Little Geysers

Lake County, California · Near Cobb
38.7670°N, 122.7480°W · 2,682 ft
210°F 67°F air · Good soaking weather 2,682 ft Short Walk Camping nearby (14.0 mi)
Geyser: Not a Soaking Spring

Little Geysers is a geyser, not a traditional hot spring. These geothermal features can be extremely dangerous. Boiling water, toxic gases, and unstable ground are common hazards. Do not attempt to soak.

Aerial view of the ground around Little Geysers LiDAR bare-earth view of the same ground around Little Geysers
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.

Boiling water in Lake County: Little Geysers lies about five miles from Cobb, and the temperature on file is roughly that of a kettle at full roll. It is listed as a single thermal point despite the plural name. This is not a soak by any stretch. Land owner and access status are blank, and there is no photograph.

Location

The nearest road is Dillingham Road, five hundred-odd feet off. Elevation is around 2,700 feet in a climate with plenty of rain and almost no snow. No land unit is on record. Warm Springs Rec Area is what the record lists for camping, about fourteen miles away, and nothing names an owner for the ground itself.

Winter tops the ranking and snow is not a factor. Boiling water and whatever steam comes with it will injure you; stay well back from the vents. Warm Springs Rec Area is the camping on file. Access status is unrecorded, so find out who controls the ground before you go.

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 Little Geysers.

Setting
Open ground
Flat, open ground all around.
Highest ground nearby
53 ft above the spring
Within a quarter mile, to the west
Cross-section through the spring

A slice through the ground from northwest to southeast, about 0.6 miles end to end.

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

Heat Below
177 milliwatts per square meter of heat flow

That's about 2½ times the US average of 65. It's higher than at 98% 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
44°
Jan
45°
Feb
47°
Mar
52°
Apr
58°
May
67°
Jun
72°
Jul
72°
Aug
68°
Sep
60°
Oct
50°
Nov
44°
Dec
Annual Precip: 34.4 in Annual Snow: 2.0 in
Best Time to Visit
December Air 44°F · Water 210°F · +167° contrast
January Air 44°F · Water 210°F · +166° contrast
February Air 45°F · Water 210°F · +165° contrast
December offers 29°F more contrast than August
Current Conditions
67°F
NNW 3.6 mph 40% Good soaking weather
Tuesday 75° Low 63° Sunny
Spring is +135° warmer
Wednesday 67° Low 57° Sunny
Spring is +143° warmer
Thursday 70° Low 55° Sunny 2% precip
Spring is +140° warmer
Friday 76° Low 60° Sunny
Spring is +134° warmer
Saturday 75° Low 64° Sunny
Spring is +135° warmer
Nearby Camping
Nearby Camping
Warm Springs Rec Area 14.0 mi away

Overview Warm Springs Recreation Area is a day-use park located at Lake Sonoma, which is just a 45 minute drive north of Santa Rosa and a 2 hour trip from San Francisco. There is no overnight camping available at this facility World famous vineyards and a land rich in history surround the lake, where visitors enjoy boating, fishing and exploring the area's extensive trail network.Recreation The Woodland Ridge Nature Trail begins at the park and winds up the ridge, rewarding hikers with great...

Reservable Yes
Reserve on Recreation.gov →
Temperature
210°F
Warm Hot Boiling
Water Temp 210°F (99°C)
Avg Air Temp 57°F
Above Ambient +154°F
Access
Road Access Short Walk
Nearest Road Dillingham Road
Distance to Road 522 ft
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the water temperature at Little Geysers?
Little Geysers has a water temperature of 210°F (99°C). This is considered a hot spring, well above body temperature.
Where is Little Geysers located?
Little Geysers is located in Lake County, California at 2,682 feet elevation, near Cobb. Coordinates: 38.7670°N, 122.7480°W.
How do I get to Little Geysers?
Little Geysers has Short Walk road access, with the nearest road being Dillingham Road (522 ft from the road).
Can I camp near Little Geysers?
Yes, Warm Springs Rec Area is located nearby (14.0 miles away).
Is it safe to soak at Little Geysers?
No, not at the source. The water at Little Geysers reaches 210°F, which can cause severe burns within seconds. Look for cooled side pools or downstream stretches, and test with a hand before anything else.