Hot Creek Gorge Hot Springs

Category: Hot Springs-soakable

GPS GeoCoords: 37.660723,-118.827781

Nudity is prohibited (Parks rules); it is ignored. Closed after sundown.

Hot Creek is located 25 miles south of Lake Mono, near Mammoth Lakes. Hot Creek was a party hot spot during the sixties though these days it is more family-oriented. The Creek is maintained by the National Park Service, and has a more official air to it as can be seen by the numerous warnings to avoid the scalding water along the hillside.

The waters are very unique as the hot water bubbles up from the bottom of the creek, where the waters are heated by magma three miles below the surface. This hot water mixes with the cold creek water. If you stand in one place for a few minutes you can feel the hot water mixing with the cold, resulting in a perfect temperature depending on where you are standing. Just be sure not to go near the restricted areas as the water is scalding in those places. Hot Creek has two bathing areas.

The first bathing area is at the bottom of the trail that leads down from the parking lot. This trail continues onto the second bathing area, that is less popular but every bit as good as the first area. Hot Creek is very popular, and many international visitors come to bathe. Located two miles south of the Mammoth Lakes turnoff from route 395, turn left onto Hot Creek Airport Road and follow the signs for about three miles. There is paved parking and bathrooms at the top. A steep walk down of 1/4 mile or so is required.