Not every hot spring earns a return trip. Grover Hot Springs did twice. I’m Vanessa, the founder behind CATRAVELTIMES, and I’ve been documenting California’s thermal pools long enough to know the difference between a soak worth the drive and one that disappoints at the parking lot.

Grover sits near Markleeville, CA, about an hour south of South Lake Tahoe. Water runs 102–105°F, granite peaks close in on three sides, and the crowds stay manageable on weekdays. It’s one of my honest favorites in the California hot springs lineup.

What is Grover Hot Springs? Quick Detail

At 3415 Hot Springs Road, Markleeville, CA 96120, people have been finding this valley since the 1850s. Indigenous communities used these waters long before the 553-acre park was formally established in 1959, and the same 6 mineral springs flow today. Entry runs $10 per adult, $5 for children 16 and under, plus $8 parking.

Water holds between 102–105°F year-round. Google rates it 4.6 out of 5. Sitting in 104°F water with granite walls closing in around you, that history registers without anyone having to explain it. For a similar backcountry-feeling soak further south, Deep Creek Hot Springs is worth adding to your list. Now let me tell you how to get here.

How to find Grover Hot Springs? Directions & Map

GPS Coordinates: 38.6927° N, 119.8527° W. Take Highway 89 to Markleeville, then head west on Hot Springs Road for 4 fully paved miles to the park entrance. Nearest town: Markleeville, CA.

I came in from the north on Highway 89 through Hope Valley one of the more honest drives in California. Markleeville goes by fast, then you’re winding through pine forest on Hot Springs Road. Nothing requires more than a standard car. I arrived mid-morning to a lot a third full. Hawkins Peak at 10,023 feet closes in fast once you park and that’s when you understand why I had to stop and take photos before I even changed into my swimsuit.

Grover Hot Springs Photos Stunning & Scenic Views

Photograph it before you get in. The pool against the peaks, the meadow boardwalk at sunrise, the creek trail, the parking lot view most people walk straight past Grover is more scenic than a concrete pool complex has any right to be.

Grover Hot Springs A Natural Escape to Calm

Grover Hot Springs Relaxation Carved by Nature

That backdrop is part of the experience, not a bonus. Now let’s get into everything you need to know before showing up.

Important Information You Need to Know About Grover Hot Springs

When Will Grover Hot Springs Open and Why Was It Closed?

The Tamarack Fire in July 2021 damaged the park and forced a full pool closure. Day use reopened May 2022, the campground followed in June 2022, and the hot springs reopened after hazard tree removal and trail resurfacing. Annual closures still apply: 2 full weeks every September, single-day closures in December, March, and June, and on Thanksgiving and Christmas. Call (530) 694-2249 to confirm before making the drive.

What Are the Grover Hot Springs Pool Hours?

The pool runs daily June through August. September through May, hours vary call ahead or check ReserveCalifornia.com before leaving. Afternoon thunderstorms in July and August can force same-day closures at any lightning risk. I called the morning of my visit and confirmed in 2 minutes. Arrive early in summer to guarantee your session. Day use runs sunrise to sunset year-round.

How Do You Get Grover Hot Springs Pool Reservations?

Book through ReserveCalifornia.com up to 3 weeks ahead with at least 48 hours notice. Pools operate 6 days a week closed every Wednesday. I booked on Tuesday for Thursday and had no issues. Walk-ups exist but on summer weekends they’re a gamble not worth taking. Cancel a day ahead for a refund no refunds for no-shows. Bring cash; internet at the entrance is unreliable.

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

I stepped into the pool on an October morning with the air around 45°F and the water at 103°F. That contrast between cold Sierra air and hot mineral water stays with you. Unlike Harbin Hot Springs in Lake County which runs mineral-heavy and clothing-optional Grover carries almost no sulfur. The smell fades within minutes. Water is drained and refilled daily, and a lifeguard is on duty during peak season.

Season	Why Visit	Best Time	Water Temperature
Summer	Clear skies, wildflowers, full operations	Early morning weekdays	102–104°F
Winter	Snow-covered peaks, quiet atmosphere	Midday when roads clear	103–105°F
Spring	Wildflower meadows, creeks running full	Late May through June	102–104°F
Fall	Fewer crowds, fall color, sharp cool air	September–October	103–105°F
Year-Round	Open most days with exceptions	Call ahead	102–105°F

Fall is my vote cool air, fewer people, and that late-afternoon light on Hawkins Peak. Now let me tell you what to pack.

Things to Do at Grover Hot Springs

I planned to soak and leave in 2 hours. I stayed for 6. The waterfall trail, the meadow boardwalk, a picnic along the creek this park earns more time than most visitors give it.

Waterfall Trail Hike

The 2.3-mile round trip follows Hot Springs Creek to a 50-foot cascade with just 91 feet of elevation gain. The boulder scramble near the top is the one moment that asks something of you. Rated 4.7 stars on Google. Free with park entry.

ADA Accessible Meadow Boardwalk

Flat loop through the meadow along Hot Springs Creek, good for early morning before crowds arrive. Quiet enough to hear the creek moving. Free with park entry.

Burnside Lake Trail

An 8.1-mile round trip with serious elevation gain starting near the park. The alpine lake at the top is worth the effort on a full day. No additional fee beyond park entry.

Alpine County Museum, Markleeville

Small museum in Markleeville covering Gold Rush history and early settler records. Good context before or after the springs. Open Tuesday through Saturday. Free admission.

Carson-Iceberg Wilderness

Multi-day backcountry access for those using Grover as a basecamp. Trailheads are within 30 minutes of the park. Before you go, the full California Hot springs guide helps build the bigger trip around it.

The park runs deeper than the pool that’s the whole point. Now let’s cover where to sleep and eat.

Where to Stay & Eat Near Grover Hot Springs

I pick a base that keeps the morning drive short. Markleeville has a small general store and 2 gas stations for real options, spread into Hope Valley and the Carson River corridor. All data sourced from Google Maps.

Hotels Near Grover Hot Springs

Desolation Hotel Hope Valley

Lodge-style cabins in Hope Valley, roughly 25 miles north. Upscale Sierra atmosphere, rated 4.5 stars on Google. Best for a 2-night trip built around the springs. Rates from approximately $180/night.

Creekside Lodge

Cabin-style rooms near Markleeville. Quiet and simple, rated 4.3 stars on Google. Best for couples wanting proximity to the park without fuss. Rates from approximately $120/night.

Markleeville Campground (On-Site)

76 sites in summer, 25 first-come sites in winter inside the park itself. Summer: $35/night; Winter: $25/night. Book through ReserveCalifornia.com mid-May through mid-September.

Restaurants Near Grover Hot Springs

Cutthroat Tavern

American bar food in Markleeville. Cash-friendly with strong local character. Rated 4.4 stars on Google. Open daily from 11 AM.

Sorensen’s Cafe, Hope Valley

Strong coffee and baked goods 25 miles north. Wood-fire warmth that fits the mountain mood. Rated 4.5 stars on Google. Open daily from 8 AM.

Caples Lake Resort Restaurant

Seasonal lakeside dining about 20 miles northwest. Scenic and worth the short drive in summer. Rated 4.3 stars on Google. Open late May through early October.

What Are People Saying About Grover Hot Springs?

Google visitors rate Grover Hot Springs at 4.6 out of 5. The consistent praise centers on the setting people arrived expecting a basic concrete pool and left talking about the peaks. Low sulfur comes up repeatedly as a positive from visitors familiar with stronger-smelling springs. Weekdays bring solo travelers and couples; weekends fill with families. The trails pull their own crowd, separate from the pool visitors entirely.

My Honest Take After Soaking at Grover Hot Springs

Grover Hot Springs is not trying to impress you. Two concrete pools, a wooden fence, changing rooms, and 10,000-foot granite peaks on three sides that’s the whole setup. The moment that stayed with me was stepping out of 103°F water into 40-something-degree October air and watching Hawkins Peak go orange in late afternoon light. Nobody else in the pool. Just that view and the silence of a mountain valley doing exactly what it’s always done.

This is not for people who need towel service. It’s for people who drove a long way, hiked a waterfall first, and want to sit in hot water until the outside world stops mattering. Go on a weekday, bring cash, book the pool early, and give it more than 2 hours. And if this kind of honest, off-the-beaten-path experience is what you’re after, CATRAVELTIMES has more of it waiting for you.

FAQs About Grover Hot Springs

Is Grover Hot Springs open year-round?

The park is open year-round but pool hours change September through May. Pools close 2 weeks every September and on Thanksgiving and Christmas. Call (530) 694-2249 before visiting outside summer.

Do I need a reservation for the pool?

Yes. Book through ReserveCalifornia.com up to 3 weeks ahead with 48 hours notice minimum. Walk-ups are not guaranteed on summer weekends.

How much does it cost to visit?

Pool entry is $10 per adult and $5 per child 16 and under. Parking is $8, included with pool admission. Seniors 62 and older pay $7 for parking.

Can I bring my dog?

Dogs are welcome in the park on a leash but are not permitted inside the pool complex at any time.

Is the Waterfall Trail difficult?

No. It’s 2.3 miles round trip with 91 feet of elevation gain. The boulder field near the falls is the only technical section no climbing skills required.