Hot springs in California in winter

Soaking in winter

Winter is the best time of year for most hot springs. The water feels hotter, the steam comes off the pools and the crowds thin out after the holidays. The catch is getting there. Forest roads close or go unplowed from November, trailheads disappear under snow, and a spring that was a five minute walk in September can be a long ski in January.

Every spring on this page has a winter note from its official source or recent trip reports. Resorts and town pools keep running all season, though many change their hours, so check their website before you drive. For wild springs, carry chains, tell someone where you are going, and check the spring page on the day. Our daily check flags Forest Service closures and National Weather Service winter storm warnings.

Open all winter (17)

Resorts, town pools and roadside springs on plowed roads. Most are open daily; a few close on holidays or midweek.

1. Benton Hot Springs

   Open; CA-120 may close in snow, use US 6 route.

2. Beverly Hot Springs

   City bathhouse, open daily 10am to 8pm.

3. Calistoga Spa Hot Springs

   Downtown hotel and spa, open year-round.

4. Desert Hot Springs Spa Hotel

   Motel spa; day use 8am to 10pm.

5. Elsinore Hot Springs & Lodge

   Open year-round; motel pool and jacuzzis.

6. Gaviota Hot Springs

   Short state park trail; popular fall to spring.

7. Glen Ivy Hot Springs

   Open daily 9:30am to 5pm; reservation required.

8. Grover Hot Springs State Park

   Open year-round; winter camping limited.

9. Harbin Hot Springs

   Open 24 hours, 365 days a year.

10. Indian Springs Calistoga

    Open daily year-round; pool pass needed.

11. Jacumba Hot Springs Hotel

    Pool open daily; winter weekdays least crowded.

12. Keough's Hot Springs

    Resort off US-395; hours vary by season.

13. Montecito Hot Springs

    Open year-round; 1.4 mile trail, closed on Red Flag days.

14. Murrieta Hot Springs Resort

    Day pass daily 9am to 10pm.

15. Sierra Hot Springs

    Day use Thursday to Sunday; evening soaks Wed to Sun.

16. The Spa at Séc-he

    Downtown Palm Springs spa; paid pass.

17. Vichy Springs Resort

    Baths and hot pool open year-round.

Best in winter: desert springs (10)

These low desert springs are too hot to enjoy in summer, and some trails are closed from May to September. Winter days are mild and the soaks are perfect.

1. Agua Caliente County Park Hot Springs

   Park closed in summer heat; open Labor Day to Memorial Day.

2. Borehole Spring

   Late fall through winter recommended; hot-weather mud mites.

3. Delight's Hot Springs Resort

   Low desert resort; cooler months best, summers very hot.

4. Dirty Socks Hot Spring

   Open year-round; best spring, fall and winter.

5. Mercey Hot Springs

   Winter suggested; summer days reach 92F; day use noon to 5.

6. Palm Spring, Saline Valley

   Best October to April; summer over 110F; long 4WD road.

7. Sespe Hot Springs

   Winter more comfortable than summer heat; 15.5 mile hike.

8. Slab City Hot Springs

   Low desert; summer heat extreme, cooler months better.

9. Tecopa Hot Springs

   Low desert county park; cooler months best.

10. Willett Hot Springs

    Best fall, winter, spring; 9.5 mile hike, hot summers.

Worth the extra effort (4)

Reachable in winter, but with a gated road, a snowy trail, a 4WD requirement or a boat. Plan ahead and turn back if conditions are bad.

1. Crab Cooker Hot Spring

   Dirt road snowed in; park on Benton Crossing and snowshoe.

2. Rock Tub Hot Spring

   In snow or mud, park on main road and walk.

3. Travertine Hot Springs

   Dirt road unmaintained in winter; walk 1.5 miles each way.

4. Wild Willy's Hot Springs

   Road gated by snow; walk or snowshoe extra mile.

Snowed in until spring (7)

These springs are closed or out of reach in a normal winter, usually because the road or trail is buried. They are not on the map above. Check back from late spring.

1. Blaney Meadows Hot Springs

   Area closed in winter and snowed in.

2. Buckeye Hot Springs

   Road unmaintained, impassable in snow; call ranger Nov to April.

3. Deep Creek Hot Springs

   Forest roads have winter closures; spring and fall best.

4. Drakesbad Guest Ranch Hot Springs

   Ranch open about June to mid October only.

5. Iva Bell Hot Springs

   Permit season May 1 to Nov 1; not open year-round.

6. Jordan Hot Springs

   Trail season May to Nov; road closed in winter.

7. Reds Meadow Hot Springs

   Reds Meadow Road closed for much of the year.