White Sulphur Springs (California)

Napa County, California · Near Saint Helena
38.4844°N, 122.4858°W · 300 ft
48°F air · Good soaking weather 300 ft Roadside Camping nearby (14.5 mi)
Aerial view of the ground around White Sulphur Springs (California) LiDAR bare-earth view of the same ground around White Sulphur Springs (California)
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.

White Sulphur Springs in Napa County sits less than a mile outside Saint Helena and was, by Wikipedia's account, the oldest warm mineral springs resort in Northern California, founded in 1852. No temperature is on file for the current record. The USGS sampled the water in 2004 and found it alkaline and mineral-heavy, with iron among the dissolved load. Access and ownership are not recorded.

Location

A road passes within about 160 feet. The elevation is low, around three hundred feet, on the ground near the town. Rain runs to two feet or so a year, concentrated in winter, and snow is not a thing here. The nearest campground listed is fourteen miles off at Oak Shores, which the name says is for day use.

No best months are listed. Roadside access, so a look needs no walk. Because no temperature is on record you cannot plan a soak from this page; the 2004 chemistry is the most recent firm data. Ask in Saint Helena about the property's current status, since the record does not say what stands there now. No fee on file.

History of White Sulphur Springs (California)

Founded in 1852 in St. Helena, White Sulphur Springs was regarded as Northern California's oldest warm mineral springs resort facility. The USGS maintains a sampling site 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 White Sulphur Springs (California).

Setting
Hillside
The spring sits on a steep slope that climbs to the west.
Highest ground nearby
481 ft above the spring
Within a quarter mile, to the west
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
192 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
64°
May
71°
Jun
74°
Jul
74°
Aug
71°
Sep
65°
Oct
55°
Nov
49°
Dec
Annual Precip: 26.0 in Annual Snow: 0.1 in
Current Conditions
48°F
Clear N 0.0 mph 93% Good soaking weather
Tuesday 87° Low 55° Sunny
Wednesday 79° Low 52° Patchy Fog then Mostly Sunny 1% precip
Thursday 83° Low 52° Patchy Fog then Mostly Sunny
Friday 87° Low 54° Sunny
Saturday 86° Low 54° Sunny
Water Chemistry Sampled 2004-10-20

The water at White Sulphur Springs (California) 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

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Nearby Camping
Oak Shores Day Use Area (Ca) 14.5 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
No data recorded
Avg Air Temp 61°F
Access
Road Access Roadside
Distance to Road 164 ft
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is White Sulphur Springs (California) located?
White Sulphur Springs (California) is located in Napa County, California at 300 feet elevation, near Saint Helena. Coordinates: 38.4844°N, 122.4858°W.
How do I get to White Sulphur Springs (California)?
White Sulphur Springs (California) has Roadside road access (164 ft from the road).
Can I camp near White Sulphur Springs (California)?
Yes, Oak Shores Day Use Area (Ca) is located nearby (14.5 miles away).
What minerals are in the water at White Sulphur Springs (California)?
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, Wikipedia