Valley Springs

Calaveras County, California · Near Valley Springs
38.1920°N, 120.8270°W · 657 ft
75°F 65°F air · Good soaking weather 657 ft Roadside Camping nearby (1.4 mi)

Valley Springs is a tepid spring in Calaveras County, less than two miles outside the town that shares its name. The water is in the mid-seventies. It is right at the roadside, and Oak Knoll Campground is close by. Who owns it and if the public can go in are unrecorded. A photo is on file, which helps a little with knowing what you are looking for.

Location

Low foothills at about 650 feet, wet winters, hardly any snow. Twenty-one feet from the roadway, which is unnamed in the record. No agency claims it in our data. Oak Knoll Campground lies a mile and a bit away, which is closer than most camps in this set.

the record points to winter. Roadside. Camp at Oak Knoll. No fee or access status on file. Tepid water, so this is a look-and-see spot. Sort out ownership before you go, since the town is right there and somebody will know.

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 Valley Springs.

Aerial view of the ground around Valley Springs LiDAR bare-earth view of the same ground around Valley 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
61 ft above the spring
Within a quarter mile, to the northwest
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
79 milliwatts per square meter of heat flow

That's close to the US average of 65. It's higher than at 14% 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
47°
Jan
49°
Feb
53°
Mar
58°
Apr
64°
May
73°
Jun
77°
Jul
76°
Aug
73°
Sep
64°
Oct
53°
Nov
46°
Dec
Annual Precip: 28.2 in Annual Snow: 1.4 in
Best Time to Visit
December Air 46°F · Water 75°F · +29° contrast
January Air 47°F · Water 75°F · +28° contrast
February Air 49°F · Water 75°F · +26° contrast
December offers 31°F more contrast than July
Current Conditions
65°F
E 14.4 mph 38% Good soaking weather
Tuesday 88° Low 59° Sunny
Wednesday 83° Low 59° Sunny
Thursday 82° Low 56° Sunny
Friday 87° Low 58° Sunny
Saturday 87° Low 60° Sunny
Where to Stay

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Nearby Camping
Oak Knoll Campground 1.4 mi away

Overview Oak Knoll Campground sits along New Hogan Lake in the brush-covered foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains.Recreation Boating is a popular pastime, with boat ramps conveniently located around the lake. The large surface area allows for plenty of water skiing, wake boarding, jet skiing and more. Year-round fishing for stripers, bass, crappie, bluegill and catfish is perfect for experts and beginners alike. Some of the largest fish are found in less than 25 feet of water. The "Rive...

Reservable Yes
Reserve on Recreation.gov →
Temperature
75°F
Warm Hot Boiling
Water Temp 75°F (24°C)
Avg Air Temp 61°F
Above Ambient +14°F
Mild soaking conditions September
Access
Road Access Roadside
Distance to Road 21 ft
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the water temperature at Valley Springs?
Valley Springs has a water temperature of 75°F (24°C). This is a warm thermal spring.
Where is Valley Springs located?
Valley Springs is located in Calaveras County, California at 657 feet elevation, near Valley Springs. Coordinates: 38.1920°N, 120.8270°W.
How do I get to Valley Springs?
Valley Springs has Roadside road access (21 ft from the road).
Can I camp near Valley Springs?
Yes, Oak Knoll Campground is located nearby (1.4 miles away).