Klamath Hot Spring

Siskiyou County, California · Near Montague
41.9730°N, 122.2020°W · 2,680 ft
156°F 53°F air · Good soaking weather 2,680 ft Roadside Camping nearby (11.5 mi)
Very Hot Source, Use Extreme Caution

At 156°F, the source water at Klamath Hot Spring is hot enough to cause burns. Some hot springs this hot have cooler side pools or downstream areas suitable for soaking. Always test the water temperature before entering.

Aerial view of the ground around Klamath Hot Spring LiDAR bare-earth view of the same ground around Klamath 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.

Far too hot to enter, Klamath Hot Spring sits beside a road in Siskiyou County about 24 miles from Montague. The road has no name in the record. Land owner is blank. So is access. No photo, and no chemistry on record, so the temperature is the one hard fact about the water itself.

Location

Ninety feet from the roadside, at a modest elevation in country that gets moderate snow and modest rain. Juanita Lake Campground is eleven or twelve miles away. Nothing in the record tells you whose ground this is. No land unit either. You are looking at a point on a map with a scalding temperature attached.

Winter months score best on file. Do not get in. At this temperature the water burns skin on contact. Keep pets leashed near it. Camping, per the record, means Juanita Lake. Land status is unknown, so approach from the road with that in mind.

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 Klamath Hot Spring.

Setting
Hillside
The spring sits on a steep slope that climbs to the east.
Highest ground nearby
349 ft above the spring
Within a quarter mile, to the east
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
94 milliwatts per square meter of heat flow

That's about 1½ times the US average of 65. It's higher than at 37% 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
37°
Jan
39°
Feb
43°
Mar
49°
Apr
57°
May
65°
Jun
74°
Jul
75°
Aug
67°
Sep
55°
Oct
43°
Nov
37°
Dec
Annual Precip: 24.5 in Annual Snow: 53.9 in
Best Time to Visit
December Air 37°F · Water 156°F · +120° contrast
January Air 37°F · Water 156°F · +119° contrast
February Air 39°F · Water 156°F · +117° contrast
December offers 38°F more contrast than August
Current Conditions
53°F
ESE 14.4 mph 40% Good soaking weather
Today 80° Low 46° Sunny 4% precip
Spring is +76° warmer
Wednesday 76° Low 46° Slight Chance Light Rain then Isolated Showers And Thunderstorms 30% precip
Spring is +80° warmer
Thursday 78° Low 48° Sunny 14% precip
Spring is +78° warmer
Friday 84° Low 49° Sunny
Spring is +72° warmer
Saturday 88° Low 51° Sunny
Spring is +68° warmer
Nearby Camping
Nearby Camping
Juanita Lake Campground 11.5 mi away

Overview Juanita Lake campground offers 23 campsites adjacent to Juanita Lake on the Klamath National Forest. The lake offers a unique combination of recreation opportunities including many water-based activities like fishing and swimming. Site map located in photo stream above. Currently, there is non-potable water available for use. Recreation The 55 acre Juanita Lake is excellent for small rowboats, rafts, and canoes. There is a paved boat launch ramp, a dock in the summer, and fish cleani...

Fee $15 per night, $20 for double site (#14)
Reservable Yes
Reserve on Recreation.gov →
Temperature
156°F
Warm Hot Boiling
Water Temp 156°F (69°C)
Avg Air Temp 54°F
Above Ambient +103°F
Great soaking conditions September
Access
Road Access Roadside
Distance to Road 90 ft
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the water temperature at Klamath Hot Spring?
Klamath Hot Spring has a water temperature of 156°F (69°C). This is considered a hot spring, well above body temperature.
Where is Klamath Hot Spring located?
Klamath Hot Spring is located in Siskiyou County, California at 2,680 feet elevation, near Montague. Coordinates: 41.9730°N, 122.2020°W.
How do I get to Klamath Hot Spring?
Klamath Hot Spring has Roadside road access (90 ft from the road).
Can I camp near Klamath Hot Spring?
Yes, Juanita Lake Campground is located nearby (11.5 miles away). $15 per night, $20 for double site (#14).
Is it safe to soak at Klamath Hot Spring?
No, not at the source. The water at Klamath Hot Spring reaches 156°F, which can cause severe burns within seconds. Look for cooled side pools or downstream stretches, and test with a hand before anything else.