Updated ·
Travertine Hot Springs — Free soaking · donation encouraged in Bridgeport, CA (2026)
Calcium-lined tubs perched over the Bridgeport Valley with Sierra views. A small upper cement tub feeds several travertine-lined pools carved into the hillside.
Temperature
95°–107°F
Pools
4 soaking pools
Best season
May-October
Reservations
Walk-up friendly
Dog policy
Leashed dogs welcome
Family policy
Adults only
Safety notes
- Road becomes impassable mud after rain or snow—do not attempt without high clearance.
- Pack out every scrap and soap is prohibited to protect the fragile mineral crust.
Amenities & etiquette
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.