Stinking Springs

Tehama County, California · Near Rancho Tehama Reserve
40.2230°N, 122.7470°W · 1,556 ft
101°F 63°F air · Good soaking weather 1,556 ft Short Walk Camping nearby (9.0 mi)
Aerial view of the ground around Stinking Springs LiDAR bare-earth view of the same ground around Stinking 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.

Stinking Springs, in Tehama County, is soaking temperature, about what a hot bath feels like, and it lies twenty-two miles or so from Rancho Tehama Reserve. Halley Grade gets you within a tenth of a mile. Owner and access are both unrecorded. The Wikipedia page attached to this record describes a different Stinking Springs in Utah, so it tells you nothing about this one.

Location

Foothill country around 1,500 feet, warm most of the year, with a wet winter and a little snow, under twenty inches. The last stretch from Halley Grade is on foot. There is no land manager attached to this point and no designation either. Post Creek Guard Station is the nearest camp on the list, nine miles out.

December through February are the listed best months. The walk from Halley Grade is short. Camp at Post Creek Guard Station if you need to, about nine miles away. Nothing is on file about public access or a fee, and ownership is blank, so assume you need to confirm you are allowed to be there.

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 Stinking Springs.

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

That's about twice the US average of 65. It's higher than at 76% 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
45°
Jan
47°
Feb
50°
Mar
57°
Apr
65°
May
76°
Jun
83°
Jul
81°
Aug
74°
Sep
63°
Oct
51°
Nov
44°
Dec
Annual Precip: 29.1 in Annual Snow: 18.6 in
Best Time to Visit
December Air 44°F · Water 101°F · +57° contrast
January Air 45°F · Water 101°F · +56° contrast
February Air 47°F · Water 101°F · +54° contrast
December offers 39°F more contrast than July
Current Conditions
63°F
WNW 25.2 mph 33% Good soaking weather
Tuesday 87° Low 66° Sunny 2% precip
Spring is +14° warmer
Wednesday 77° Low 61° Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms 20% precip
Spring is +24° warmer
Thursday 79° Low 58° Sunny 1% precip
Spring is +22° warmer
Friday 88° Low 63° Sunny
Spring is +13° warmer
Saturday 90° Low 67° Sunny
Spring is +11° warmer
Where to Stay

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Nearby Camping
Post Creek Guard Station 9.0 mi away

Overview Post Creek Guard Station was built in 1934 by the Civilian Conservation Corps for use as a wildfire lookout. It is now available for recreational use. This historic guard station is eligible for inclusion to the National Register of Historic Places. Guests can drive to Post Creek Guard Station, though much of the trip is on gravel Forest roads, depending upon which route is chosen. This charming cabin offers beautiful views of the nearby mountains and forest. Some amenities are pr...

Reservable Yes
Reserve on Recreation.gov →
Temperature
101°F
Warm Hot Boiling
Water Temp 101°F (38°C)
Avg Air Temp 61°F
Above Ambient +40°F
Warm air, warm water September
Access
Road Access Short Walk
Nearest Road Halley Grade
Distance to Road 0.1 mi
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the water temperature at Stinking Springs?
Stinking Springs has a water temperature of 101°F (38°C). This is considered a hot spring, well above body temperature.
Where is Stinking Springs located?
Stinking Springs is located in Tehama County, California at 1,556 feet elevation, near Rancho Tehama Reserve. Coordinates: 40.2230°N, 122.7470°W.
How do I get to Stinking Springs?
Stinking Springs has Short Walk road access, with the nearest road being Halley Grade (0.1 mi from the road).
Can I camp near Stinking Springs?
Yes, Post Creek Guard Station is located nearby (9.0 miles away).
Sources: Wikipedia