Bartlett Springs

Lake County, California · Near Lucerne
39.1830°N, 122.7000°W
144°F 61°F air · Good soaking weather Short Walk Camping nearby (8.3 mi)
Very Hot Source, Use Extreme Caution

At 144°F, the source water at Bartlett Springs 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.

Aerial view of the ground around Bartlett Springs LiDAR bare-earth view of the same ground around Bartlett Springs
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.

The water at Bartlett Springs comes out scalding, hot enough to burn skin on contact, which settles the soaking question before it starts. The spring is in Lake County about nine miles from Lucerne. No owner is listed; access status, also blank. Elevation is not on file either. What the record does hold is a temperature and a rough road distance.

Location
10 miles from Clearlake Oaks, CA

The record leaves the road unnamed but puts it a short walk off, about three hundred fifty feet. Winter rain runs past thirty inches and snow to around twenty, so the approach can be wet or white depending on the month. No managing unit is given, and nothing says who looks after the ground.

Midwinter is what the record puts forward for timing. Letts Lake Campground, eight miles or so away, is the nearest place to sleep that turns up. Heat is the thing to watch. Water this hot will scald, so do not touch it where it surfaces or anywhere it runs off. Ownership and access both want checking before you go.

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 Bartlett Springs.

Setting
Hillside
The spring sits on a steep slope that climbs to the northeast.
Highest ground nearby
324 ft above the spring
Within a quarter mile, to the northeast
Cross-section through the spring

A slice through the ground from west to east, about 0.6 miles end to end.

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

Heat Below
176 milliwatts per square meter of heat flow

That's about 2½ times the US average of 65. It's higher than at 98% 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
45°
Jan
46°
Feb
48°
Mar
54°
Apr
61°
May
71°
Jun
78°
Jul
78°
Aug
72°
Sep
62°
Oct
51°
Nov
45°
Dec
Annual Precip: 31.5 in Annual Snow: 20.0 in
Best Time to Visit
January Air 45°F · Water 144°F · +99° contrast
December Air 45°F · Water 144°F · +99° contrast
February Air 46°F · Water 144°F · +98° contrast
January offers 33°F more contrast than July
Current Conditions
61°F
S 10.8 mph 29% Good soaking weather
Tuesday 88° Low 61° Sunny
Spring is +56° warmer
Wednesday 79° Low 57° Sunny 14% precip
Spring is +65° warmer
Thursday 81° Low 55° Sunny
Spring is +63° warmer
Friday 88° Low 58° Sunny
Spring is +56° warmer
Saturday 90° Low 62° Sunny
Spring is +54° warmer
Nearby Camping
Nearby Camping
Letts Lake Campground 8.3 mi away

Overview This location is available on a first-come, first-served basis only. Visitors are required to physically arrive at the campground to purchase and claim a site.Once on-site, you are able to pay for your campsite(s) by scanning a QR code using the Recreation.gov mobile app, and the Scan and Pay feature.In order to utilize Scan & Pay on site, you will need to first download the free Recreation.gov mobile app https://www.recreation.gov/mobile-app prior to your arrival as some remote area...

Reservable Yes
Reserve on Recreation.gov →
Temperature
144°F
Warm Hot Boiling
Water Temp 144°F (62°C)
Avg Air Temp 59°F
Above Ambient +85°F
Great soaking conditions September
Access
Road Access Short Walk
Distance to Road 355 ft
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the water temperature at Bartlett Springs?
Bartlett Springs has a water temperature of 144°F (62°C). This is considered a hot spring, well above body temperature.
Where is Bartlett Springs located?
Bartlett Springs is located in Lake County, California, near Lucerne. Coordinates: 39.1830°N, 122.7000°W.
How do I get to Bartlett Springs?
Bartlett Springs has Short Walk road access (355 ft from the road).
Can I camp near Bartlett Springs?
Yes, Letts Lake Campground is located nearby (8.3 miles away).
Is it safe to soak at Bartlett Springs?
No, not at the source. The water at Bartlett Springs reaches 144°F, which can cause severe burns within seconds. Look for cooled side pools or downstream stretches, and test with a hand before anything else.