Dolans Hot Spring

Monterey County, California · Near Greenfield
36.0840°N, 121.5840°W · 1,193 ft
98°F 49°F air · Good soaking weather 1,193 ft Restricted Short Walk OTHS Camping nearby (6.5 mi)
Aerial view of the ground around Dolans Hot Spring LiDAR bare-earth view of the same ground around Dolans 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.

Access is restricted at Dolans Hot Spring, which lies inside the Landels-Hill Big Creek Reserve in Monterey County. The reading on record is right at body heat, a gentle soak if you could get to it. The reserve is a state conservation area. Greenfield, the nearest town in our data, is about twenty five miles off.

Location

Protected reserve land a bit over a thousand feet up. The nearest road gives out roughly seven tenths of a mile before the spring, so whatever approach exists is on foot. Rain is moderate, snow nil. Escondido Campground is the closest camping in our records, a few miles distant. Ownership is recorded under a catch-all other category.

Access is restricted, which settles most questions. Find out the reserve's visiting rules before you make any plans. The listed months are the dead of winter. The walk from the nearest road is under a mile. Escondido Campground is where to camp if you are in the area. No fee on record.

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 Dolans Hot Spring.

Setting
Canyon floor
Steep ground climbs away on both sides of the spring.
Highest ground nearby
519 ft above the spring
Within a quarter mile, to the southeast
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
104 milliwatts per square meter of heat flow

That's about 1½ times the US average of 65. It's higher than at 53% 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
51°
Feb
53°
Mar
55°
Apr
58°
May
64°
Jun
68°
Jul
69°
Aug
68°
Sep
64°
Oct
56°
Nov
51°
Dec
Annual Precip: 25.5 in Annual Snow: 0.4 in
Best Time to Visit
January Air 51°F · Water 98°F · +47° contrast
February Air 51°F · Water 98°F · +47° contrast
December Air 51°F · Water 98°F · +47° contrast
January offers 18°F more contrast than August
Current Conditions
49°F
SW 0.0 mph 68% Good soaking weather
Tuesday 69° Low 59° Sunny
Spring is +29° warmer
Wednesday 66° Low 53° Mostly Sunny 1% precip
Spring is +32° warmer
Thursday 67° Low 54° Sunny
Spring is +31° warmer
Friday 72° Low 57° Sunny
Spring is +26° warmer
Saturday 74° Low 60° Sunny
Spring is +24° warmer
Where to Stay

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Nearby Camping
Escondido Campground 6.5 mi away

Overview Escondido Campground is one of the best kept secrets in the Santa Lucia Mountains. This family-friendly campground boasts scenic vistas that will take your breath away. Surrounded by spectacular rock formations and sprawling oaks this campground rests in a beautiful grassy meadow. The outdoor activities are endless. Hiking, biking, wildlife viewing, picnicking, and bird watching are just a few of the activities you can do while visiting this Los Padres National Forest gem. Recrea...

Reservable Yes
Reserve on Recreation.gov →
Temperature
98°F
Warm Hot Boiling
Water Temp 98°F (37°C)
Avg Air Temp 59°F
Above Ambient +39°F
Good soaking conditions September
Access
Restricted
Road Access Short Walk
Distance to Road 0.7 mi
Land
Ownership State
Agency OTHS
Designation State Conservation Area
Unit Landels-Hill Big Creek Reserve
Manager OTHS
Protection 2 - Permanent protection, some use allowed
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the water temperature at Dolans Hot Spring?
Dolans Hot Spring has a water temperature of 98°F (37°C). This is a warm thermal spring.
Where is Dolans Hot Spring located?
Dolans Hot Spring is located in Monterey County, California at 1,193 feet elevation, near Greenfield. Coordinates: 36.0840°N, 121.5840°W.
How do I get to Dolans Hot Spring?
Dolans Hot Spring has Short Walk road access (0.7 mi from the road).
Is Dolans Hot Spring free to visit?
Dolans Hot Spring has Restricted access. It is managed by OTHS.
Can I camp near Dolans Hot Spring?
Yes, Escondido Campground is located nearby (6.5 miles away).
Sources: Wikipedia