Indian Valley Hot Springs

Plumas County, California · Near Greenville
40.1420°N, 120.9350°W · 3,900 ft
106°F 3,900 ft Short Walk Camping nearby (8.1 mi)
Aerial view of the ground around Indian Valley Hot Springs LiDAR bare-earth view of the same ground around Indian Valley 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.

Greenville is under a mile from Indian Valley Hot Springs, which sits in Plumas County off Hot Springs Road. The water comes out at a soaking temperature, a touch above body heat. A USGS sample from 2018 shows mildly mineral water with a neutral pH. Nobody is recorded as owner, and access is unrecorded too, which matters this close to town.

Location

Hot Springs Road passes a few hundred feet from the water. Elevation is under four thousand feet, in mountain country that gets a fair amount of snow and decent rain. No land unit is listed. Spanish Creek Campground is the nearest on file, about eight miles from the spring, and no fee is recorded anywhere.

Winter ranks best in the record, though snowfall is substantial. The 2018 sample is recent enough to trust for chemistry. Temperature sits right in soaking range, so there is no scald risk at the source. Nobody has logged public use; assume private until you learn otherwise.

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 Indian Valley Hot Springs.

Setting
Open ground
Flat, open ground all around.
Highest ground nearby
12 ft above the spring
Within a quarter mile, to the north
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
129 milliwatts per square meter of heat flow

That's about twice the US average of 65. It's higher than at 79% 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
34°
Jan
37°
Feb
41°
Mar
48°
Apr
57°
May
68°
Jun
76°
Jul
75°
Aug
67°
Sep
54°
Oct
41°
Nov
34°
Dec
Annual Precip: 35.6 in Annual Snow: 114.9 in
Best Time to Visit
January Air 34°F · Water 106°F · +72° contrast
December Air 34°F · Water 106°F · +72° contrast
February Air 37°F · Water 106°F · +69° contrast
January offers 42°F more contrast than July
Current Conditions
W 3.6 mph
Today 82° Low 42° Sunny 1% precip
Spring is +24° warmer
Wednesday 76° Low 41° Sunny 2% precip
Spring is +30° warmer
Thursday 76° Low 42° Sunny 1% precip
Spring is +30° warmer
Friday 86° Low 45° Sunny
Spring is +20° warmer
Saturday 87° Low 46° Sunny
Spring is +19° warmer
Water Chemistry Sampled 2018-08-15

The water at Indian Valley Hot Springs is slightly alkaline (pH 7.3) with 156 mg/L total dissolved solids.

pH 7.3 Slightly Alkaline
pH influences mineral absorption through skin
Higher mineral concentration for therapeutic soaking
Calcium 28 mg/L
May support bone density and joint health
Magnesium 11 mg/L
Known for muscle relaxation and stress relief
Sodium 15 mg/L
Supports circulation and skin hydration
Sulfate 6 mg/L
Traditionally used for skin conditions and inflammation
Chloride 1 mg/L
Natural antiseptic with skin health benefits
Iron 35 µg/L
Iron-rich springs may support circulation
Nearby Camping
Nearby Camping
Spanish Creek Campground 8.1 mi away

Overview Spanish Creek Campground is located on Highway 70 just east of the Highway 89 intersection; just east of where Banish Creek and Indian Creek merge together to create the east branch of the North Fork Feather River. The campground is right on Spanish Creek with a very popular swimming hole. Although the campground has been recently upgraded, it still holds the charm that it did in years past. Recreation Anglers enjoy a healthy supply of rainbow trout in the nearby Feather River, which...

Reservable Yes
Reserve on Recreation.gov →
Temperature
106°F
Warm Hot Boiling
Water Temp 106°F (41°C)
Avg Air Temp 53°F
Above Ambient +53°F
Good soaking conditions September
Access
Road Access Short Walk
Nearest Road Hot Springs Road
Distance to Road 424 ft
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the water temperature at Indian Valley Hot Springs?
Indian Valley Hot Springs has a water temperature of 106°F (41°C). This is considered a hot spring, well above body temperature.
Where is Indian Valley Hot Springs located?
Indian Valley Hot Springs is located in Plumas County, California at 3,900 feet elevation, near Greenville. Coordinates: 40.1420°N, 120.9350°W.
How do I get to Indian Valley Hot Springs?
Indian Valley Hot Springs has Short Walk road access, with the nearest road being Hot Springs Road (424 ft from the road).
Can I camp near Indian Valley Hot Springs?
Yes, Spanish Creek Campground is located nearby (8.1 miles away).
What minerals are in the water at Indian Valley Hot Springs?
Water chemistry analysis shows the presence of pH, Total Dissolved Solids, Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Sulfate, Chloride, Iron. The pH is 7.3 (slightly alkaline). Total dissolved solids measure 156 mg/L.
Sources: USGS NWIS