Springs

Mono County, California · Near Mammoth Lakes
37.7190°N, 118.7350°W · 6,933 ft
75°F 43°F air · Good soaking weather 6,933 ft Open Short Walk Bureau of Land Management Camping nearby (10.5 mi)

BLM ground about fifteen miles from Mammoth Lakes, in Mono County, where a set of springs listed only as Springs comes up tepid, mid seventies. The Bishop Field Office manages the land and access is open, so you can walk to it without asking anyone. The water is too cool for most people to call a soak.

Location

Roughly 350 yards to the nearest road, and that road has no recorded name. Near seven thousand feet, so high country. Six feet of snow comes down in an ordinary winter. The yearly mean stays below fifty, and precipitation comes to only fourteen inches.

The record favors the dead of winter, February first of all, though six feet of snow will shape how you get there. Crowley Lake Campground is about ten miles away. No fee is recorded. Tepid water carries no burn risk, but at mid seventies it will feel cold in a winter wind.

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 Springs.

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

Setting
Open ground
Flat, open ground all around.
Highest ground nearby
27 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
120 milliwatts per square meter of heat flow

That's about twice the US average of 65. It's higher than at 72% 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
30°
Jan
29°
Feb
34°
Mar
41°
Apr
49°
May
62°
Jun
69°
Jul
68°
Aug
61°
Sep
51°
Oct
39°
Nov
29°
Dec
Annual Precip: 14.4 in Annual Snow: 72.3 in
Best Time to Visit
February Air 29°F · Water 75°F · +46° contrast
December Air 29°F · Water 75°F · +46° contrast
January Air 30°F · Water 75°F · +45° contrast
February offers 40°F more contrast than July
Current Conditions
43°F
S 18.0 mph 40% Good soaking weather
Today 77° Low 42° Sunny
Wednesday 74° Low 39° Sunny
Spring is +1° warmer
Thursday 73° Low 41° Sunny
Spring is +2° warmer
Friday 74° Low 43° Sunny
Spring is +1° warmer
Saturday 76° Low 45° Sunny 1% precip
Where to Stay

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Nearby Camping
Crowley Lake Campground 10.5 mi away

Overview Crowley Lake Campground offers 47 RV/tent sites, maximum recommended RV length is 30 feet. All sites include a fire pit, picnic table and a lantern holder. No hook-up. Potable water is available. Dump station fee is $10.00, no passes accepted. Closest amenities are 2 miles south in Crowley, or 10 miles north in Mammoth Lakes. Recreation Popular activities include lake and stream fishing, boating, windsurfing, horseback riding, hiking, and wildlife viewing. Facilities Crowley Lake...

Reservable Yes
Reserve on Recreation.gov →
Mile-High Advisory 6,933 ft

Springs sits at 6,933 feet above sea level, way above the mile-high mark. You may not feel the altitude strongly, but hot water still dehydrates you faster at elevation. UV is about 28% stronger than at sea level, so bring sunscreen and drink more water than you normally would.

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Temperature
75°F
Warm Hot Boiling
Water Temp 75°F (24°C)
Avg Air Temp 47°F
Above Ambient +28°F
Mild soaking conditions September
Access
Open
Road Access Short Walk
Distance to Road 0.2 mi
Land
Ownership Federal
Agency Bureau of Land Management
Designation PUB
Unit Bishop Field Office
Manager Bureau of Land Management
Protection 3 - Protected, subject to extractive use
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the water temperature at Springs?
Springs has a water temperature of 75°F (24°C). This is a warm thermal spring.
Where is Springs located?
Springs is located in Mono County, California at 6,933 feet elevation, near Mammoth Lakes. Coordinates: 37.7190°N, 118.7350°W.
How do I get to Springs?
Springs has Short Walk road access (0.2 mi from the road).
Is Springs free to visit?
Springs has Open access. It is managed by Bureau of Land Management.
Can I camp near Springs?
Yes, Crowley Lake Campground is located nearby (10.5 miles away).