rough dirt road. Roads can wash out after rain and passes can close in snow. Summer heat is extreme. The campground and Lower Spring area were closed in September 2026 because of fire damage and possible hazardous materials.
03 · Route
Getting there
Nearest town: Big Pine.
- 1
Reach Saline Valley by the long graded dirt Saline Valley Road. Approach from the Big Pine side over North Pass, or from Highway 190 over South Pass.
- 2
Then follow Warm Springs Road to the springs area. Upper Warm Spring is the smallest and least developed of the three springs.
- 3
Lower Spring and Palm Spring are the other two. Check current NPS road conditions first, because there is no cell service and the nearest paved road is about 40 miles away.
36.8300, −117.7360 · 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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