Stay near Avila Beach
Use Sycamore Mineral Springs Resort & Spa as the trip anchor, then compare hotels or nearby town bases close enough for the soak, dinner, and the drive home.
Hot springs you can reach from Mammoth Lakes
Mammoth Lakes sits at the geographic center of the most concentrated free wild hot springs region in the continental United States. The Long Valley caldera holds dozens of free wild pools (Wild Willy's, Hilltop, Crab Cooker, Hot Tub, Pulky's Pool, Crowley Hot Tub, Shepherd's Hot Tub) plus the Hot Creek Geological Site, all within 20 minutes of town. This guide compares Travertine Hot Springs (60 minutes north near Bridgeport) and Mono Hot Springs (90 minutes west via Kaiser Pass Road, summer only).
Most Mammoth hot springs days are spent doing the Long Valley wild loop. Travertine is the half-day weekend trip north along US-395. Mono Hot Springs is a summer-only commitment because of Kaiser Pass Road's winter closure.
Our recommended Mammoth Lakes hot springs trips
Eastern Sierra free wild
Travertine Hot Springs
60 min north via US-395 to Bridgeport. Free BLM travertine terrace pools with Sierra Crest views.
Summer Sierra cabin
Mono Hot Springs
90 min west via Kaiser Pass Road. 1935 stone cabins, summer only (closed October to May).
Hot springs by distance from Mammoth Lakes
| Spring | Distance | Drive time | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mono Hot Springs Resort | 22 mi | 29 min | California |
| Travertine Hot Springs | 43 mi | 56 min | California |
| Remington Hot Springs | 146 mi | 3h 10m | California |
| Avila Hot Springs | 195 mi | 4h 14m | California |
| Tecopa Hot Springs | 196 mi | 4h 15m | California |
| Sycamore Mineral Springs Resort & Spa | 197 mi | 4h 16m | California |
Where to stay for hot springs near Mammoth Lakes
When the best soak is too far for a relaxed same-day return, compare these base towns before booking.
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Stay near Bridgeport
Use Travertine Hot Springs as the trip anchor, then compare hotels or nearby town bases close enough for the soak, dinner, and the drive home.
Stay near Lake Isabella
Use Remington Hot Springs as the trip anchor, then compare hotels or nearby town bases close enough for the soak, dinner, and the drive home.
Stay near Lakeshore
Use Mono Hot Springs Resort as the trip anchor, then compare hotels or nearby town bases close enough for the soak, dinner, and the drive home.
All hot springs within 200 miles of Mammoth Lakes
California - 22 mi
Mono Hot Springs Resort
The High Sierra's summer-only cabin resort: 1935 stone cabins along Mono Creek with multiple natural mineral baths, accessed by a
California - 43 mi
Travertine Hot Springs
The Eastern Sierra's iconic free wild soak: travertine terrace pools on a hillside above Bridgeport Valley with Sierra Crest views
California - 146 mi
Remington Hot Springs
Southern California's most-loved free wild hot springs: three cascading concrete-edged pools tucked against the Kern River canyon
California - 195 mi
Avila Hot Springs
The Central Coast's family hot springs: a heated freshwater pool with double water slides plus a mineral hot pool, with on-site ca
California - 196 mi
Tecopa Hot Springs
The Mojave Desert hot springs village at the edge of Death Valley: free county bathhouses, paid private operators, natural Tecopa
California - 197 mi
Sycamore Mineral Springs Resort & Spa
Twenty-four private hilltop tubs hidden in oak woodland on the Central Coast; the romantic-soak resort of California.
Questions visitors ask about hot springs near Mammoth Lakes
What is the closest hot springs to Mammoth Lakes?
Wild Willy's Hot Springs in Long Valley is 15 minutes east of Mammoth Lakes via US-395. The Long Valley caldera holds dozens of free wild hot springs within 20 minutes of town. Travertine Hot Springs near Bridgeport is the closest detailed guide here at 60 minutes north.
Best free hot springs near Mammoth Lakes?
The Long Valley caldera is one of the highest concentrations of free wild hot springs in the continental US. Wild Willy's (boardwalk-accessed), Hilltop (sunset views), Crab Cooker (deep concrete tank), Pulky's Pool (small concrete tub), Crowley Hot Tub, and Shepherd's Hot Tub are all within 20 minutes of town. Hot Creek Geological Site is dramatic to view but soaking is prohibited. Long Valley wild-springs coverage is planned but not yet on the site.
Can you do Mono Hot Springs from Mammoth in winter?
No. Kaiser Pass Road closes from late October through Memorial Day weekend, blocking access to Mono Hot Springs Resort. Mono is summer-only. For year-round Mammoth hot springs, the Long Valley wild pools and Travertine Hot Springs are the options.
How far is Travertine Hot Springs from Mammoth?
About 50 miles north on US-395, roughly 60 minutes. The drive is one of the most scenic stretches of US-395 in the Eastern Sierra. Travertine is free, on BLM land, and accessible year-round (though the dirt road can be muddy or snow-covered in winter).
Are Mammoth-area hot springs clothing-optional?
In practice, yes at most of the wild free pools. USFS and BLM rules formally require swim attire but the Long Valley wild pools and Travertine Hot Springs have universal clothing-optional culture. Visitors should be prepared for both clothed and unclothed bathers.