Hoods Hot Springs

Sonoma County, California · Near Cloverdale
38.8000°N, 123.1700°W · 573 ft
100°F 68°F air · Good soaking weather 573 ft Short Walk Camping nearby (8.6 mi)
Aerial view of the ground around Hoods Hot Springs LiDAR bare-earth view of the same ground around Hoods 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.

Hoods Hot Springs comes out around body temperature, warm enough to sit in. It lies in Sonoma County some eight miles from Cloverdale, with Cooley Ranch Road the way in. No owner has been recorded and no one has said if visitors are welcome, which is the question to settle before anything else.

Location

Cooley Ranch Road comes within a few hundred feet, and the rest is on foot. Low elevation, wet winters, roughly thirty-three inches of rain and almost no snow. For camping, Liberty Glen at Lake Sonoma is the closest listed, under nine miles away.

Midwinter, December to February, is what the record recommends. The water chemistry dates to a 1974 sample that came back alkaline, with iron among the minerals measured, so treat those numbers as old. Access is not on file, so confirm before walking in. The USGS monitors a site here, and the temperature itself carries no survey date.

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 Hoods Hot Springs.

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

A slice through the ground from southwest to northeast, about 0.6 miles end to end.

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

Heat Below
161 milliwatts per square meter of heat flow

That's about 2½ times the US average of 65. It's higher than at 95% 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
51°
Mar
55°
Apr
60°
May
68°
Jun
71°
Jul
71°
Aug
68°
Sep
62°
Oct
54°
Nov
48°
Dec
Annual Precip: 32.7 in Annual Snow: 0.5 in
Best Time to Visit
December Air 48°F · Water 100°F · +52° contrast
January Air 49°F · Water 100°F · +51° contrast
February Air 50°F · Water 100°F · +50° contrast
December offers 23°F more contrast than August
Current Conditions
68°F
S 7.2 mph 37% Good soaking weather
Tuesday 87° Low 51° Sunny
Spring is +13° warmer
Wednesday 78° Low 50° Patchy Fog then Sunny
Spring is +22° warmer
Thursday 81° Low 50° Areas Of Fog then Sunny
Spring is +19° warmer
Friday 86° Low 52° Sunny
Spring is +14° warmer
Saturday 86° Low 53° Sunny
Spring is +14° warmer
Water Chemistry Sampled 1974-08-30

The water at Hoods Hot Springs is alkaline (pH 8.7).

pH 8.7 Alkaline
pH influences mineral absorption through skin
Calcium 2 mg/L
May support bone density and joint health
Magnesium 0 mg/L
Known for muscle relaxation and stress relief
Sodium 140 mg/L
Supports circulation and skin hydration
Sulfate 13 mg/L
Traditionally used for skin conditions and inflammation
Chloride 32 mg/L
Natural antiseptic with skin health benefits
Iron 20 µg/L
Iron-rich springs may support circulation
Nearby Camping
Nearby Camping
Liberty Glen (Lake Sonoma) 8.6 mi away

Overview Liberty Glen Campground is located at the top of Rockpile Road overlooking Lake Sonoma. A short 45-minute drive north of Santa Rosa and a two-hour drive from San Francisco. World famous vineyards and a rich history surround the lake, where visitors enjoy boating, fishing and exploring the area's extensive trail network.Recreation Lake Sonoma offers a wide variety of recreational activities such as, Archery Range, Air Rifle Range, Disc Golf, Outdoor Gym, Dog Park as well as other ne...

Reservable Yes
Reserve on Recreation.gov →
Temperature
100°F
Warm Hot Boiling
Water Temp 100°F (38°C)
Avg Air Temp 59°F
Above Ambient +41°F
Good soaking conditions September
Access
Road Access Short Walk
Nearest Road Cooley Ranch Road
Distance to Road 356 ft

Hike 1 waterfall near Hoods Hot Springs

Looking for more outdoor adventures? Explore waterfall hikes near Hoods Hot Springs, California.

Frequently Asked Questions
What is the water temperature at Hoods Hot Springs?
Hoods Hot Springs has a water temperature of 100°F (38°C). This is considered a hot spring, well above body temperature.
Where is Hoods Hot Springs located?
Hoods Hot Springs is located in Sonoma County, California at 573 feet elevation, near Cloverdale. Coordinates: 38.8000°N, 123.1700°W.
How do I get to Hoods Hot Springs?
Hoods Hot Springs has Short Walk road access, with the nearest road being Cooley Ranch Road (356 ft from the road).
Can I camp near Hoods Hot Springs?
Yes, Liberty Glen (Lake Sonoma) is located nearby (8.6 miles away).
What minerals are in the water at Hoods Hot Springs?
Water chemistry analysis shows the presence of pH, Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Sulfate, Chloride, Iron. The pH is 8.7 (alkaline).
Sources: USGS NWIS