Bashford's Hot Mineral Spa

What to expect

Bashford’s Hot Mineral Spa is an RV park in the open desert east of the Salton Sea, at the foot of the Chocolate Mountains. It is a winter community first and a hot spring second. Most guests are retirees who park their rigs for weeks or months, and the soaking is part of daily life rather than a special outing.

Hot water from a well about 530 feet deep comes up at around 150°F66°C and is cooled before use. It feeds three kinds of soaking:

• Six private mineral baths. Individual tubs that you fill and drain yourself. Each soak starts with fresh mineral water, and you control the temperature by how long you let it cool or how much you mix.
• A heated swimming pool. Used for laps and the park’s pool aerobics classes.
• A heated jacuzzi pool. A shared hot pool.

The rest of the park is practical: 143 full hookup sites, tent sites, a dump station, laundry, propane, a recreation room, a card room, pool tables, horseshoe courts, a picnic area and a community fire ring. The activity calendar is busy in season, with dancing, bingo, bunco, yoga, card games, jam sessions, karaoke, Saturday night dances and church services.

Do not come expecting a spa. Visitor reports describe a plain, easygoing place where the mineral baths are the main attraction. One recent review noted that only three of the six baths were working during a spring visit and that the office was temporarily closed because of staff illness. Facilities can vary, so set your expectations accordingly.

Getting there

Bashford’s is at 10590 Hot Mineral Spa Road, Niland, about 15 miles north of Niland and about 50 miles south of Indio.

• From Indio or the Coachella Valley: Drive south on State Route 111 along the east shore of the Salton Sea for about 40 miles. Turn left (east) on Hot Mineral Spa Road and continue about 3.5 miles to the park.
• From Niland or Brawley: Drive north on SR-111 to Hot Mineral Spa Road, then turn right (east) for about 3.5 miles.

The roads are paved, and the park handles big rigs and pull-through sites. Fuel and groceries are limited in this part of the desert, so fill up in Indio, Mecca or Brawley.

When to go

The park is only open from October 15 to May 15. Summer heat in this part of the Imperial Valley is severe, and the season is built around the winter months.

• October and early November: The season opens. Days can still be hot, but nights cool off and the park is quieter before the winter residents arrive.
• December to February: Peak season. Days are mild, nights can be cold, and a hot bath after sunset is the whole point. The activity calendar is full.
• March to mid-May: Warmer by the week. Soak in the morning or evening and expect the park to thin out as long-stay guests head north.

If you want a bath without a wait, try mid-morning on a weekday, after the early risers and before the afternoon.

Prices and booking

The rates below come from the operator’s own rate page. That page has not been updated in several years, and a recent camping directory lists overnight sites at $38 to $45 a night, so treat these figures as a guide and confirm by phone at (760) 354-1315.

• Day use: $15 per person, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Full hookups: $50 a night, $285 a week, or $540 a month plus metered electric.
• Without hookups: $42 a night or $210 a week.
• Extra guests: $10 per person per night. Basic rates cover all baths and facilities for two people.
• RV storage: listed at $75 a month, with yearly rates available.
• Check-out: noon.

The operator says all facilities are for registered guests, so check in at the office before using the baths, including for day use. Reservations are not normally needed, but clubs and groups should call ahead. Email the office at [email protected].

Bath etiquette is simple. Rinse out the tub when you finish, do not use soap in the mineral water, and keep your soak to a reasonable length if others are waiting.

Where to stay nearby

On site: Bashford’s itself is the place to stay, with full hookup RV sites, dry sites and tent sites.

Other options: The Salton Sea State Recreation Area has campgrounds along the northeast shore of the sea, north on SR-111. Niland, 15 miles south, has very limited services. For motels and restaurants, Brawley and El Centro to the south or Indio to the north are the nearest larger towns, each roughly an hour’s drive or less.

Safety notes

• Hot water: The well water is far too hot to use straight, which is why the tubs are cooled before you get in. Always test the bath with your hand first, keep soaks short, and get out if you feel faint.
• Desert heat: Early October and May can bring days well above 90°F32°C. Drink plenty of water and avoid long soaks in the middle of the day.
• Electrical hookups: One recent visitor found a site’s electric box did not ground properly. Use a surge protector and check your hookup before plugging in.
• Remoteness: The park is far from hospitals and big stores. Arrive with supplies and any medicines you need.
• Salton Sea air: Dust and strong odors from the receding sea can drift inland on windy days. People with breathing problems may want to stay indoors when it is dusty.

Nearby stops worth adding

The operator’s own list of local trips is a good place to start. Salvation Mountain, the hand-painted hillside just east of Niland, is an easy drive south. The Sonny Bono Salton Sea National Wildlife Refuge at the south end of the sea draws large numbers of migrating birds in winter. The mud pots near the southeast shore bubble with geothermal gas, and the Salton Sea visitor center explains why the lake exists at all. Off-road trails, fishing and day trips to Mexicali round out the list.