Top Hot Springs Along Highway 395

This past week, I have been checking out some of the amazing hot springs along the highway 395 in the Sierra Nevada.  With fires still going on in California for the past three months now, I have decided to postpone climbing or day hiking along US 395.  Hot springs along  US 395 are all excellent bathing hot springs and you can literally spend weeks sampling them all.  After sampling some of them, I feel addicted! 🙂  

One of the reasons, I love soaking in hot springs is to keep my skin smooth and healthy. Hot springs have an especially high mineral content, because heated water can hold more dissolved solids. This means they contain everything from calcium, magnesium, silica, lithium, and even radium. In other words, they’re a multivitamin for the skin.   Another reason, is to detoxify.  It is said that bathing repeatedly in hot springs can help tone your autonomic nervous system and normalize your endocrine system, as well as release toxins your body through sweating.  My third reason is reducing stress. Daily stress of modern life can take a toll on me.  Hot springs helps my body to relax.  The relaxation promoted by the heat of hot springs helps increase the range of motion of my muscles and joints.

6 top hot springs to check it out

1. Travertine Hot Spring
Travertine is located in Bridgeport, Ca and is easily accessed from Highway 395. It is one of the most popular places to check it out. Stunning Sierra views and relaxing waters reward visitors who take the short dirt road detour.   Best time to check them out is Year-round.  The road to the springs may be impassable in wet weather.  Camping is not permitted.  The nearest services are 2 miles away in Bridgeport.

2.  Buckeye Hot Spring
Two hot spring sources feed two different soaking pools adjacent to a clear stream on the eastern slope of the Sierra Nevada.  One set of pools is on the hillside and the other is creek side, both offering excellent bathing opportunities.  The thing about Buckeye hot spring is, it is super crowded.   Best time to use is early in the morning.  The nearest services are 10 miles away in Bridgeport.  

3. The Hut Tub
This large bathtub-size pool is fed by a natural hot spring in the eastern Sierra.  The tub is built out of rocks and cement and water is piped into it from the spring a short distance away.  It is one of the best bathing spots I have been to.  It is also very well known and easy to access, so don’t expect a lot of privacy.

4.  Shephard Hot Spring
Another fantastic tub has been created by diverting hot spring water into a small concrete pool is Shephard Hot Spring.  This spring is similar to others in the Long Valley area, but requires driving on a rougher road.  It is 12 miles southeast of Mammoth Lakes.

5. Crowley Hot Spring (Wild Willey)
A large rock and cement pool and a smaller is fed by a couple of hot springs sources in the scenic eastern Sierra.  It is probably one of the best springs I visited.  It is a popular spring and will of ten have people in it.  It is located southeast of Mammoth Lakes.

6.  Hiltop Hot Spring (Pulky’s Pool)
This newer, smaller concrete tub is fed by a  hot spring source a few yards away.  Located on the top of a hill, this spring also has a fantastic view  of the surrounding countryside and the Sierra Nevada.  It is located 13 miles southeast of Mammoth Lakes.