Keough Hot Springs Ditch | Eastern California

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).