Remington Hot Springs

What to expect

Remington Hot Springs is a set of small, hand-built soaking tubs on the bank of the Kern River in Old Kern Canyon, in Sequoia National Forest just west of Bodfish and Lake Isabella. It sits at about 2,200 feet, among granite boulders and riverside trees, with the sound of the river right beside you.

There are four tubs. Three sit at the water’s edge and are made of local stone and cement, with drains so they can be emptied and scrubbed: a narrow rectangle about 3 by 7 feet, an oval about 6 by 8 feet, and a larger teardrop about 8 by 12 feet. Two have built-in stone benches. Water from the source fills the top tub first and spills down into the others, so the first one is hottest and the last is coolest. One account measured the source at about 106°F41°C, cooling to around 100°F38°C in the soaking pools. About 50 feet up the slope is the Miners Tub, a small stone and cement basin built against a boulder that fits one or two people.

The tubs are looked after by local volunteers known as the Kern River Hot Springs Angels, who power wash them from time to time. There are no toilets, trash cans or changing areas at the pools. Expect company. This is one of the best-known free soaks within reach of Bakersfield, and it is rare to have it to yourself on a weekend.

Status and the Miracle Hot Springs closure

You may read online that Remington was closed indefinitely in 2024. As far as we can find, that is a mix-up. In February 2024, after a second death in less than two years, the Forest Service announced an indefinite closure of Miracle Hot Springs, about 1.5 miles away near Hobo Campground, and said the area would stay closed until a long-term solution was found. Its tubs had already been removed after the first death in 2022. We found no matching closure order for Remington.

Because the Forest Service pages for this area could not be reached when we checked, call the Kern River Ranger District at 760-376-3781 before a long drive, especially after storms or during high river flows.

Getting there

Remington is in Old Kern Canyon, on the original route of Kern Canyon Road, which runs along the river below the newer CA-178 highway.

• From Bakersfield: Drive east on CA-178 through the Kern River Canyon toward Lake Isabella. Take the Borel Road exit, go about 0.3 miles, then turn right onto Kern Canyon Road. Drive about 3.4 miles and turn right into a dirt parking lot at the edge of the canyon. Allow around an hour from Bakersfield.
• From Lake Isabella or Kernville: Head west on CA-178 to the Borel Road exit and follow the same directions.

The lot is unpaved and fills on weekends. The trail starts from the side of the lot and drops about a quarter mile to the river on a steep, zigzagging dirt path. It is not marked well, and it is loose in places and slick after rain. Wear real shoes, not flip-flops, and carry a headlamp if there is any chance you will climb back after dark.

When to go

Spring and fall are the best seasons. The air is mild, and a soak in 100°F38°C water is welcome. Spring snowmelt, though, can push the river high.

Summer is hot in the canyon, and the hottest tubs can feel like too much by midday. Early mornings are better. Winter soaks are pleasant on clear days, but storms can damage Kern Canyon Road and close it with little notice.

The biggest variable is the river. Releases from Isabella Dam upstream can raise the Kern quickly, and high water can swamp the lower tubs or cut off access completely. Heavy rains and floods have washed out the pools before, and volunteers have rebuilt them. Weekday mornings are the quietest time to visit.

Rules and etiquette

• Free entry. There is no fee for parking or soaking.
• No camping at the springs. Signs posted since 2020 ban camping at the site, and rangers do patrol.
• No glass. Broken glass on the rocks is a real hazard for bare feet.
• No soap or shampoo in the tubs. The water drains back to the river.
• Clothing is optional in practice. Nudity is common. If that bothers you, pick a different spot.
• Dogs should be leashed and kept out of the tubs.
• Share the tubs. They are small. Rotate out if people are waiting.
• Pack out everything, including food scraps and toilet paper.

Where to stay nearby

• Hobo Campground, about 2 miles east on Kern Canyon Road, is a Sequoia National Forest campground beside the river and the closest place to camp legally.
• Sandy Flat Campground, also on Kern Canyon Road, is another riverside Forest Service campground in the same stretch of canyon.
• Lake Isabella, a short drive east, has motels, restaurants and supplies, and Kernville, further up the valley, has lodges, rafting outfitters and more campgrounds along the Upper Kern. Bakersfield has the widest range of hotels.

Safety notes

• The river: The Kern River has fast, cold currents and has drowned many people over the years. Do not swim in it, and keep kids and dogs well back from the edge, especially during high flows.
• Water temperature: The top tubs can be hot. Test with a hand first, keep soaks short, and get out if you feel dizzy.
• Water quality: These are undeveloped, untreated tubs shared by many visitors. Do not put your head under, and skip soaking if you have open cuts. One visitor in 2020 reported a sewage smell and chose not to get in.
• Footing: The trail and the rocks around the tubs are steep and slippery. Most injuries at sites like this happen on the way down, not in the water.
• Car break-ins: Do not leave valuables visible in your car at the lot.

History

The Tübatulabal people lived in this part of the Kern River Valley and used the springs for thousands of years. Gold Rush miners later soaked here, and the waters were long promoted locally for their supposed healing powers. No buildings remain. The tubs you see today are the work of volunteers.