Hot Creek Geologic Site

What to expect

Hot Creek Geologic Site is where Mammoth Creek, cold from the Sierra snowmelt, drops into a small gorge in the Long Valley Caldera and meets a line of hot springs rising along a pair of faults. The springs heat the creek so much that it changes its name here, to Hot Creek. The Inyo National Forest runs the gorge as a geologic interpretive site.

For decades this was one of the best-known soaks in California. People sat in the creek where hot springs mixed with cold current, and the gorge appeared in films, including the 1969 True Grit. That ended in 2006. In May of that year, after a heavy snow winter, springs in the most popular swimming spots began to geyser hot, muddy water up to about 6 feet into the air. The Forest Service fenced the area and closed it to swimming in June 2006. Rangers later said the site was not officially closed forever but was unlikely to reopen, because the springs change temperature and volume without warning and geologists do not fully understand why. The ban is still in force in 2026.

Soaking is not allowed. Do not enter the water. What you can still do is look, and the view is good. From the rim and the paved path you see:

• Blue and green pools along the creek banks, some of them at or near boiling.
• Steam and fumaroles, strongest on cold mornings, rising off the creek and from vents along the bank.
• Mineral crusts and travertine in white, red and rust, with features that appear and disappear as the ground shifts.
• Hot Creek itself winding through the gorge, lined with reeds, with the Sierra peaks above Convict Lake to the west and the Glass Mountains to the east.

Hot Creek’s springs put out a large share of the heat that leaves the Long Valley Caldera, and the U.S. Geological Survey watches them closely as part of its volcano monitoring. The springs are also home to one of only two known populations of the endangered Owens tui chub, a small native fish.

Getting there

The site is about 8 miles southeast of Mammoth Lakes, off US-395 near the Mammoth Yosemite Airport.

• From Mammoth Lakes: Take Main Street (CA-203) down to US-395 and turn south. Drive about 5.4 miles, then turn left onto Hot Creek Hatchery Road toward the airport. After about 1.2 miles, turn right to stay on Hot Creek Hatchery Road and follow it about 3.6 miles. The pavement gives way to gravel along the way. The parking lot is on the left.
• From Bishop: Drive north on US-395 and turn right onto Hot Creek Hatchery Road just past the airport.

The gravel section is usually fine for a normal car in dry weather. Drive it slowly. The road can close in winter, when the site is reached by cross-country ski, snowshoe or snowmobile.

The parking lot sits on the rim of the gorge, with overlooks and an interpretive sign right at its edge. From the east side of the lot, a paved trail drops about 0.2 miles to the creek, with one switchback, and ends at a fence. It is short but steep, and the old asphalt is broken in places. A dirt path continues along the south bank in both directions. Allow about an hour for the overlooks, the trail and the climb back.

When to go

The site is open year-round from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., though some older listings give sunrise to sunset.

Cold, clear mornings show the steam at its best, and low sun lights up the colour in the pools. Summer is busiest, and the exposed trail and overlooks get hot by midday. Spring and early summer bring wildflowers to the gorge. In winter, check road conditions with the Mammoth Lakes Welcome Center before you go.

Rules and etiquette

The Forest Service rules are short and enforced:

• Do not enter the water. No swimming, wading or soaking anywhere at the site. You can be cited.
• Stay out of fenced areas and do not climb over barriers.
• No fishing at the site.
• No overnight camping. The site is day use only.
• Leashed dogs only. Keep them away from the water, where a dog can be badly scalded.
• No fee. Entry and parking are free.

Stay on the paved trail and marked paths. Warning signs along the trail mention uneven ground and scalding water, and the crust near hot springs can be thin.

Facilities

The parking area has vault toilets and picnic tables. There is no drinking water, so bring your own. The trail is not wheelchair accessible, but the overlooks at the edge of the lot give a good view with little walking.

Where to stay nearby

• Mammoth Lakes, about 15 to 20 minutes away, has the full range of hotels, condos and restaurants, plus Forest Service campgrounds in the Lakes Basin above town. Most of the higher campgrounds close for winter.
• Convict Lake and Crowley Lake, just south on US-395, have campgrounds and small resorts.
• Dispersed camping is possible on some nearby BLM land in Long Valley, but not at the site. Check with the Mammoth Lakes Welcome Center, which handles Forest Service visitor information.

Safety notes

• Scalding water: Springs in the creek can be near boiling and can surge or erupt with no warning. People have been badly hurt here in the past. Keep everyone, including children and dogs, behind the fences and out of the water.
• Steep, broken trail: Wear proper shoes. The climb back up to the lot is short but steep, and the altitude makes it feel harder, so take it slowly.
• Sun and exposure: There is almost no shade on the trail or overlooks. Bring water, a hat and sunscreen.
• No signal: Cell coverage is poor in the gorge. Tell someone your plans if you walk the dirt path along the creek.

Nearby stops worth adding

If you came to soak, Long Valley has the answer. Free primitive tubs such as Wild Willy’s Hot Spring and Hilltop Hot Springs (Pulky’s Pool) sit a few miles east off Benton Crossing Road. Closer to Mammoth, the Inyo Craters and the Earthquake Fault walk show more of the area’s volcanic geology, and Convict Lake makes an easy loop walk with big mountain walls above it.