Wild Willy's Hot Springs
95–105°F
Pool temperatures
Short walk
Easy access
Free
No fee reported
Wild Willy's, also called Crowley Hot Springs, is a free BLM hot spring in the Long Valley Caldera. Two or three shallow pools sit at the end of a boardwalk about a quarter mile from a gravel lot, reached by a rough dirt road off Benton Crossing Road. Soaking is clothing optional in practice, and the site is popular and busy on weekends.
01 · Before you go
Plan your visit
What to expect on the ground: rules, facilities and when to go.
- Dogs allowed
- Clothing optionalCommon here, not official policy
- Camping nearbyFree dispersed camping on BLM land along the access road. Crowley Lake Campground is about 6 miles away.
- Toilets
- 2–3 pools
- BusyLate May to early October for road access.
- Good for kids
- SeasonThe dirt access road is gated or impassable in snow. In winter, visitors park on Benton Crossing Road and walk or snowshoe about a mile extra. Late May to early October is the easiest window.
- Free to soakNo fee reported by multiple guides.
Best time to go. Late May to early October for road access. Arrive late evening or on weekdays to avoid a full parking lot.
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 BLM Bishop Field Office.
Checked 14 Oct · updated daily
Last BLM notices were a 2022 road reroute (Aug 8-10, 2022) and earlier road maintenance. Trip reports from Jan to Mar 2026 describe a seasonal road closure that adds about a mile of walking in snow.
The dirt road is rough and potholed, and low-clearance cars may struggle. Pools are shallow and temperatures vary between pools. The boardwalk ends at the first pool, with no path between pools. Winter snow can block the road.
03 · Route
Getting there
Nearest town: Mammoth Lakes.
- 1
From US 395, turn onto Benton Crossing Road (Green Church Road) about 13 miles south of Mammoth Lakes, or about 35 miles north of Bishop.
- 2
Drive east roughly 2.5 to 3 miles, cross the cattle guards, and turn right onto the unmarked dirt road.
- 3
Follow it about a mile to the gravel parking lot.
- 4
From there a boardwalk and gravel path of roughly a quarter mile leads to the pools.
37.6570, −118.7640 · nearest town Mammoth Lakes, CA
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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