Arrowhead Springs, Waterman Hot Spr

San Bernardino County, California · Near Crestline
34.1850°N, 117.2620°W · 1,883 ft
194°F 1,883 ft Roadside Camping nearby (4.4 mi)
Very Hot Source, Use Extreme Caution

At 194°F, the source water at Arrowhead Springs, Waterman Hot Spr is hot enough to cause burns. Some hot springs this hot have cooler side pools or downstream areas suitable for soaking. Always test the water temperature before entering.

Two names attach to this one, Arrowhead Springs and Waterman. It scalds. Source water comes off near two hundred degrees, which puts soaking out of the question at the source and leaves it as something to look at or read about. Five miles or so from Crestline, in San Bernardino County. Neither the land owner nor an access ruling made it into the record.

Location

Roadside, a hundred feet or less from an anonymous road, a little below two thousand feet. Snow is rare here and the year brings about seventeen inches of rain, a mild climate. The record is empty on both owner and unit, and no fee is given. What the ground looks like around the source is not something the record can tell you.

December through February rate best and snow will not be the issue. Dogwood campground is under five miles off, the closest on record. This water will scald; stay clear of the source. Access and ownership are blank, so you will have to establish for yourself that you are allowed near it.

Terrain

Aircraft with laser scanners measured this ground to within inches. The scan strips out trees and buildings, leaving the bare shape of the land around Arrowhead Springs, Waterman Hot Spr.

Aerial view of the ground around Arrowhead Springs, Waterman Hot Spr LiDAR bare-earth view of the same ground around Arrowhead Springs, Waterman Hot Spr
Aerial LiDAR bare earth

Drag the handle to compare the two views. The orange dot marks the spring, in a frame about three quarters of a mile wide.

Setting
Canyon floor
Steep ground climbs away on both sides of the spring.
Highest ground nearby
285 ft above the spring
Within a quarter mile, to the southeast
Cross-section through the spring

A slice through the ground from northwest to southeast, about 0.6 miles end to end.

Elevation data: USGS 3D Elevation Program. Aerial imagery: USGS The National Map. Public domain.

Heat Below
97 milliwatts per square meter of heat flow

That's about 1½ times the US average of 65. It's higher than at 42% of the springs on this site.

Heat flow measures the warmth working its way up through the ground from deep inside the earth. Where it runs high, rain and snowmelt that seep down through cracks in the rock come back up hot.

Heat flow estimate: Stanford Thermal Earth Model (Aljubran & Horne, 2024), CC BY 4.0.

Monthly Climate
51°
Jan
52°
Feb
56°
Mar
61°
Apr
64°
May
74°
Jun
79°
Jul
80°
Aug
76°
Sep
68°
Oct
57°
Nov
50°
Dec
Annual Precip: 16.8 in Annual Snow: 3.3 in
Best Time to Visit
December Air 50°F · Water 194°F · +144° contrast
January Air 51°F · Water 194°F · +143° contrast
February Air 52°F · Water 194°F · +142° contrast
December offers 30°F more contrast than August
Current Conditions
Tuesday 83° Low 61° Sunny 3% precip
Spring is +111° warmer
Wednesday 80° Low 58° Sunny 2% precip
Spring is +114° warmer
Thursday 81° Low 57° Sunny
Spring is +113° warmer
Friday 85° Low 59° Sunny
Spring is +109° warmer
Saturday 88° Low 61° Sunny
Spring is +106° warmer
Where to Stay

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Nearby Camping
Dogwood 4.4 mi away

Overview Dogwood Campground is a family-friendly facility located in the heart of the San Bernardino National Forest. All sites must be reserved to enjoy the area's scenic surroundings and plentiful recreational opportunities.Recreation Ample opportunities for short, day hikes exist in the surrounding area. Within the campground, the Dogwood Trail and Enchanted Loop Trail both provide scenic views and are less than a mile in length.Facilities The campground offers dozens of single-family cam...

Reservable Yes
Reserve on Recreation.gov →
Temperature
194°F
Warm Hot Boiling
Water Temp 194°F (90°C)
Avg Air Temp 64°F
Above Ambient +130°F
Great soaking conditions September
Access
Road Access Roadside
Distance to Road 99 ft
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the water temperature at Arrowhead Springs, Waterman Hot Spr?
Arrowhead Springs, Waterman Hot Spr has a water temperature of 194°F (90°C). This is considered a hot spring, well above body temperature.
Where is Arrowhead Springs, Waterman Hot Spr located?
Arrowhead Springs, Waterman Hot Spr is located in San Bernardino County, California at 1,883 feet elevation, near Crestline. Coordinates: 34.1850°N, 117.2620°W.
How do I get to Arrowhead Springs, Waterman Hot Spr?
Arrowhead Springs, Waterman Hot Spr has Roadside road access (99 ft from the road).
Can I camp near Arrowhead Springs, Waterman Hot Spr?
Yes, Dogwood is located nearby (4.4 miles away).
Is it safe to soak at Arrowhead Springs, Waterman Hot Spr?
No, not at the source. The water at Arrowhead Springs, Waterman Hot Spr reaches 194°F, which can cause severe burns within seconds. Look for cooled side pools or downstream stretches, and test with a hand before anything else.