Country
United States
Reviews
No reviews yet
Family friendly
Yes
Season
May to October (road conditions permitting)
About Little Hot Creek Hot Springs
Little Hot Creek Hot Springs is a small, primitive soaking tub on open sagebrush land in the Long Valley Caldera east of Mammoth Lakes, at around 7,000 feet in the Eastern Sierra. A spring emerges at about 180°F and its water runs roughly 200 yards through grass along a little creek, cooling as it goes, to an oval concrete tub about 9 by 12 feet and knee-deep, with ledges inside to sit on. It comfortably holds two to four people. A short boardwalk crosses the creek and runs around the pool, and nearby benches let you cool off between soaks. Temperature varies with the weather, usually somewhere between 105 and 115°F, and soakers control it with a valve on the inflow and a drain plug in the bottom. Clothing is optional by local custom and nudity is common. Because of the rough final road it is usually quieter than the better-known tubs closer to Highway 395, though weekends can bring a wait. Cattle graze the surrounding range. There is no shade, water or toilet, and it is not suited to children.
Legal context & local rules
No official source addresses nudity at Little Hot Creek; clothing-optional soaking is a long-standing local custom on remote public land, with no known enforcement. Dispersed camping is allowed a few hundred yards from the spring (2026).
Public nudity is largely prohibited in the US under indecent exposure laws which vary significantly by state. Vermont has no state-level law against public nudity, making it unique. Florida designates specific beaches as clothing-optional (Haulover Beach, Blind Creek State Park). Federal jurisprudence under the First Amendment has occasionally recognised nude expression in protests, though states regulate for public decency standards. Most states prohibit exposure of "sexual organs" in public under statutes similar to Florida Statute § 800.03.
What’s here
Getting there and visiting
From Highway 395 south of Mammoth Lakes, take Benton Crossing Road north 1.2 miles, turn left on Whitmore Tubs Road for 3.3 miles, left on Owens River Road for 0.7 miles, then Antelope Springs Road 2.5 miles to a cattle guard, and left 0.8 miles to the spring. The last 1.5 miles are rough and bumpy; a high-clearance vehicle is recommended, and the road should be avoided when wet or snowy. Park beside the spring. No public transport; not wheelchair accessible.
What visitors say
Soakers like the tub for its isolation, big-sky caldera views and adjustable temperature, and recommend mornings for having it to yourself. Nudity is normal and expected; one visitor with children chose to go elsewhere for that reason. Reports mention the tub can be scalding if the valve has been left open, so check the water and turn off the inflow when you leave. The rough last stretch of road and occasional weekend queues are the main complaints, and some note cattle and fencing nearby. Pack out all trash.
Summarised in our own words from public reviews and guides listed under Sources.
Before you go
- 1 Check the current local rules and access conditions before travelling.
- 2 Bring a towel and sit on it when using shared seating.
- 3 Never take photographs of other people without clear consent.
- 4 Respect the venue’s clothing, privacy, and behaviour rules.
Location
⌖View this place on the map
37.6899, -118.8424
Frequently asked questions
Is Little Hot Creek clothing-optional?
Yes, by local custom; nudity is common. It is not an official designation.
How hot is the water?
The source is about 180°F; the tub usually runs 105-115°F. Check before getting in and use the valve and drain plug to adjust it.
Do I need a 4x4?
A high-clearance vehicle is recommended for the last 1.5 miles; avoid the road when it is wet or snowy.
Can I camp there?
Dispersed camping is allowed, but camp a few hundred yards away from the tub and pack out all trash.
Sources
- Little Hot Creek Hot Springs (Hot Springs Locator)
- The best Eastern Sierra hot springs (PBS SoCal)
- Lil Hot Creek (iOverlander)
- Boondocking review: Hot Creek/Benton Crossing/Whitmore Tubs Road (Wheeling It)
Researched 24 October 2026 .
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