Hot Springs Near Mammoth Lakes

One of the best parts about Mammoth Lakes area, outside of all the snow sport activities is being able to go soak in the hot springs nearby. I have camped in the area a number of times and without fail I always find a spot to park right next to or near a hot spring so I can start and end my day with a relaxing hot soak.

There are five hot springs within a small area from one another that make it easy to drive between. The roads are dirt, not paved, and some of the paths are better than others - some of the paths are covered in large rocks. Depending on the time of year you can get there pretty easy, if it is winter the paths might be icy or snowy.

If you are feeling more adventurous there are two hot springs about an hour and a half north of these hot springs - about an hour north from Mammoth Lakes town - that are both beautiful and relaxing. There are also a ton of camping spaces, more and less developed, in the area of both hot springs if you are looking for an area to stay in outside of Mammoth.

Shepard's Hot Spring, Mammoth Lakes area

Crab Cooker Hot Spring at sunrise in Mammoth Lakes area

My excitement when I get close to Mammoth always grows because I know before I hit the town I will cross paths with the small minty green church that is the landmark next to the road to get to the hot springs. It always seems to be screaming my name and I have never resisted.

Crab Cooker and Shepard's hot springs are located near each other. You can drive directly to either, but there is also a footpath that runs between the two sites. At Crab Cooker there are camp spaces set up with the ability to have camp fires or car camp. Shepard's has space for cars to car camp and set up tents if you want but there are no fire rings in that area. You will have to pack in and pack out at both locations - there is no trash disposal.

The tubs have plastic tubes that run near or into the hot spring which allow you to adjust the water temperature at any time. Both of them run fairly warm and I have visited them during the winter months and found them to both be quite nice. The above image at Crab Cooker was me waking up to watch the sunrise and enjoy my coffee while soaking.

Rock Tub Hot Spring at Mammoth

The Rock Tub was a surprise find for me one of the last times I went camping. I had no idea it was there but I was looking for a camp spot for the night outside of Mammoth and decided to drive down the short dirt road to see if there was a good space for my car and to set up to make dinner.

The tub fits two at max. comfortably and is deep enough that the water sits at your chest. You are surrounded by views of the mountains on both sides and the views are probably my favorite from this location especially because of its size, it becomes a personal hot spring if you get there first.

Hilltop Tub near Mammoth Lakes

This tub has a short road that is closed during winter that you can normally drive down in the warmer months. The walk isn't far from the gate to the foot path to get to this hot spring. The beginning of the footpath has a gate area you can walk through and you just walk along the wood boards.

The nature around this area is beautiful and this is one of the places I camped and woke up in the morning to soak in. I will say this one definitely feels like the most developed with the foot mats around the hot spring.

The last hot spring - Wild Willy's - is not pictured because this area is usually pretty packed with people even though there is more than one tub for soaking. If you don't mind sitting close to others and want to meet new people this is the best one to go to. It has often been referred to as the party hot spring. The two times I have tried to enjoy this spring I got grossed out by the beer cans floating in the water and that people were practically sitting on top of each other to all fit.

The road to get to this small cluster of hot springs is long and narrow with a lot of large dips or rocks along the way. During peak season for this hot spring you might find yourself in a traffic jam. On one of the attempts I got stuck for about 20 minutes while people tried to figure out the best way to leave or turn around when parking was full. During winter season the road is closed and this is probably the best time to explore the hot spring if you are willing to walk the road to get there.

The last few times I have attempted this, there were several cars already parked there with a similar idea. I have to admit the surrounding area of these tubs are beautiful and have some of the best views.

Near Travertine Hot Spring, Bridgeport

Travertine Hot Spring will be the more recognizable spring versus the one I am sitting in. The Travertine spring is a large rock formation with three pools to sit in and relax. These tend to get busy and while off wandering down below I found this spring sitting alone. This one is still quite warm and has a better view in my opinion. I would say at max. three people probably fit comfortably in here.

I had a great conversation with a woman with blue mascara going to Reno the day I found this and enjoyed the beauty of the mountains. This one is definitely more secluded and I felt comfortable going in nude and there is plenty of time to hear people coming if you want to cover up.

This is probably my favorite spring to go to even though if is off of the main one. It's more private and a lot less people know about it or their group is too big to fit in it all together.

There is a developed parking lot with a restroom here. You can't camp in the parking lot but you can camp in the surrounding area. There are a few places to pull off to the side.

Buckeye Hot Spring, Bridgeport

This hot spring is off of a dirt road with a ton of places to pull off and set up camp. There are also hiking trails in the area. This hot spring is down a steep cliff side with a footpath worn into it, but I would recommend having good shoes to go up and down it because it is slippery especially near the bottom.

Near the top there is a giant tree and a barely noticeable footpath. If you go to the right there is a pool by itself big enough for six or seven people. It has the views of the hot spring below near the water.

The spring pools pictured above are the ones located at the bottom of the cliff right next to the water. On warmer days people have been known to jump into the river to cool off. The spring has one large pool where the water runs down into it and then a handful of smaller side pools you can lay in and make it your personal tub.

Down by the water it gets really muddy so be careful so you don't slip into the river. This area is really beautiful and has space to set up for a picnic or sun bathing area if you want a break from the water.

So next time you pass through Mammoth Lakes or north of there near Mono Lake stop for a dip and relax!