Public Hot Springs
Public Hot Springs
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Saline Valley Hot Springs

Checked October 2026 · Sources

Saline Valley Hot Springs
Photo by Peretz Partensky from San Francisco, USA, Wikimedia Commons (free to reuse with credit)

Saline Valley Hot Springs is a $30 wild soak in the Death Valley National Park, California, about 163 minutes' drive from Bishop: 110 F water at the source (1980 survey), a 6.32-mile walk from the nearest road.

  • $30
  • Wild
  • Walk 6.32 mi
Is it open? As of Oct 14, 2026:
"More than half of Saline Valley Warm Springs Campground has reopened following a recent fire ... The immediate burn area remains closed to entry. ... Areas now open include Palm Spring, the camping area between Lower Spring and Palm Spring, and the double-vault toilet at Lower Spring."
Quoted from the National Park Service, read Oct 14, 2026 (NPS news release dated October 5, 2026 (page: Last updated: October 5, 2026))
Directions
Drive timecomputed

about 2 h 43 min
66.7 mi from Bishop, no traffic

Drive times computed with GraphHopper; map data OpenStreetMap contributors.

The facts

Water
110 F at the source, not the pool
Quoted from the NOAA Thermal Springs List, checked Oct 11, 2026 (1980 survey), entry LOWER WARM SPRINGS
Walk
6.32 miles one way from the nearest road
Computed on an OpenStreetMap foot route · start 36.73306, -117.82657
Fee
"Purchasing this entrance fee allows all persons traveling in one single private, non-commercial vehicle (car/truck/van/RV/aircraft) to leave and re-enter the park as many times as they wish during the 7-day period from the date of purchase."
Quoted from the National Park Service, checked Oct 12, 2026
Permit or reservation
None posted by the agency
Checked on the National Park Service, checked Oct 14, 2026
Clothing
"Public nudity is not against Federal regulations, but lewd behavior is."
Quoted from the National Park Service, checked Oct 11, 2026
Dogs
"Leashed pets are permitted in developed areas, such as paved roads, unpaved roads, parking lots, campgrounds"
Quoted from the National Park Service, checked Oct 12, 2026
Managed by
National Park Service, Death Valley National Park
Closures
Park Service current conditions
Last checked
October 2026

Trail and trailhead

Road access

Distance
6.32 mile one way
Computed on an OpenStreetMap foot route
Climb
About 310 ft up and 0 ft down, one way
Computed from USGS 3DEP elevations at 27 points on our route, Oct 14, 2026 (rough)
Start
Road access
36.73306, -117.82657

Water temperature

110 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 LOWER WARM SPRINGS

Fees and rules

Do you have to pay to go to Saline Valley Hot Springs?

Yes.

"Purchasing this entrance fee allows all persons traveling in one single private, non-commercial vehicle (car/truck/van/RV/aircraft) to leave and re-enter the park as many times as they wish during the 7-day period from the date of purchase."

Quoted from the National Park Service, checked Oct 12, 2026

Do you need a permit or reservation for Saline Valley Hot Springs?

None is posted. not posted

Checked on the National Park Service, checked Oct 14, 2026

Clothing and dogs

Clothing
"Public nudity is not against Federal regulations, but lewd behavior is."

Quoted from the National Park Service, checked Oct 11, 2026

Dogs
"Leashed pets are permitted in developed areas, such as paved roads, unpaved roads, parking lots, campgrounds"

Quoted from the National Park Service, checked Oct 12, 2026

Seasons and winter access

Road and gate closures: check Park Service current conditions.

Before you go

  • Fee: Purchasing this entrance fee allows all persons traveling in one single private, non-commercial vehicle (car/truck/van/RV/aircraft) to leave and re-enter the park as many times as they wish during the 7-day period from the date of purchase.
  • No permit or reservation is posted.
  • Status as of Oct 14, 2026: More than half of Saline Valley Warm Springs Campground has reopened following a recent fire ... The immediate burn area remains closed to entry. ... Areas now open include Palm Spring, the camping area between Lower Spring and Palm Spring, and the double-vault toilet at Lower Spring.
  • Clothing: Public nudity is not against Federal regulations, but lewd behavior is.
  • Dogs: Leashed pets are permitted in developed areas, such as paved roads, unpaved roads, parking lots, campgrounds
  • Check Park Service current conditions before you drive.

Getting there

Drive times from each town's center, no traffic (computed).

Bishop, CaliforniaHot springs near Bishopabout 2 h 43 min66.7 mi
Google Maps Apple Maps

Both open at the start, the road access point, not at the pool.

Saline Valley

California. Tap the map for directions. Outline: US Census, public domain.

Camping near Saline Valley Hot Springs

Saline Valley Warm Springs Campground

"Areas now open include Palm Spring, the camping area between Lower Spring and Palm Spring, and the double-vault toilet at Lower Spring. ... The immediate burn area remains closed to entry."

Quoted from the National Park Service, checked Oct 14, 2026

Nearby hot springs (2)

Keough Hot SpringsNear Bishop · Californiaabout 2 h 37 mindriveLittle Hot Creek Hot SpringsNear Mammoth Lakes · Californiaabout 3 h 41 mindrive

All 13 hot springs in CaliforniaEastern Sierra hot springs (6)Northern California hot springs (10)

Questions

Is Saline Valley Hot Springs free?

No.
"Purchasing this entrance fee allows all persons traveling in one single private, non-commercial vehicle (car/truck/van/RV/aircraft) to leave and re-enter the park as many times as they wish during the 7-day period from the date of purchase."
Quoted from the National Park Service, checked Oct 12, 2026

How long is the hike to Saline Valley Hot Springs?

6.32 miles one way from the nearest road, computed on an OpenStreetMap foot route.

Is Saline Valley Hot Springs clothing optional?

"Public nudity is not against Federal regulations, but lewd behavior is."
Quoted from the National Park Service, checked Oct 11, 2026

Can I bring my dog?

"Leashed pets are permitted in developed areas, such as paved roads, unpaved roads, parking lots, campgrounds"
Quoted from the National Park Service, checked Oct 12, 2026

Can you camp at Saline Valley Hot Springs?

"Areas now open include Palm Spring, the camping area between Lower Spring and Palm Spring, and the double-vault toilet at Lower Spring. ... The immediate burn area remains closed to entry."
Quoted from the National Park Service, checked Oct 14, 2026

Sources and last checked

Page last checked October 2026 (the oldest date below).

Report a correction

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