• 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 California's most visited hot springs. The area, managed by BLM, is known for its unique geological and hydrothermal features.
Besides hot pools for bathing, you will find colorful travertine deposits, fumaroles, and bubbling hot springs hidden beneath bright limestone ridges.
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 Experience
Travertine Hot Springs is 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 180-200°F is collected in 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 (10x5 ft and 2 ft deep) in the parking lot. Emerging from the nearby hill, the hot water flows into 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 4 volunteer-built pools. The mineral water runs along limestone veins, then flows off the ridge at 110°F into the pools, and overflows into 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.
Travertine Hot Springs Camping and Lodging
Camping is not allowed at the hot springs. There are a few campgrounds nearby.
Buckeye Campground, managed by the U.S. Forest Service, is located about 13 miles west of the springs. It is generally open during the warmer months, from late May through late September.
The campground provides 68 single sites, allows camping trailers up to 35 feet, and doesn't require reservations. Amenities include picnic tables, flush and vault toilets, but no potable water.
Affordable lodging and vacation rentals are available in Bridgeport, just 2 miles away.
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 • Eastern California • USA
Best time: Year-round
Development: Primitive
Clothing: Mandatory
Amenities: Picnic tables and a vault toilet
Hiking distance: Short
Road Access: Any vehicle when the road is dry
Day-use fees: None
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 |
More Adventures
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.