Wild Willy’s Hot Springs, Mammoth Lakes, CA: Updated Guide 2026

The first time I pulled off Benton Crossing Road and followed that wooden boardwalk through the caldera meadow, I didn’t know Wild Willy’s Hot Springs would become my Eastern Sierra benchmark.

 I’m Vanessa, I run CATRAVELTIMES, and I’ve been road-tripping California’s hot springs for years. Wild Willy’s sits 15 miles east of Mammoth Lakes, costs nothing to enter, and delivers 2 geothermal pools up to 105°F with 360-degree Sierra views. Here’s exactly what to know before you go.

What is Wild Willy’s Hot Springs? Quick Detail

Wild Willy’s Hot Springs also called Crowley Hot Springs sits inside the Long Valley Caldera, a volcanic depression formed 760,000 years ago. The same underground heat still pushes the geothermal source to 112°F before it cools into 2 soaking pools at 95°F–105°F. The Paiute people used these waters long before modern visitors found them. The local Utu Utu Gwaitu tribe’s name literally means “Hot Water Place People.” 

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) manages the site today: no entry fee, no infrastructure, no reservations. Google visitors rate it 4.5/5. Best visiting window is late April through early October. Knowing this land was considered sacred shifts how a soak here feels less like a road trip checkbox, more like something borrowed. Now let me walk you through the directions.

Wild Willy’s Hot Springs: Directions & Map

Wild Willy’s Hot Springs sits at GPS coordinates 37.6622° N, 118.7676° W, approximately 15 miles east of Mammoth Lakes off Benton Crossing Road (also called Green Church Road) on BLM land in Mono County, California. From US-395, turn east onto Benton Crossing Road, look for the green church on the corner; it’s easy to blow past at highway speed.

 Drive east 2.5 miles, cross 2 cattle guards, turn right just past the second one, then follow the gravel road about 1.5 miles to the parking area. The road has potholes but is passable in a standard vehicle under dry conditions. And the moment you step out of the car and see the Sierra Nevada rising to the west, you’ll understand why I had to stop and take photos before I even changed into my swimsuit.

Wild Willy’s Hot Springs Photos: Scenic Views Worth Shooting

I shot everything here: the heart-shaped pool reflecting the Sierra peaks at golden hour, the steam rising off the creek pools at dawn, the wide meadow boardwalk with Glass Mountain sitting on the eastern horizon. Every angle earns its frame.

The photos only tell half the story let me walk you through what actually makes this place tick.

Planning Your Visit to Wild Willy’s Hot Springs: The Full Picture

Is Wild Willy’s Hot Springs Free to Visit?

Wild Willy’s is completely free. No entry fee, no reservation, no permit required for day use. It’s BLM-managed public land, and the access road, parking area, and boardwalk are all free to use. I’ve never paid a dollar to soak here, and I’ve been more than once.

What Are the Hours at Wild Willy’s Hot Springs?

Wild Willy’s Hot Springs has no official posted opening or closing hours it’s open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, year-round (weather and road conditions permitting). That said, the parking lot fills up fast on weekends, often by mid-morning in summer. I’ve had the best experiences arriving just after sunrise on a weekday pools mostly to myself, light hitting the Sierra just right.

Is Wild Willy’s Hot Springs Open in Winter?

Wild Willy’s is technically open in winter, but the dirt access road can close without notice due to snow or mud. Winters in the Long Valley Caldera drop frequently to freezing, and the road becomes genuinely impassable after heavy snowfall.

Check road conditions before you go. A high-clearance vehicle helps in early spring and late fall. The upside: winter visits can be spectacular steam pouring off 105°F water while the Sierra peaks are buried in snow. I’ll take that trade-off.

Are Dogs Allowed at Wild Willy’s Hot Springs?

Dogs are allowed but must stay leashed and out of the pools. The area has free-roaming cattle your dog startling livestock is a real concern. Keep them controlled and clean up after them. I’ve brought a dog once and spent half my soak managing the situation. Leave them home if you can.

Is Camping Allowed at Wild Willy’s Hot Springs?

Dispersed camping is permitted in the parking area under BLM rules, with a 14-day stay limit. There are no campground facilities no hookups, no fire rings, no trash service. Pack everything in and out, including human waste. Fires are not permitted in this area. The nearby Wilbur Hot Springs also sits in the Long Valley area and pairs well with a multi-night eastern Sierra trip if you want a more structured base.

What’s the Water Temperature & Best Time to Visit Wild Willy’s Hot Springs?

The water at Wild Willy’s emerges from the source at 112°F and cools as it flows into the 2 pools. The heart-shaped main pool runs hottest typically 100°F to 105°F. The creek pools downstream run cooler, closer to 95°F to 100°F depending on how far down you settle. My favorite spot is about halfway down the creek where the temperature sits right around 100°F  warm enough to stay in for 45 minutes without feeling cooked.

Spring is my personal pick late April through May means snow-capped peaks, almost no bugs, and crowds that haven’t hit summer levels yet. Now that you know when to go, let me tell you what to actually pack because I’ve gotten this wrong before.

Things to Do at Wild Willy’s Hot Springs

Soaking is the main event, but the region around Wild Willy’s is one of the most activity-dense stretches of the Eastern Sierra. I spent most of my time rotating between the heart-shaped pool and the creek pools, but I wished I had carved out more time for the area’s other draws. Here’s what I’d build a full trip around.

Soak in the Heart-Shaped Pool

The main pool at Wild Willy’s is rock-lined, roughly heart-shaped, and holds up to 12 to 15 people comfortably. It runs hotter than the creek typically 103°F to 105°F and offers an unobstructed view of the Sierra Nevada to the west. Free. Open 24 hours. Rated 4.5/5 on Google.

Yosemite National Park

Yosemite’s eastern entrance via Tioga Pass sits roughly 45 miles from the hot springs — about an hour in good conditions. The park (rated 4.8/5 on Google) charges a $35 vehicle entry fee and offers world-class hiking, climbing, and scenery. Note: Tioga Road closes between roughly November and late May.

Bodie State Historic Park

Bodie is one of California’s best-preserved ghost towns, sitting about 45 miles north of Wild Willy’s near Bridgeport. Rated 4.8/5 on Google. Open daily (seasonal hours apply), $8 per adult, $5 per child. The drive through the high desert plateau is half the experience I stopped twice just to look at nothing in particular.

Devils Postpile National Monument

About 25 miles west of the hot springs near Mammoth Mountain, Devils Postpile (rated 4.7/5 on Google) features dramatic columnar basalt formations and the Rainbow Falls trail. Entry via shuttle from Mammoth Mountain: $9 per adult. One of the more quietly spectacular places in the Eastern Sierra.

Inyo Craters

Inyo Craters are a chain of young volcanic craters about 12 miles northwest of the hot springs  a 10-minute walk from the trailhead parking area off Mammoth Scenic Loop. Free, no entry fee. The lakes sitting at the bottom of each crater are eerily blue-green and a good reminder of just how geologically alive this entire caldera region is.

Yosemite Falls (Day Trip)

At 2,425 feet, Yosemite Falls is the tallest waterfall in North America. From Wild Willy’s, it’s roughly a 90-mile drive via the Tioga Pass entrance (seasonal). Rated 4.8/5 on Google. Free with park entry ($35/vehicle). Late spring is the best time the falls peak with snowmelt runoff. For more Hot springs California to combine into a larger road trip, my full state guide has you covered.

The area genuinely rewards an overnight stay, which brings me to where to sleep and eat.

Where to Stay & Eat Near Wild Willy’s Hot Springs

I always base myself in Bridgeport or Lee Vining for Wild Willy’s visits both are quieter than Mammoth and closer to the less-visited parts of the Eastern Sierra. Here’s what I’d book.

Hotels Near Wild Willy’s Hot Springs

Virginia Creek Settlement

A historic property about 40 miles north of Wild Willy’s near Bridgeport, offering rustic cabins and motel rooms. Rates from approximately $100–$160/night. Rated 4.3/5 on Google. Basic but honest exactly right for an outdoor trip like this.

Bridgeport Inn

Located on Main Street in Bridgeport, CA 93517, this classic inn sits about 40 miles north of the hot springs. Rated 4.2/5 on Google. Rates from around $110–$170/night. The restaurant attached makes it convenient for an early night before a dawn soak.

Toiyabe Motel

A budget-friendly option in Bridgeport, about 40 miles from Wild Willy’s. Rates roughly $80–$130/night. Rated 3.9/5 on Google. Clean, basic, and fine for a 1-night stop.

Ruby Inn Bridgeport

Also in Bridgeport, Mono County. Rated 4.0/5 on Google. Rates from approximately $100–$150/night. Small property with easy parking for trucks and gear-heavy vehicles.

The Historic West Walker Motel

Located near Coleville on Highway 395, about 50 miles from the hot springs. Rated 4.1/5 on Google. A quiet, old-school roadside motel that works well as a northern-end base for the Eastern Sierra corridor.

Restaurants Near Wild Willy’s Hot Springs

The Barn

Casual American dining in Bridgeport, CA. Rated 4.3/5 on Google. Open for breakfast and lunch most days. Budget-friendly, with hearty plates suited to a post-soak appetite. Expect around $10–$20 per person.

Virginia Creek Settlement

Also operates as a restaurant serving American comfort food. Located on Highway 395 near Bridgeport, CA 93517. Rated 4.2/5 on Google. Open seasonally. Great for dinner after a long caldera day.

Chiles y Milagros

Mexican food near the Mammoth Lakes area. Rated 4.4/5 on Google. Open most days for lunch and dinner. Around $10–$18 per person reliably good, filling, and fast. Worth the stop before or after the drive to Wild Willy’s.

Mono Cone

A local ice cream and fast food spot in Lee Vining, CA on US-395. Rated 4.5/5 on Google. Seasonal operation (typically Memorial Day through fall). Soft serve after a hot springs soak on a warm June evening is hard to beat. Around $5–$10.

Nicely’s Restaurant

A long-running American diner in Lee Vining on US-395. Rated 4.1/5 on Google. Open for breakfast through dinner. Prices around $12–$22 per person. One of the few year-round full-service restaurants in the area useful in shoulder season when options thin out.

What Are People Saying About Wild Willy’s Hot Springs?

Google reviewers give Wild Willy’s Hot Springs a 4.5/5 across a high volume of reviews. The consistent praise is for the views nearly every reviewer mentions the Sierra Nevada panorama  and the free access. Couples and solo travelers dominate the reviews. Families with young children visit less frequently due to the clothing-optional nature of the site.

Honest complaints appear in the reviews too: weekend crowds, inconsistent pool temperatures in heavy weather, and the occasional garbage left by inconsiderate visitors. My take aligns: the setting is genuinely impressive, the pools are real, and the experience is exactly what it claims to be. No resort polish. Just open sky and hot water.

My Final Thoughts on Wild Willy’s Hot Springs

I’ve soaked at Wild Willy’s in April when snow still sat on the peaks, and in September when the basin was dry and golden. Both times hit differently, both times were worth every mile. This is the right place for people who want something real no admission desk, no towel service, no piped-in music.

The heart-shaped pool reflecting Sierra peaks at golden hour is the kind of moment you can’t manufacture. What I keep coming back to: the moment I sink into that 103°F water and look west at the Sherwin Range, nothing else is competing for my attention. If you want a polished spa day, go elsewhere. If you want the real Eastern Sierra, Wild Willy’s is a non-negotiable stop. Vanessa

FAQs About Wild Willy’s Hot Springs

Is Wild Willy’s Hot Springs currently open?

Wild Willy’s Hot Springs is open year-round as BLM land with no formal hours. Winter and early spring access depends entirely on road conditions. Snow can close the dirt access road without notice. Always check weather and road reports before driving out.

How hot is the water at Wild Willy’s Hot Springs?

The geothermal source emerges at 112°F. The main heart-shaped pool runs 100°F to 105°F. The creek pools run slightly cooler, typically 95°F to 100°F depending on location and season.

Is Wild Willy’s Hot Springs clothing-optional?

Yes. Nudity is common at Wild Willy’s, as it is at most undeveloped BLM hot springs in the Eastern Sierra. Swimsuits are welcome. Don’t be surprised by either.

How long is the walk from the parking area to the pools?

The boardwalk from the parking area to the main pool is approximately 0.25 miles about a 5 to 10 minute flat walk. The boardwalk can be slick when wet or icy. Bring shoes with grip, not flip-flops.

Can you camp at Wild Willy’s Hot Springs?

Dispersed camping is allowed in the parking area under BLM rules, 14-day maximum. No fires permitted. No trash service, pack everything out. For something more comfortable nearby, Buckeye Hot Springs to the north also has excellent dispersed camping options worth considering for a multi-stop Eastern Sierra trip.

What should I know about crowds at Wild Willy’s Hot Springs?

Summer weekends are the busiest the parking lot can fill by 10 AM. Arrive before sunrise on weekdays for the quietest experience. Reddit trip reports consistently confirm that weekday mornings are the way to go. Evenings draw a social crowd, especially in summer.

How does Wild Willy’s compare to other Eastern Sierra hot springs?

Wild Willy’s is one of the largest and most accessible free hot springs in the region bigger pools, easier road, more reliable access than most. If you’re building a longer Eastern Sierra loop, Harbin Hot Springs near Bridgeport and Little Hot Creek are 2 nearby options worth adding to the same trip.

Where can I find more California hot springs like Wild Willy’s?

I cover the full state on Hot Spring temperature breakdowns, crowd levels, and access difficulty for every major spot. Good starting point if you’re planning a longer road trip beyond the Eastern Sierra.