Dehy Hot Spring

Mono County, California · Near Mammoth Lakes
37.6770°N, 118.7900°W · 6,889 ft
134°F 34°F air · Good soaking weather 6,889 ft Open Short Walk Bureau of Land Management Camping nearby (7.6 mi)
Aerial view of the ground around Dehy Hot Spring LiDAR bare-earth view of the same ground around Dehy Hot Spring
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.

On BLM land in Mono County, about eleven miles from Mammoth Lakes, Dehy Hot Spring comes out of the ground far too hot to sit in, up in the range where you would burn yourself, and the measured flow is a trickle. Access is open. This is Bishop Field Office public land, high desert at nearly seven thousand feet.

Location

High country on the east flank of the Sierra. Pit Road is the nearest road, and the spring lies a little over half a mile from it. Winters are heavy, six feet of snow in an average year, so winter access means snow. Rain is scant. Crowley Lake Campground is the listed camping, and the BLM Field Office in Bishop manages the ground.

the record lists December through February as best months, which is odd for a place with six feet of snow, so weigh that against the snowfall figure. Open access on BLM land. It is hot enough to burn skin; keep fingers out until you have measured it. Flow is tiny. The temperature and pH date to a 1973 survey.

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 Dehy Hot Spring.

Setting
Gentle slope
The ground tilts gently up to the west.
Highest ground nearby
61 ft above the spring
Within a quarter mile, to the west
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
130 milliwatts per square meter of heat flow

That's about twice the US average of 65. It's higher than at 80% 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
30°
Jan
29°
Feb
34°
Mar
41°
Apr
48°
May
62°
Jun
68°
Jul
67°
Aug
61°
Sep
50°
Oct
39°
Nov
29°
Dec
Annual Precip: 14.4 in Annual Snow: 72.3 in
Best Time to Visit
February Air 29°F · Water 134°F · +105° contrast
December Air 29°F · Water 134°F · +105° contrast
January Air 30°F · Water 134°F · +104° contrast
February offers 39°F more contrast than July
Current Conditions
34°F
N 0.0 mph 51% Good soaking weather
Today 77° Low 37° Sunny
Spring is +57° warmer
Wednesday 74° Low 36° Sunny
Spring is +60° warmer
Thursday 74° Low 37° Sunny
Spring is +60° warmer
Friday 74° Low 39° Sunny
Spring is +60° warmer
Saturday 76° Low 41° Sunny 1% precip
Spring is +58° warmer
Water Chemistry Sampled 1973-08-09

The water at Dehy Hot Spring is slightly alkaline (pH 7.7). It is notably rich in sodium (supports circulation and skin hydration) and chloride (natural antiseptic with skin health benefits).

pH 7.7 Slightly Alkaline
pH influences mineral absorption through skin
Calcium 21 mg/L
May support bone density and joint health
Magnesium 1 mg/L
Known for muscle relaxation and stress relief
Sodium 470 mg/L
Supports circulation and skin hydration
Sulfate 66 mg/L
Traditionally used for skin conditions and inflammation
Chloride 190 mg/L
Natural antiseptic with skin health benefits
Iron 50 µg/L
Iron-rich springs may support circulation
Where to Stay

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Nearby Camping
Crowley Lake Campground 7.6 mi away

Overview Crowley Lake Campground offers 47 RV/tent sites, maximum recommended RV length is 30 feet. All sites include a fire pit, picnic table and a lantern holder. No hook-up. Potable water is available. Dump station fee is $10.00, no passes accepted. Closest amenities are 2 miles south in Crowley, or 10 miles north in Mammoth Lakes. Recreation Popular activities include lake and stream fishing, boating, windsurfing, horseback riding, hiking, and wildlife viewing. Facilities Crowley Lake...

Reservable Yes
Reserve on Recreation.gov →
Mile-High Advisory 6,889 ft

Dehy Hot Spring sits at 6,889 feet above sea level, way above the mile-high mark. You may not feel the altitude strongly, but hot water still dehydrates you faster at elevation. UV is about 28% stronger than at sea level, so bring sunscreen and drink more water than you normally would.

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Temperature
134°F
Warm Hot Boiling
Water Temp 134°F (57°C)
Avg Air Temp 47°F
Above Ambient +87°F
Great soaking conditions September
Access
Open
Road Access Short Walk
Nearest Road Pit Road
Distance to Road 0.6 mi
Land
Ownership Federal
Agency Bureau of Land Management
Designation PUB
Unit Bishop Field Office
Manager Bureau of Land Management
Protection 3 - Protected, subject to extractive use
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the water temperature at Dehy Hot Spring?
Dehy Hot Spring has a water temperature of 134°F (57°C). This is considered a hot spring, well above body temperature.
Where is Dehy Hot Spring located?
Dehy Hot Spring is located in Mono County, California at 6,889 feet elevation, near Mammoth Lakes. Coordinates: 37.6770°N, 118.7900°W.
How do I get to Dehy Hot Spring?
Dehy Hot Spring has Short Walk road access, with the nearest road being Pit Road (0.6 mi from the road).
Is Dehy Hot Spring free to visit?
Dehy Hot Spring has Open access. It is managed by Bureau of Land Management.
Can I camp near Dehy Hot Spring?
Yes, Crowley Lake Campground is located nearby (7.6 miles away).
What minerals are in the water at Dehy Hot Spring?
Water chemistry analysis shows the presence of pH, Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Sulfate, Chloride, Iron. The pH is 7.7 (slightly alkaline).
Is it safe to soak at Dehy Hot Spring?
With care. At 134°F Dehy Hot Spring is hot enough to need short sessions, fifteen to twenty minutes, and plenty of water. Enter slowly and get out if you feel light-headed.
Sources: USGS NWIS