Updated ·
Sierra Hot Springs — Day-use fee or pay-per-soak in Sierraville, CA (2026)
Nonprofit retreat blending geothermal pools, massage workshops, and forested campsites minutes from Lake Tahoe’s north shore.
Temperature
95°–110°F
Pools
4 soaking pools
Best season
Year-round
Reservations
Required
Dog policy
No pets at pools
Family policy
Adults only
Safety notes
- Snow tires or chains are required on Highway 89 during winter storms.
- The pools are clothing-optional and 18+ after dark—families should plan daytime visits.
Amenities & etiquette
Official references
FAQ
Plan more in California
Want a full itinerary? Start with the state hub, then browse the best-of and free-soaking guides tailored for each season.
Nearby hot springs
Benton Hot Springs
Benton, CA
A historic 1850s stagecoach stop reborn as a desert campground with individual cedar tubs plumbed into each site. No hookups, no light pollution, just steaming water and views of Boundary Peak.
Buckeye Hot Springs
Bridgeport, CA
A cliffside hot spring cascades over colorful mineral deposits into stone-lined pools along Buckeye Creek. Nearby primitive campsites make it a favorite for overlanders.
Esalen Institute Hot Springs
Big Sur, CA
Clifftop tubs cantilevered over the Pacific where sulfur water gushes from a seaside spring. Esalen's baths mix meditation decks, stone tubs, and massage tables with only the sound of waves below.
Harbin Hot Springs
Middletown, CA
Rebuilt after the Valley Fire, this iconic retreat blends meditation decks, yoga domes, and terraced soaking pools fed by 114°F mineral water. Silent soaking zones keep the focus on rest and hydrotherapy.