Smith Ranch Hot Springs

It's a great hot spring: natural pool large enough to swim in. There are a couple of smaller pools as well. The temperature is great, hot but not uncomfortable. Down the hill there's an old trough rigged up like a tub. This is an undeveloped spring, so you'll be dealing with the usual elements of natural water sources, i.e. algae, plant growth, cloudy water, and mud. The camping options are unfortunately pretty limited. There's a good campsite on the hill overlooking the spring and that's about it. If that one is occupied, you'll have to pick out a spot that may be muddy or camp in the brush. There are visitors on a regular basis from the wildlife refuge nearby, but most don't camp, and many look but don't actually use the spring. It's empty most of the time. At this season, mid-June, there are biting flies, which are annoying. The last time I stayed, earlier in the year, perhaps May? it was basically deserted for two solid weeks and the biting flies hadn't come out yet. I did have to slog through melting snow and deep mud in 4WD to get here though. Both roads in are pretty rough. High clearance desirable. No Verizon service. If it's hot, there's not a scrap of shade and it might be too windy to pitch a tarp. All in all, not really the right set-up for your average sybarite, but for dedicated hot spring lovers or desert rats like myself it's a great spot.

The pool feeding the main pool is way hotter than 117 degrees the 117 is at the surface. Be careful around it there are no signs anywhere for stating that small pool is scalding. While there we saw a dog fall in and someone jumped in after it and was in less than 30 seconds and has 3rd degree burns all over their leg. Their shoe melted. Dog had to be put down

A very special place. The temperature can change quickly. I’ve had to rush out of the larger pool before, and the smaller ones with less water aren’t safe. A woman I met there once told me one boiled her dog alive. He was fine then he was dead. They’re cousins to geysers. Please be safe.

It exists. In middle of nowhere. Big pool measured 82F, little pool feeding it measured 117F. Need 4x4 to get to it. If raining road is probably impossible. Very remote. I couldn't see the bottom. I read it was 30ft!!!!!!!!!

A very special place. My desert rat dad took us there a couple times. Found arrowheads in the valley. Good memories.Got bit by the red mites though. Wipe down with rubbing alcohol when you get out.