You are here

Hike-in Required
Yes
Open Year-round
Yes
Water Temperature
105.00 °F (40.56 °C)
Sensitive Habitat
No
Please respect the outdoors by practicing Leave No Trace. Learn more about how to apply the principles of Leave No Trace on your next outdoor adventure here.

Located along Sespe Creek, about two hours from Los Angeles, California, Sespe Hot Springs is one of several natural hot springs in the Los Padres National Forest. This series of springs create a hot spring creek flowing through the mountains. On average, the soaking pools are about 105 degrees.

Sespe Hot Springs is a remote, backcountry spring that can only be accessed by foot or horseback. Mountain bikes are not permitted in designated wilderness areas. 

There are three different trails that lead to Sespe Hot Springs:

1. Sespe River Trail - Starting from the Piedra Blanca Trailhead, this trail is 16.8 miles one way and is rated as moderate to difficult.  

2. Alder Creek Trail - Begins from the Dough Flat Trailhead, is 7.5 miles one way and rated as moderate to difficult.

3. Johnson Ridge Trail - Begins from the trailhead at Mutau Flat, extends for 9.5 miles, and is rated as difficult. 
 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Ojai Ranger District: 1-(805) 646-4348

Mt. Pinos Ranger District: 1-(661) 245-3731

Logistics + Planning

Preferable season(s)

Spring
Fall

Congestion

Moderate

Parking Pass

None

Pros

Mountain scenery. Secluded.

Cons

Popular area.

Pets allowed

Allowed with Restrictions

Features

Backcountry camping
Natural
Big vistas
Wildlife
Near lake or river

Number of pools

6

Location

Comments

Have updates, photos, alerts, or just want to leave a comment?
Sign In and share them.