Tipton Springs

Lassen County, California · Near Johnstonville
40.5800°N, 120.2650°W · 4,478 ft
70°F 41°F air · Good soaking weather 4,478 ft Short Walk Camping nearby (8.9 mi)
Aerial view of the ground around Tipton Springs LiDAR bare-earth view of the same ground around Tipton 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.

Tipton Springs sits in Lassen County, a bit under twenty-two miles from Johnstonville, off Karlo Road. The water is tepid, seventy degrees, which is warmer than the year's average air temperature and cooler than a bath. The ownership question has no answer on record, and the access entry is likewise empty.

Location

Karlo Road comes within a fifth-mile. High ground at close to 4,500 feet, averaging low fifties across the year. Fourteen inches of precipitation, and around two and a half feet of snow each winter.

The recorded best months are winter ones. Ramhorn Springs Campground is roughly nine miles out. Nobody gets burned by seventy-degree water. No fee appears on record, and no water sample either. Two and a half feet of snow means the short walk may be snowed in through midwinter, the very months the record favors. No owner is on file, so do not assume it is public.

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 Tipton Springs.

Setting
Gentle slope
The ground tilts gently up to the northwest.
Highest ground nearby
108 ft above the spring
Within a quarter mile, to the northwest
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
85 milliwatts per square meter of heat flow

That's about 1½ times the US average of 65. It's higher than at 22% 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
33°
Jan
36°
Feb
41°
Mar
48°
Apr
57°
May
68°
Jun
77°
Jul
76°
Aug
67°
Sep
54°
Oct
41°
Nov
32°
Dec
Annual Precip: 14.1 in Annual Snow: 32.2 in
Best Time to Visit
December Air 32°F · Water 70°F · +38° contrast
January Air 33°F · Water 70°F · +37° contrast
February Air 36°F · Water 70°F · +35° contrast
December offers 45°F more contrast than July
Current Conditions
41°F
SSE 10.8 mph 50% Good soaking weather
Today 82° Low 43° Sunny 1% precip
Wednesday 76° Low 42° Sunny 5% precip
Thursday 74° Low 42° Sunny 2% precip
Friday 80° Low 44° Sunny 1% precip
Saturday 82° Low 46° Sunny
Nearby Camping
Nearby Camping
Ramhorn Springs Campground 8.9 mi away

Ramhorn Springs is a small water source located in a high desert setting that has been utilized by travelers and ranchers for many years. A 10 unit campground has been constructed adjacent to it. The facilities include an informational kiosk, picnic tables, fire rings, trash cans, a horse corral and one vault toilet. The surface in the campground is packed earth and gravel. There is no potable water. There is no fee for the use of the campground but a donation is requested to assist with the...

Reserve on Recreation.gov →
Temperature
70°F
Warm Hot Boiling
Water Temp 70°F (21°C)
Avg Air Temp 53°F
Above Ambient +18°F
Mild soaking conditions September
Access
Road Access Short Walk
Nearest Road Karlo Road
Distance to Road 0.2 mi
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the water temperature at Tipton Springs?
Tipton Springs has a water temperature of 70°F (21°C). This is a warm thermal spring.
Where is Tipton Springs located?
Tipton Springs is located in Lassen County, California at 4,478 feet elevation, near Johnstonville. Coordinates: 40.5800°N, 120.2650°W.
How do I get to Tipton Springs?
Tipton Springs has Short Walk road access, with the nearest road being Karlo Road (0.2 mi from the road).
Can I camp near Tipton Springs?
Yes, Ramhorn Springs Campground is located nearby (8.9 miles away).