• Travertine Hot Springs is known for its colorful travertine deposits, fumaroles, and bubbling hot waters
• Features a series of hot springs emerging along several parallel ridges
Located near the small town of Bridgeport in the Eastern Sierra Nevada, Travertine Hot Springs is one of the most visited hot springs in California.
The area, managed by BLM, is known for its unique geological and hydrothermal features. Besides hot pools for bathing, you will find here colorful travertine deposits, fumaroles, and bubbling hot waters hidden under bright ridges of limestone. In addition to everything mentioned above, amazing views of the High Sierra and easy access from Highway 395 make this place extremely popular.
Travertine Hot Springs a series of hot mineral springs emerging along several parallel travertine ridges. Travertine is a chemically precipitated limestone, formed by calcium carbonate from thermal springs. The mineral water at a temperature of 180-200°F is accumulated into the underground reservoir. Because of low flow rates, the scalding water cools down and reaches the pools at moderate temperatures between 80°F and 125°F.
There are multiple pools. One of them is a concrete upper tub (ten by five and two feet deep) on the parking lot. Emerging from the hill nearby, the hot water flows to the tub. The temperature was 122°F in the pool in April - too hot for soaking.
The trail runs 200 yards south from the parking area along the travertine ridges to four volunteer-built pools. The mineral water runs along limestone veins and then off the ridge at 110°F into the pools and then overflows to adjoining pools. The temperature ranges from 70°F to 110°F. The right pool is the hottest. Though the water is murky, those pools are the most popular. Each pool is 1-2 feet deep.
There are a few more secluded pools down the hill with breathtaking views of the snow-capped Sierra Mountains. The temperatures in the lower pools are 98°F.
Places to Stay Near Travertine Hot Springs
Camping is not allowed at the hot springs. There are a few campgrounds nearby. Also, affordable lodging and vacation rentals are great options.
Affordable vacation rentals for short and long term stay at Bridgeport
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Travertine Hot Spring | Facts
Location: 2.2 miles southeast of Bridgeport • California • USA
Open: Year-round
Development: Primitive
Amenities: Picnic tables and a vault toilet
Hiking distance: Short
Road Access: Any vehicle when the road is dry
Restrictions: No camping, no fires
Day-use fees: None
Managed by: BLM
Elevation: 6,750 ft (2,057 m)
Water T° (source): 180-200°F (80-100°C)
Water T° (pools): 80-125°F (27-52°C)
Water acidity level: Weak acidic (pH=6.73)
Springs type: Sodium Bicarbonate and Sodium Sulfate
Flow rate: 50 l/min
Chemical used: None
Average dissolved solids: 4,324 Mg/L
| Cations
Sodium (Na) - 1,100 Mg/L |
Anions
Bicarbonate (HCO3) - 1,800 Mg/L |
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Directions to Travertine Hot Springs
From Highway 395 near milepost 76 at the south edge of Bridgeport,
- Turn left onto Jack Sawyer Road, just before the Ranger Station
- Drive 0.3 miles onto the paved road to the fork, bear left, and continue on the dirt road for 1.4 miles to the parking area.