Remington hot spring next to Kern river
Lake Isabella area have several great hot springs but some of them are in the private property which requires owner's permit to reach. Over the years, several people made attempt to develop along the Kern river as resorts or hotels but all failed so some of those sites are still avaialble but in the private land. One of the best public primitive hot spring was the miracle hot spring where several cement soaking pools fed by natural hot spring just about right (100 to 120 degree depend on location) then you can cool off in the Kern river where you can swim along side beavers. However, due to the popularity (only few hours from Los Angeles), so many people jammed in to the small rocks area and caused safety problem so the land management sut the place down by bulldozing it, sadly. Right next to the hot spring was one of better camp ground in the entire Kern river area called Hobo camp ground which is managed by the Forest service. The hot spring's history probably goes back to ancient times and Indian tribal times but in modern time hostory the place was originally known as Compressor Hot Springs or Clear Creek Hot Springs and Hobo hot springs which derived from hobos who worked in the Borel power plant. Back in 20's someone leased land from the Forest service and built a serious hotel with therapists and nice rooms with hot bath but the hotel burned to the ground in 1975. Fortunaly, from the shut down Miracle hot spring, you can drive few miles south to find [still open] Remington hot spring which is in a beautiful setting on the Kern River. Remington Hot Spring is consist of 2 main pools where one is right next to the river and the other is few steps up hill from the large River pool. There are many locals who loves the hot spring so it seems always clean and the quality of the water is at best. Sometimes it gets flooded mostly in the summer after the rain but almost open 365 days a year.
There are 3 more hot springs around Kern river valley; Democrat, Delonegha, and Scovern but they are all locating in private property so you may want to check before you visit them.
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Deep Creek
Deep Creek is a God sent hot spring in the desert. Due to the short proximity (approximately 100 miles) from the one of the largest cosmopolitan in the world (L.A.), one can imagine that the place will be flooded by people but it's not. The main reason is that you can get there by car, you must walk about 1 hour in the desert to get there.

Deep Creek is for serious hiker and serious hot spring affeccionados only. I saw many people who struggle during the hike back - serious incline - especially during the hot summer day where it can get up to 120 plus F. without good physical conditions and tons of water, hiking an hour plus in the arid desert could bring one's life to abrupt end. Best way to get there is using Bowen Ranch which offers closest parking lot to the hot spring for 4 or 5 dollars. If you don't want to pay the parking fee, you can alternatively park in reservoir then hike in like 8-10 miles which isn't too bad but I think the Bowen ranch is best bet. Deep Creek is locating on the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) which is the jewel in the crown of America’s scenic trails, spanning 2,650 miles from Mexico to Canada through three western states. http://www.fivemillionsteps.com/trailmap.php
At the deep creek, I met a guy (completely tanned) who started his walking few weeks ago in San Diego and he already completed the other trail ACT (Appalachian Crest Trail). PCT normally takes about 6 months of walking and I failed to ask him what he was doing for living. Perhaps I should start creating HST or Hot Springs Trail myself someday
On the way to Deep Creek. It's about an hour walk from the parking lot but very steep hill (about mile down and mile up... that's a huge elevation change). My dog got dehydrated one summer so I had to carry him out. I've also heard that many people dehydrated by not having enough water and many people shared them with water.... make sure you have anough water when you venture in to desert like this. A gallon may not be too much to carry.
My hot spring buddy Archie Bunker - he likes to dip in hot spring and swim in the cold stream.
Deep Creek from the other side of river view. You can cannon ball to the river and swim to cool off from the heat.
Travertine hot spring
Travertine Hot Springs
Travertine hot springs are locating near Bridgeport, CA.
http://www.bridgeportcalifornia.com/
The town is probably one of the prettiest around that area with many bed and breakfast inns plus bakery (what I've heard was that the baker actually maintain the tub and take good care of it.) The hot spring is locating behind hill of ranger station (Jack Sawyer rd) and if you look around you can find after driving about a mile. It's very easy to get to but no signs so you may want to ask locals about the tub if you are having hard time. This place is popular but due to remoteness of the location you can still enjoy without staying in line. There are two tubs in the hot springs. One is much nicer one and easy to get to from the road but the lower one has majestic view of Sierra mountains and especially when snows, it has spectacular view on it. The town was busy around late 1870s due to the near by mining town Bodie (
ghost town of
Bodie). It became a ghost town now but it must been one of the largest town during that time. It's worth visit along with the Mono Lake which is not far from there as well.
One of the source of Travertine Hot Springs
Keough Hot Springs near Bishop, CA
http://www.keoughshotsprings.com/
Keough hot spring
is locating on the 395 near Bishop (8.5 miles South). It's North of Big Pine just off hwy 395 so make sure to watch a small road sign Keough Hot Spr. Rd all the way up to the resort. The resort (well developed but very primitive) is rather empty but the hot spring is very nice. It charges about $10 per person but not too bad considering using of huge hot water swimming pool. The thermal pool is well maintained and natural hot water was no doubt enjoyable. I wish they designed the facility more naturally assimilated with desert surroundings but oh well.... can't always get what I want.

Entrance of the Keough
The Keough hot spring overflow run down the stream and creates several natural hot springs near by which are totally free if you prefer one. Many locals using the primitive ones and sometime it gets tough to get in.
Near by Keough, locals enjoying the natural tub like this.
Hot ditch videos from various sources;
//www.youtube.com/watch?v=mHHgXkLdlQ8
//www.youtube.com/watch?v=gPgud_cHPLI
Holtsville
Holtville is known as capital of Carrot north of US/Mexico border on I-8 near El Centro CA. The hotspring is locating next to palm surrounded desert oasis which fed by the natural hot spring. It's not well maintained but once volunteers clean up the place it becomes a desert oasis and hot spring especially in the middle of hot summer. This ares is well known for high heat which normally maintain above 115 degrees throughout the summer.
http://www.desertdutch.org/hotsprings.htm
Desert Hot Springs Lido Palms hotel - a hot oasis in the desert
Desert Hot Springs
Near Palm Springs, there's not so known hot spring enclave called desert hot spring or DHS. DHS was established by Cabot Yerxa, who discovered hot water on Miracle Hill and built his homestead around it with genius adobe engineering in 1913 which is now serving as Pueblo adobe museum. Desert Hot Springs became a hot spring spa town in 50s with many spa hotels and attracted many people even away from Palm Springs. According to legend Al Capone was once hid in the spa hotel escaping from the Federal agents in Chicago. Today, DHS has over 50 small boutique spa hotels and private onsens. Central to the spa town is dhsspa which has best hot pools in town.
http://www.dhsspa.com/

Desert Hot Springs Inn - one of the oldest modern resort in Palm Springs area.
Sycamore Hot Springs near Avila Beach, CA is one of the best developed hot springs in the U.S. It costs around $20 per tub for an hour but it's well worth it and sometimes without red\servation, can't get in !! It's well develped on the wooded hill and privacy is well guarded by wooden panels and natural obstables. This place is absoluetly best for lovers!
http://www.sycamoresprings.com/mineral_springs.html
