• Keough Hot Springs Ditch is located at Keough Hot Springs Resort
• Features primitive pools along the ditch
Keough Hot Springs Ditch is located at Keough Hot Springs Resort, 8 miles away from the city of Bishop. Primitive pools along the ditch offer free soaking opportunities in the high desert of the Owens Valley with a scenic view of the Eastern Sierra Nevada Mountains.
The hot stream is an outflow from geothermal sources located on the resort's property. The water comes out of the ground at 130 degrees Fahrenheit and feeds pools of the resort through an aerator with waterfall effect. When the aerator system is turned off, the hot water from the resort runs directly out to the ditch which is dammed up in many places. The further from the resort, the water gradually becomes cooler allowing to choose a more comfortable temperature.
This location is popular and can get crowded on weekends. To find a pool for yourself, you can drive along the dirt road or wait for a vacant pool.
Overnight parking or camping is not permitted here. Lodging is available in Bishop and Keough Hot Springs Resort.
Please keep this place clean, pack out all your trash.
Though the water is fairly clear, do not lower your head into the water when soaking. In 2018, a child who had been bathing in one of the pools of Keough Hot Springs Ditch became infected by Amoeba Naegleria fowleri and shortly died from primary amebic meningoencephalitis (Naegleriasis or PAM).
Keough Hot Springs | Facts
Location: 8 miles south of Bishop • California • USA
Open: Year-round
Development: Undeveloped
Amenities: None
Hiking distance: Short
Road Access: Any vehicle
Day-use: Free
Elevation: 4,100 ft (1,250 m)
Water T° (source): 130°F (54°C)
Water T°: Vary
More Adventures
Directions to Keough Hot Springs Ditch
From Bishop,
- Travel 7.5 miles south on US-395 to Keough Hot Springs Road
- Turn right onto Keough Hot Springs Road and continue 0.9 miles to the destination.
I visited this location on Sat night & later that evening became very ill – vomiting & shaking for 3 days – just now starting to feel better. Could this have been caused by the water?
Hi Hillary…
I have visited & soaked in these wild springs for 40 years. I personally have no history of getting sick or know anyone who has. A few factors iv’e noticed do change the waters visible cleanliness. (which does not determine a toxic soak, but the cleanest water is what were all after & the cleanest soak is often the furthest upstream at Keough ditch & closest to the water spring source… which at Keough is up at the paid Resort)
The party upstream from you, the wind & outdoor temperature, when the resort pools upstream are being drained/cleaned and potential intervention of domestic or wild animals. Another (controversial) possibility which i have been informed by close doctor & nurse friends of mine
is the proximity of one’s last vaccine/booster shot?
If the water entered your mouth, ears or nose that also is a heightened factor of infection at any wild spring that is not consistently being tested.