California (Natural) Hot Springs Hopping Guide
California is home to many beautiful hot springs, and here’s some of my favourites that are relatively closeby to each other down the highway 395. I’ve traveled to these many times years ago and recently, and I can never get over the beautiful 360 degree picturesque views as I soak in these natural springs near Mammoth and Mono lakes. Springs are so healing and such a beautiful experience, but if you aren’t typically a nature person please review the hot spring etiquette and safety guidelines (just in case!).
Hot spring etiquette:
Nudity is optional and encouraged- As these springs have become more popular over the years with people escaping the city life and civilization, I’ve noticed more and more people appearing in swimwear. I do too so I can take pictures and videos but the natural way is actually to be nude. And many hot springers are comfortable being nude and may ask if you’re okay with it. My rule of thumb, is always expect nudity, and don’t be fucking weird about it. We are all humans and it’s our natural state of being. It’s also looked down upon to wear clothing as the fabric of swimwear and clothing can trap and bring in bacteria, even though the heat will probably kill it, it’s normalised to be nude and preferred by many people. Of course, if you’re super uncomfortable don’t get naked and if you don’t want to see naked people or soak with other people then don’t bother driving this far into nature. Natural springs are much more healing than chlorine-filled hot tubs at your local “spa,” but please do respect the hippies, nature people, sore skiiers/snowboarders, climbers, and whoever else may show up and start getting naked. Obviously, don’t be weird and stare and don’t be gross and come looking for naked people to be gross and disrespectful.
Pack your trash, leave no trace- people love to soak and enjoy a drink sometimes other than water. Although soaking and eating isn’t healthy, many still do so. Whatever you bring, pack in and pack out. Don’t leave a speck of litter in these beautiful nature spots. Mother nature will not appreciate that.
Refrain from eating while soaking- not just because it’s not healthy to do so but so you don’t get crumbs in the water. Nobody wants to soak and see a bread crumb floating by.
Never “bathe” using soaps, shampoos, conditioners, or any body products including non-natural sunscreen- it can contaminate the water. Even if they are camp-safe or natural soaps, save that for your shower or rinsing off after soaking in the tub. The point of soaking is the heat relaxing your muscles and the purity of the natural spring water to cleanse you, wearing body oils, lotions, sunscreen, especially if any of these have non-natural ingredients, can be clogging and block the healing waters from healing your body.
Don’t exfoliate or rub dirt off your skin, that’s so gross, seeing other peoples’ dead skin flakes in the water. It already happens naturally, so don’t add to it by aggressively exfoliating and rubbing it off your skin.
How to hot spring correctly and safely:
Stay hydrated- and sip more often than you think even when you don’t “feel thirsty.” You’re constantly sweating and need to replenish yourself. Always have a bottle or two of water and keep it near you so you can reach it while you soak.
Only soak for 10-20min at a time. It varies depending on your heat tolerance/ heat of water and body type. Some people soak for hours on end but they know their bodies and probably do this all the time. If you aren’t sure, start off with 10-15 minutes, and of course if you feel uneasy just get out. After soaking for 10-20min, you can either sit out and have your legs still soaking or get completely out, but always drink water and rehydrate. The point is to get your body temperature back down before soaking again. If a cold plunge is available (or snow!) I highly recommend!
Listen to your body. Most people don’t know how to do this and this is how you’ll die or pass out. If you start to feel dizzy, woozy, or disoriented just get out and hydrate immediately. Any form of discomfort is not good, the springs should be a relaxing process but don’t soak too long either!
Don’t soak on an empty stomach. You should wait 30 min to digest after eating before submerging in water anyway, but if you’re hungry or on an empty stomach the hot springs will likely just heighten your hunger. You’ll also be more prone to passing out or not being able to handle too long in the tub.
I’ll include some links to some of my IG posts, there are more hot springs about an hour or two drive away that I have yet to try but here are the mains, and they are all super close to each other and don’t necessarily need a 4wd car to get to. But it is recommended lol.
The main ones here are all in the caption of my IG posts but they’re Wild Willy’s Hot Springs, Hilltop, Crab Cooker (be careful, people have died here), and Shepherd Hot Springs. There are more around but those are the main ones, and Travertine is a further drive and short hike to get to. All of these main ones are easy to walk to, a short way from the parking area and easy to find on Google Maps. Shepherd Hot springs you can drive up to but it’s one small tub and often full since the parking is so close. Check my IG for more recent updates and shit!
