Hilltop Hot Springs, Mammoth Lakes, California: Updated Guide 2026

I’m Vanessa a San Diego native, lifelong California traveler, and the kind of person who keeps handwritten notes about road trip coordinates the way other people keep grocery lists.

Hilltop Hot Springs known as Pulkey’s Pool is a free, Bureau of Land Management (BLM)-managed stone soaking tub 12.5 miles east of Mammoth Lakes, California, sitting at 6,900 feet with 360-degree Sierra Nevada views and water that holds between 100–105°F. It costs nothing to visit. It gives back more than you expect. For more California hot springs guides, visit catraveltimes.com.

What is Hilltop Hot Springs: Quick Details

Hilltop Hot Springs sits at M676+H6, Mammoth Lakes, California, managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) with completely free entry and free parking. Water temperature hovers between 100–105°F, adjustable via an on-site gate valve pipe. Best time to visit is sunrise in late spring or early fall. Google rating sits at 4.2 stars.

Hilltop Hot Springs Direction & Map

• Located at GPS coordinates 37.6488° N, 118.9718° W, accessible via US-395 and Mammoth Lakes Boulevard, nearest town is Mammoth Lakes, CA.

I came in from the south on US-395, turned off toward Mammoth Lakes, and followed the signs up into town. The road in is paved the whole way no white-knuckling required which surprised me after some of the more rugged springs I’ve visited in the Eastern Sierra. I arrived just before 7 AM on a Friday in October, the air was sharp and cold, and the steam rising off the pool was visible from the parking area. Walking up that last short stretch, I could already feel the warmth reaching out.

Hilltop Hot Springs Photos: Stunning & Scenic Views

Some places don’t need an introduction. They just take your breath away. Hilltop Hot Springs is exactly that. Warm pools tucked in nature, canyon views all around, and a silence that heals your soul. See it to believe it

Key Topics Every Visitor Should Know: Status, Pools & Past Closures 

What Is the Cost of Hilltop Hot Springs?

Hilltop Hot Springs is completely free to visit, with no entry fee and no parking fee. The BLM manages the site as a public recreation area, which means no ticket booth, no reservation system, and no cash required. I’ve paid $20 entry at Commercial Springs in California, which honestly didn’t compare to what I found here. 

If you’re exploring other no-cost soaks in the state, Deep Creek Hot Springs is another BLM-managed gem worth adding to your California hot springs list. Bring what you need, leave nothing behind that’s the only real price of admission. A voluntary Leave No Trace ethic keeps places like this free for everyone. 

Can You Camp at Hilltop Hot Springs?

There is no designated campground at Hilltop Hot Springs itself, but dispersed BLM camping is available in the surrounding area near Mammoth Lakes. When I visited, I didn’t see any overnight setups right at the pool and honestly, the site doesn’t really have space for it.

 If you want to make a multi-day trip out of it, the Mammoth Lakes area has developed campgrounds nearby, and dispersed camping on BLM land is permitted outside posted restricted zones. Check the BLM Bishop Field Office for current rules before you set up anywhere. If you’re planning a broader Northern California soaking trip, there are more Hot Springs worth adding to your route before or after Harbin.  

Water Temperature & Best Time to Visit Hilltop Hot Springs

The first time I lowered myself into that water I let out an involuntary exhale 102°F on a 38°F October morning hits differently than any indoor spa ever has. What I appreciated most was the gate valve on the inlet pipe: you can actually dial the temperature up or down depending on how many people are in the pool and what feels right. I visited in early fall and it was close to perfect.

Tips for Visiting Hilltop Hot Springs

I learned a few of these the hard way. On my second visit I forgot a proper towel and dried off with a camp bandana in 40°F air — not my best decision. The pool rewards people who come prepared and punishes people who wing it.

Clothing & Footwear

• Swimsuit — required; this is a public BLM site with other visitors present
• Towel — bring a large one; air temperature can drop fast after you get out
• Water Shoes — the pool bottom has some rough texture; protect your feet
• Change of Clothes — sulfur smell clings; fresh clothes for the drive back are worth it

Comfort & Protection

• Water Bottle — soaking in hot water dehydrates you faster than you expect
• Sunscreen — elevation at Mammoth Lakes means UV exposure is no joke
• Sunglasses — morning glare off the water and surrounding snow can be intense
• Hat — useful for sun in summer and warmth on cold-weather soaks

Food & Personal Items

• Snacks or Picnic — no food vendors anywhere near the site; eat before or bring food
• Cash — no fees here, but nearby Mammoth shops and parking may need it
• Camera — the steam rising off the pool at sunrise is genuinely worth photographing

Things to Do at Hilltop Hot Springs

Beyond the soak itself, I’ve spent full days in this part of the Eastern Sierra and still felt like I was only scratching the surface. The region around Mammoth Lakes packs more into a square mile than almost anywhere else I’ve driven in California. If the thermal soaking bug bites you hard enough, it’s worth knowing that Wilbur Hot Springs a clothing-optional, reservation-based retreat in Northern California — offers a completely different but equally memorable hot springs experience for when you’re ready to explore beyond the Sierra. 

• Yosemite National Park – About 2 hours from Mammoth Lakes; I drove over on my second morning and the contrast between volcanic high desert and granite valley floored me.
• Yosemite Falls – The tallest waterfall in North America at peak flow — worth timing your visit for late spring when snowmelt is running hard.
• Inyo Craters – Less than 20 minutes from Hilltop; three volcanic craters you can walk around the rim of, two of which hold water. Eerie and completely worth the detour.
• Bodie State Historic Park – A genuine gold-rush ghost town preserved in a state of “arrested decay.” I drove out one afternoon expecting an hour and stayed for three.
• Devils Postpile National Monument – About 10 miles from Mammoth Lakes; the columnar basalt formations here look almost engineered. One of the more surreal geological sites I’ve stood next to in California.
• Twin Falls Overlook – A short hike with a payoff that felt disproportionate to the effort. The falls drop through a canyon that turns golden in fall light.
• Minaret Vista – Pull off here on the way back from Devils Postpile. The view of the Ritter Range and the Minarets stopped me mid-sentence.
• Yosemite – Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias – I walked through here on a quiet Tuesday morning and stood next to trees that were alive during the Roman Empire. Worth the drive from Mammoth.

What to Know Before You Go Hilltop Hot Springs

1. No facilities on-site: There are no restrooms, no changing rooms, and no running water at Hilltop Hot Springs. I use the facilities in Mammoth Lakes before heading out, every single time.
2. Pack out everything: The BLM asks visitors to leave no trace. I’ve seen the difference between what this place looks like when people follow that and when they don’t. Bring a bag for your own trash.
3. Arrive early on weekends: The pool holds a limited number of people comfortably. By 10 AM on a Saturday in summer, you may be waiting. Sunrise gets you the best of it.
4. The water is adjustable: The gate valve on the inlet pipe lets you control how hot the water runs. If the pool feels too hot when you arrive, give it a few minutes after adjusting — it takes time to equalize.
5. Cell service is limited: Download offline maps or save the GPS coordinates before you leave town. Relying on live navigation once you’re in the hills around Mammoth can leave you guessing.
6. Respect other soakers: This is a shared public space. Keep noise reasonable, don’t monopolize the valve, and give people space in and around the pool.
7. Weather changes fast: Mammoth Lakes sits above 7,800 feet in elevation. Even on a warm afternoon, temperatures can drop sharply after sunset. Bring layers you’re not afraid to leave in the car.

Where to Stay & Eat Near Hilltop Hot Springs

I try to stay within 20 minutes of a hot spring when I can there’s something about soaking at sunrise and then having breakfast nearby that makes a trip feel complete. Mammoth Lakes has solid options across most budgets.

Hotels Near Hilltop Hot Springs

• Tamarack Lodge & Resort – Cabins and lodge rooms, sleeps 2–6, 5 miles from Hilltop; classic Eastern Sierra mountain lodge with lakeside setting and a strong local reputation.
• Juniper Springs Resort – Condo-style units, sleeps up to 6, 3 miles from Hilltop; ski-in access in winter, good amenities, well-suited for groups or families.
• Mammoth Mountain Inn – Hotel rooms and suites, sleeps 2–4, adjacent to Mammoth Mountain base; convenient for skiers and summer hikers, reliable mid-range option.
• Virginia Creek Settlement – Rustic cabins and motel rooms, sleeps 2–4, about 45 minutes from Hilltop on US-395; remote feel, charming Western-style property, great value.
• Ventura Grand Inn – Standard hotel rooms, sleeps 2–3, in central Mammoth Lakes; budget-friendly, walkable to town restaurants, straightforward and clean.

Restaurants Near Hilltop Hot Springs

• Virginia Creek Settlement – American comfort food, US-395 near Bridgeport; cash-friendly, no-frills diner energy with a good burger and strong local following.
• The Barn – Casual American, central Mammoth Lakes; approachable menu, relaxed atmosphere, good for post-soak meals without having to think too hard.
• Chiles y Milagros – Mexican, Mammoth Lakes; solid green chile and the kind of portions that make sense after a morning outdoors.
• Balanced Rock Grill & Cantina – American/Mexican fusion, Mammoth Lakes; reliable lunch spot with outdoor seating when the weather holds.
• Dos Alas CubaRican Café & Lounge – Cuban/Puerto Rican, Mammoth Lakes; a genuinely unexpected find in the Eastern Sierra — the food is good and the vibe is nothing like anywhere else in town.

Hilltop Hot Springs Reviews: What Do People Think?

Hilltop Hot Springs holds a 4.2 out of 5 on Google, with most visitors calling out the views, the adjustable temperature, and the free access as the main draws. I’d agree with all of that. What struck me personally was how well the site holds up for a free BLM resource.

 The pool itself was clean on both my visits, and the people I soaked alongside were respectful and low-key. Couples and solo travelers make up the majority of visitors I’ve seen here; it draws people who came for the nature, not the Instagram moment.

A Honest Word at the End 

Hilltop Hot Springs is the kind of place that earns its reputation without trying. It’s free, it’s real, and on a cold October morning with steam rising off 104°F water and the Eastern Sierra stretching out around you, it delivers something most paid resort spas simply can’t. 

I remember sitting in the pool on my second visit, adjusting the valve just slightly, watching the sun clear the ridge to the east and thinking that this is exactly why I make these drives. It’s right for anyone willing to show up early, pack their own supplies, and share a wild place with a little grace. If you want a heated indoor pool and a bathrobe, this isn’t it. If you want the real thing, come here.

FAQs

Q. Is Hilltop Hot Springs actually free?

Yes completely. No entry fee, no parking fee, no reservation required. The BLM manages it as a free public recreation site and I’ve never once been asked to pay anything.

Q. What are the GPS coordinates for Hilltop Hot Springs?

The coordinates are 37.6488° N, 118.9718° W, with Google Plus Code M676+H6 in Mammoth Lakes, CA. Plug those in before you leave town and you’ll have no trouble finding it.

Q. Can you camp overnight at Hilltop Hot Springs?

Not at the pool itself — there’s no designated camping there. Dispersed BLM camping is available in surrounding areas; check with the BLM Bishop Field Office for current permitted zones and rules.

Q. How hot is the water at Hilltop Hot Springs?

The pool typically runs between 100–105°F. There’s a gate valve on the inlet pipe that lets you adjust the flow, so if it’s running too hot you can dial it back and wait a few minutes for it to equalize.

Q. How crowded does Hilltop Hot Springs get?

Weekday mornings are manageable — I’ve had the pool nearly to myself before 8 AM on a Friday. Weekend afternoons in summer are a different story. Arrive early or plan for company.

Q. Are there restrooms or changing facilities at Hilltop Hot Springs?

None. No restrooms, no changing rooms, no running water on site. Handle everything in Mammoth Lakes before you head out.

Q. What’s the closest town to Hilltop Hot Springs?

Mammoth Lakes, CA the spring sits within the Mammoth Lakes area and the town is the closest hub for food, lodging, fuel, and facilities.