Delonegha Hot Springs

Kern County, California · Near Bodfish
35.5580°N, 118.6120°W · 2,063 ft
112°F 55°F air · Good soaking weather 2,063 ft Roadside Camping nearby (4.8 mi)
Aerial view of the ground around Delonegha Hot Springs LiDAR bare-earth view of the same ground around Delonegha Hot 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.

Delonegha Hot Springs sits right off Route 178 in the Kern River canyon, one of a string of hot springs along that highway southwest of Lake Isabella. The water is hot, a few degrees past what most people can ease into, and the spring is within Sequoia National Forest according to Wikipedia. Bodfish, under eight miles away, is the nearest town. Public access is not recorded in our data.

Location

Kern River canyon, low elevation, with the highway running right past. Route 178 is less than a hundred yards off, and Wikipedia describes the way down as a steep dirt trail. Snow and rain are both light. Sandy Flat campground is the nearest, a few miles away, and the land, per Wikipedia, belongs to Sequoia National Forest.

Winter is the listed season. The spring counts as roadside by our classification, though the descent from the highway is steep by Wikipedia's account. Sandy Flat campground is close. Water above 110 degrees can burn, so check it before getting in. No fee on record and no access record either; national forest land is the only clue.

History of Delonegha Hot Springs

Wikipedia places Delonegha northeast of Bakersfield and southwest of Lake Isabella, one of several hot springs strung along the Kern River and State Route 178. The springs lie inside Sequoia National Forest, reached by a short steep dirt path off the highway.

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 Delonegha Hot Springs.

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

A slice through the ground from north to south, about 0.6 miles end to end.

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

Heat Below
75 milliwatts per square meter of heat flow

That's close to the US average of 65. It's higher than at 10% 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
49°
Jan
50°
Feb
54°
Mar
60°
Apr
67°
May
78°
Jun
84°
Jul
84°
Aug
77°
Sep
66°
Oct
55°
Nov
48°
Dec
Annual Precip: 12.5 in Annual Snow: 12.5 in
Best Time to Visit
December Air 48°F · Water 112°F · +64° contrast
January Air 49°F · Water 112°F · +63° contrast
February Air 50°F · Water 112°F · +62° contrast
December offers 36°F more contrast than August
Current Conditions
55°F
SE 10.8 mph 50% Good soaking weather
Today 90° Low 59° Sunny
Spring is +22° warmer
Wednesday 87° Low 58° Sunny
Spring is +25° warmer
Thursday 85° Low 58° Sunny
Spring is +27° warmer
Friday 87° Low 60° Sunny
Spring is +25° warmer
Saturday 91° Low 62° Sunny
Spring is +21° warmer
Where to Stay

Some links are affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Nearby Camping
Sandy Flat 4.8 mi away

Overview Sandy Flat Campground is set back from the Lower Kern River at an altitude of 2,300 feet near the town of Lake Isabella. Campsites are a short walk from the river, offering countless recreational opportunities for visitors. Recreation Hiking, trout fishing, river wading and floating are popular pursuits. The Hobo Fishing Trail, a short walking trail, is nearby. Click here to learn more about the Lower Kern River, including safety and permitting requirements and a listing of local...

Reservable Yes
Reserve on Recreation.gov →
Temperature
112°F
Warm Hot Boiling
Water Temp 112°F (44°C)
Avg Air Temp 64°F
Above Ambient +48°F
Good soaking conditions September
Access
Road Access Roadside
Nearest Road Route 178
Distance to Road 272 ft
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the water temperature at Delonegha Hot Springs?
Delonegha Hot Springs has a water temperature of 112°F (44°C). This is considered a hot spring, well above body temperature.
Where is Delonegha Hot Springs located?
Delonegha Hot Springs is located in Kern County, California at 2,063 feet elevation, near Bodfish. Coordinates: 35.5580°N, 118.6120°W.
How do I get to Delonegha Hot Springs?
Delonegha Hot Springs has Roadside road access, with the nearest road being Route 178 (272 ft from the road).
Can I camp near Delonegha Hot Springs?
Yes, Sandy Flat is located nearby (4.8 miles away).
Is it safe to soak at Delonegha Hot Springs?
With care. At 112°F Delonegha Hot Springs 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: Wikipedia