Buckeye Hot Springs
Checked October 2026 · Sources
Buckeye Hot Springs is a wild soak in the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, California, about 79 minutes' drive from Mammoth Lakes: 140 F water at the source (1980 survey), a 0.05-mile walk from the nearest road, snow likely November to April.
- Wild
- Walk 0.05 mi
about 79 min
62.7 mi from Mammoth Lakes, no traffic
Drive times computed with GraphHopper; map data OpenStreetMap contributors.
The facts
- Water
- 140 F at the source, not the poolQuoted from the NOAA Thermal Springs List, checked Oct 11, 2026 (1980 survey), entry BUCKEYE HOT SPRING
- Walk
- 0.05 miles one way from the nearest roadComputed on an OpenStreetMap foot route · start 38.23983, -119.32573
- Fee
- Not paying a recreation fee is prohibited, and the fine for a first offense of nonpayment may not exceed $100. Forest Service general rule
No fee posted for this spring that we found (checked Oct 13, 2026)What the Forest Service says
Exact wording: Forest Service rules page.
- Permit or reservation
- None posted by the agencyChecked on the Forest Service, checked Oct 14, 2026
- Clothing
- Being publicly nude is prohibited on a national forest only when an order says so; the regulation lists it among the things a forest order can prohibit. Forest Service general rule
What the Forest Service says
Exact wording: Forest Service rules page.
- Dogs
- At Forest Service developed recreation sites, an animal other than a service animal must be crated, caged, on a leash of 6 feet or less, or otherwise under physical restrictive control, and may not be brought into a swimming area. Forest Service general rule
What the Forest Service says
Exact wording: Forest Service rules page.
- Snow
- Likely November to AprilComputed from NOAA snowfall, 2023 to 2026 seasons
- Managed by
- USDA Forest Service, Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest
- Last checked
- October 2026
Trail and trailhead
Road access
- Distance
- 0.05 mile one wayComputed on an OpenStreetMap foot route
- Climb
- About 0 ft up and 50 ft down, one wayComputed from USGS 3DEP elevations at 14 points on our route, Oct 14, 2026 (rough)
- Start
- Road access38.23983, -119.32573
Water temperature
140 F at the source, from NOAA's Thermal Springs List (1980 survey). That is where the water leaves the ground; the pool you sit in is cooler.
Quoted from the NOAA Thermal Springs List, checked Oct 11, 2026 (1980 survey), entry BUCKEYE HOT SPRING
Fees and rules
Do you have to pay to go to Buckeye Hot Springs?
No fee posted for this spring that we found (checked Oct 13, 2026). Forest Service general rule
Forest Service general rule: see The facts.
Do you need a permit or reservation for Buckeye Hot Springs?
None is posted. not posted
Checked on the Forest Service, checked Oct 14, 2026
Clothing and dogs
Forest Service general rule Forest Service general rule: see The facts.
Forest Service general rule Forest Service general rule: see The facts.
Seasons and winter access
Snow likely November to April at the spring.
Computed from NOAA snowfall, 2023 to 2026 seasons
Road and gate closures: check Forest Service alerts, Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest.
Before you go
- No permit or reservation is posted.
- Snow likely November to April.
- Check Forest Service alerts, Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest before you drive.
Getting there
Drive times from each town's center, no traffic (computed).
Both open at the start, the road access point, not at the pool.
Camping near Buckeye Hot Springs
Buckeye Campground
"Buckeye Campground provides a quiet camping experience along Buckeye Creek and is shaded by Jeffrey and Lodgepole pines. ... Buckeye hot spring (140 degrees F) is just east of the campground."
Quoted from the Forest Service, checked Oct 14, 2026
Nearby hot springs (6)
All 13 hot springs in CaliforniaEastern Sierra hot springs (6)Northern California hot springs (10)
Questions
Is Buckeye Hot Springs free?
How long is the hike to Buckeye Hot Springs?
Is Buckeye Hot Springs clothing optional?
Can I bring my dog?
Can you camp at Buckeye Hot Springs?
"Buckeye Campground provides a quiet camping experience along Buckeye Creek and is shaded by Jeffrey and Lodgepole pines. ... Buckeye hot spring (140 degrees F) is just east of the campground."Quoted from the Forest Service, checked Oct 14, 2026
Sources and last checked
Page last checked October 2026 (the oldest date below).
- ncei.noaa.gov/access/metadata/landing-page/bin/iso: water temperatureChecked Oct 11, 2026
- fs.usda.gov/r04/humboldt-toiyabe/recreation/buckeye-campground: campingChecked Oct 14, 2026
- Walk: 0.05 mi, computed on an OpenStreetMap foot route (FOSSGIS routing, foot profile) from 38.23983, -119.32573Map data OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL
- Drive times from Mammoth Lakes, Bishop, Lake Tahoe: computed with GraphHopper 11.1, car profile, no trafficOpenStreetMap extract of Oct 12, 2026
- Snow months (Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr): computed from NOAA snowfall, 2023 to 2026 seasonsMethod page explains the rule
- Climb: computed from USGS 3DEP elevations along our OpenStreetMap foot routeComputed Oct 14, 2026