St Helena White Sulphur Spring

Napa County, California · Near Saint Helena
38.4900°N, 122.4980°W · 300 ft
97°F 46°F air · Good soaking weather 300 ft Roadside Camping nearby (15.0 mi)
Aerial view of the ground around St Helena White Sulphur Spring LiDAR bare-earth view of the same ground around St Helena White Sulphur 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.

A warm sulphur spring at the edge of Saint Helena in the Napa Valley, and a USGS monitoring point with water chemistry on file. The water is about body temperature, pleasant, mild. White Sulphur Spring Road runs past it within arm's reach. Public access and ownership are blank in the record, and in a town like this that is worth settling before you show up.

Location

Low elevation, a few hundred feet up, in a valley that sees no snow and a wet winter. The spring is at the very lip of White Sulphur Spring Road, one foot from it according to the mapping. Nobody is listed as land manager, and No unit and designation is on record too. A 2004 sample found a noticeably alkaline water carrying sodium, sulfate, chloride and iron, with dissolved solids in the moderate range.

Winter months are the listed window, and with no snow to speak of the road stays open all year. Roadside access. The nearest camping in our data is the Oak Shores day use area, fifteen miles away, and a day use area will not let you stay the night. The chemistry figures date to a 2004 sample. Access is not on record.

History of St Helena White Sulphur Spring

The USGS keeps this spring on its books as a thermal monitoring site, with a chemistry sample from October 2004 on file.

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 St Helena White Sulphur Spring.

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

A slice through the ground from north to south, about 0.6 miles end to end.

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

Heat Below
199 milliwatts per square meter of heat flow

That's about 3 times the US average of 65. It's higher than at 99% 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
51°
Feb
53°
Mar
58°
Apr
63°
May
71°
Jun
74°
Jul
73°
Aug
71°
Sep
65°
Oct
55°
Nov
49°
Dec
Annual Precip: 26.0 in Annual Snow: 0.1 in
Best Time to Visit
January Air 49°F · Water 97°F · +48° contrast
December Air 49°F · Water 97°F · +48° contrast
February Air 51°F · Water 97°F · +46° contrast
January offers 25°F more contrast than July
Current Conditions
46°F
Clear N 0.0 mph 100% Good soaking weather
Today 80° Low 54° Sunny
Spring is +17° warmer
Wednesday 72° Low 54° Sunny 1% precip
Spring is +25° warmer
Thursday 76° Low 56° Mostly Sunny
Spring is +21° warmer
Friday 80° Low 57° Sunny
Spring is +17° warmer
Saturday 79° Low 56° Sunny
Spring is +18° warmer
Water Chemistry Sampled 2004-10-20

The water at St Helena White Sulphur Spring is alkaline (pH 8.7) with 750 mg/L total dissolved solids. It is notably rich in chloride (natural antiseptic with skin health benefits).

pH 8.7 Alkaline
pH influences mineral absorption through skin
Higher mineral concentration for therapeutic soaking
Calcium 6 mg/L
May support bone density and joint health
Magnesium 1 mg/L
Known for muscle relaxation and stress relief
Sodium 224 mg/L
Supports circulation and skin hydration
Sulfate 114 mg/L
Traditionally used for skin conditions and inflammation
Chloride 207 mg/L
Natural antiseptic with skin health benefits
Iron 10 µg/L
Iron-rich springs may support circulation
Where to Stay

Some links are affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Nearby Camping
Oak Shores Day Use Area (Ca) 15.0 mi away

Overview Nestled between Blue Ridge and Cedar Roughs east of Napa Valley, Lake Berryessa provides ample public recreation opportunities. Popular activities on and around the large, yet uncrowded lake include fishing, boating, water skiing, wake boarding, jet skiing, sailing, swimming, kayaking, canoeing, wildlife viewing, hiking, biking and picnicking. The Dufer Point Visitor Center offers year-round interpretive events and exhibits highlighting natural and cultural resources. Lake Berrye...

Reservable Yes
Reserve on Recreation.gov →
Temperature
97°F
Warm Hot Boiling
Water Temp 97°F (36°C)
Avg Air Temp 61°F
Above Ambient +36°F
Warm air, warm water September
Access
Road Access Roadside
Nearest Road White Sulphur Spring Road
Distance to Road 1 ft
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the water temperature at St Helena White Sulphur Spring?
St Helena White Sulphur Spring has a water temperature of 97°F (36°C). This is a warm thermal spring.
Where is St Helena White Sulphur Spring located?
St Helena White Sulphur Spring is located in Napa County, California at 300 feet elevation, near Saint Helena. Coordinates: 38.4900°N, 122.4980°W.
How do I get to St Helena White Sulphur Spring?
St Helena White Sulphur Spring has Roadside road access, with the nearest road being White Sulphur Spring Road (1 ft from the road).
Can I camp near St Helena White Sulphur Spring?
Yes, Oak Shores Day Use Area (Ca) is located nearby (15.0 miles away).
What minerals are in the water at St Helena White Sulphur Spring?
Water chemistry analysis shows the presence of pH, Total Dissolved Solids, Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Sulfate, Chloride, Iron. The pH is 8.7 (alkaline). Total dissolved solids measure 750 mg/L.
Sources: USGS NWIS