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Every Hot Spring

Hot Creek Gorge Springs

Hot Creek Gorge Springs is a geothermal spring near Mammoth Lakes in California. Water at the source is recorded at 199°F (93°C), hot enough to scald. It is documented as closed to soaking and is listed for reference only.

199°F93°C recorded at the source
Scalding at the source. Do not enter without a cooled, mixed pool.

Hot Creek Geologic Site in the Inyo National Forest near Mammoth Lakes has boiling hot springs and geysers along Hot Creek; the site is open daily 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. with no fee. Entering the water is prohibited because earthquakes can trigger sudden eruptions and rapid temperature changes.

Facts

Coordinates
37.6650, -118.8280 (Google Maps, OSM)
Source temperature
199°F (93°C)
Access
Public land
Type
Unknown
Fee
Free
Clothing optional
Not recorded
Nearest town
Mammoth Lakes
Data sources
NOAA NCEI, Official sources (linked below). See sources

Map

Larger marker is Hot Creek Gorge Springs; smaller markers are other springs within 50 miles.

Quick answers

Can you soak at Hot Creek Gorge Springs?
No. Hot Creek Gorge Springs is documented as closed to soaking or off-limits to bathing. It is listed for reference only; see the sources on this page.
How hot is Hot Creek Gorge Springs?
The hottest recorded reading at the source is 199°F (93°C). That is the outlet temperature, not a pool temperature; water cools as it flows away from the source. Water this hot can cause serious burns, so test any pool by hand first.
Where is Hot Creek Gorge Springs?
Hot Creek Gorge Springs is near Mammoth Lakes in California, at coordinates 37.6650, -118.8280.
What other hot springs are near Hot Creek Gorge Springs?
The closest listed springs, in straight-line distance, are Hot Creek Geological Site, under 1 mi; Boiling Lake, under 1 mi; and Hot Creek Springs, under 1 mi.

Before you go

  • Temperatures are measured at the source and can be far hotter than any soaking pool. Test with a hand before stepping in.
  • Access, fees, and road conditions change. Verify with the land manager or owner; "public" here reflects survey records, not a current right of entry.
  • Water in natural springs is untreated. Keep your head above water and avoid soaking with open wounds. Some springs carry Naegleria fowleri risk.
  • Pack out everything, including soap residue. Many springs have been closed because of trash and overcrowding.

Sources

Dataset last rebuilt October 11, 2026. Not yet checked on site by a person. Access, fee, clothing and closure details appear only when a source below states them. How this data is built.

Checked against

  1. USDA Forest Servicefs.usda.gov/r05/inyo/recreation/hot-creek-geologic-site

Merged from

  1. NOAA NCEI Thermal Springs List (archived 2025): survey location and source temperature, public domain