Stingleys Hot Springs

Ventura County, California · Near Meiners Oaks
34.4980°N, 119.3410°W · 1,246 ft
123°F 66°F air · Good soaking weather 1,246 ft Short Walk Camping nearby (3.9 mi)
Aerial view of the ground around Stingleys Hot Springs LiDAR bare-earth view of the same ground around Stingleys 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.

Stingleys Hot Springs is a short way from Matilija Canyon Road North, in Ventura County, with Meiners Oaks about five miles distant. The water is hot, well above body temperature, hot enough that you would want to cool it before getting in. There is no landowner on file and no access ruling, which matters for a spring this close to a road and a town.

Location

Four hundred and some feet from Matilija Canyon Road North. Low foothills elevation, a bit over twelve hundred feet. Mild climate, low sixties on average, fourteen inches of rain and a dusting of snow some years. Holiday Group Campground, the nearest listed, is under four miles from it.

December through February rate best. Nothing on file about a fee. At 123 degrees the source is too hot to soak in directly; test before you touch. Ownership is unrecorded, so be ready for the possibility of private land.

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 Stingleys Hot Springs.

Setting
Canyon floor
Steep ground climbs away on both sides of the spring.
Highest ground nearby
563 ft above the spring
Within a quarter mile, to the north
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
66 milliwatts per square meter of heat flow

That's close to the US average of 65. It's higher than at 3% 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
52°
Jan
52°
Feb
55°
Mar
59°
Apr
62°
May
67°
Jun
71°
Jul
73°
Aug
71°
Sep
65°
Oct
57°
Nov
51°
Dec
Annual Precip: 13.7 in Annual Snow: 2.7 in
Best Time to Visit
December Air 51°F · Water 123°F · +72° contrast
January Air 52°F · Water 123°F · +71° contrast
February Air 52°F · Water 123°F · +71° contrast
December offers 21°F more contrast than August
Current Conditions
66°F
SSW 0.0 mph 92% Good soaking weather
Tuesday 79° Low 62° Mostly Sunny 5% precip
Spring is +44° warmer
Wednesday 78° Low 58° Mostly Sunny 4% precip
Spring is +45° warmer
Thursday 78° Low 58° Sunny
Spring is +45° warmer
Friday 81° Low 59° Sunny
Spring is +42° warmer
Saturday 84° Low 61° Sunny
Spring is +39° warmer
Nearby Camping
Nearby Camping
Holiday Group Campground 3.9 mi away

Overview Holiday Group Campground is a relaxing location to enjoy nature all year long; a quick escape from the bustle of the city. It provides access to a variety of recreational opportunities, including hiking, biking and horseback riding. Surrounding trails are also fun for off-road vehicle enthusiasts.Recreation The Wheeler Gorge Nature Trail begins not far from the campground. It is a relatively short, loop trail that leads through thick vegetation along the river banks and to a scenic h...

Reservable Yes
Reserve on Recreation.gov →
Temperature
123°F
Warm Hot Boiling
Water Temp 123°F (51°C)
Avg Air Temp 61°F
Above Ambient +62°F
Great soaking conditions September
Access
Road Access Short Walk
Nearest Road Matilija Canyon Road North
Distance to Road 435 ft
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the water temperature at Stingleys Hot Springs?
Stingleys Hot Springs has a water temperature of 123°F (51°C). This is considered a hot spring, well above body temperature.
Where is Stingleys Hot Springs located?
Stingleys Hot Springs is located in Ventura County, California at 1,246 feet elevation, near Meiners Oaks. Coordinates: 34.4980°N, 119.3410°W.
How do I get to Stingleys Hot Springs?
Stingleys Hot Springs has Short Walk road access, with the nearest road being Matilija Canyon Road North (435 ft from the road).
Can I camp near Stingleys Hot Springs?
Yes, Holiday Group Campground is located nearby (3.9 miles away).
Is it safe to soak at Stingleys Hot Springs?
With care. At 123°F Stingleys Hot Springs is hot enough to need short sessions, fifteen to twenty minutes, and plenty of water. Enter slowly and get out if you feel light-headed.