Vanessa Here, founder of CATRAVELTIMES, and Keough’s Hot Springs is one of those Eastern Sierra stops I return to every year. Located at 800 Keough Hot Springs Rd, Bishop, CA 93514 7 miles south of Bishop off US-395 Keough’s offers 2 pools, year-round camping, and free ditch soaking just outside the resort fence. Day use starts at $12. If you’re moving through the Eastern Sierra, this stop earns its place on the route.

Keough’s Hot Springs: Quick Detail

Keough’s Hot Springs has been running since 1919, when Phillip Keough a local civic leader and Bishop City Market owner built what he envisioned as a first-class health resort. The Paiute people used these geothermal waters for healing long before that. In the 1920s and 30s the resort hosted boxing matches, holiday barbecues, and Hollywood movie stars.

The City of Los Angeles acquired the property in 1926 during the Owens Valley water rights dispute. The Brown family of Bishop took ownership in 1998 and still runs it today. Knowing that history, I always feel something extra when I lower into the water here like I’m borrowing time from a place that has seen a lot of California pass through it. Now let me tell you how to get there.

Keough’s Hot Springs: Directions & Map

Keough’s sits at GPS coordinates 37.2536°N, 118.3749°W, 7 miles south of Bishop on US-395. Turn right onto Keough Hot Springs Rd and drive 1 mile west. The road is paved the entire way and the sign is easy to spot I’ve never missed the turn, even arriving after dark. Parking is a gravel lot that handles a good number of vehicles without feeling jammed. The Sierra Nevada rises directly to the west, and the moment you pull in you’ll understand why I always stop for photos before I even dig out my towel.

Keough’s Hot Springs Photos Scenic & Striking Views

The large pool against the Sierra backdrop is the shot I always take first especially on cold mornings when steam lifts off the water. I’ve photographed the hot soaking pool at golden hour, the ditch pools from above, and the tent cabins with the mountains right behind them.

Keough's Hot Springs A Natural Escape to Calm

Keough's Hot Springs Let nature heal you

Those photos still don’t fully prepare you for what the water feels like so let me walk through everything you need to know before visiting.

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

Is Keough’s Hot Springs Free to Visit?

Day use costs $12 per person and covers both pools, lounge chairs, and the picnic area. Water aerobics classes run 4 times a week at an additional $8 per person no sign-up required. If $12 is more than you want to spend, the Keough’s Hot Ditch just outside the resort fence is free and open during daylight hours.

What Are Keough’s Hot Springs Hours?

Keough’s is open Tuesday through Sunday; Monday is always closed. Tuesday through Friday hours run 11 AM to 6 PM. Saturday and Sunday the gates open at 9 AM and close at 6 PM. Hours shift seasonally I always check their Facebook page before driving out since they post updates fastest there. Arriving at opening on a weekend morning gives you the best light and fewest people in the pools.

What Do Keough’s Hot Springs Prices and Tickets Cover?

Admission is $12 for day use no advance booking required, pay at the gate. Camping with water and electric hookups runs $35 per night for up to 6 people. Dry campsites are $30 per night. Rustic furnished tent cabins come in at $179.20 all-in per night and include 2 pool entries, shower tokens, towels, and 1 bundle of firewood. Groups over 10 should call (760) 872-4670 ahead of arrival.

What Is Keough’s Hot Springs Camping Like?

Keough’s offers 3 camping options: water-and-electric sites, dry campsites, and furnished tent cabins. The 10 water-and-electric sites run on 30-amp service and sit on maintained grass with direct Sierra views. Dry sites are exposed gravel functional, not scenic. No generators are permitted. Maximum stay is 2 weeks. For anyone doing an Eastern Sierra road trip and wanting pool access every morning, this is a solid base. I’ve written about more statewide options on the California hot springs destinations if you’re building a longer route.

What Is Keough’s Hot Springs Ditch?

Keough’s Hot Ditch is a series of free, primitive rock-walled soaking pools fed by geothermal runoff from the resort’s spring source. Water emerges at approximately 130°F and cools as it flows downhill the higher up the ditch, the hotter the water. GPS for the ditch: 37.2573°N, 118.3722°W, on Keough Hot Springs Rd just outside the resort boundary. The water runs clear. Nudity is common know that before you arrive. No camping is permitted at the ditch. Pack out everything you bring in.

Has There Been a Death at Keough’s Hot Springs?

Yes a death linked to the Keough’s Hot Ditch area has been documented. A Naegleria fowleri infection a brain-eating amoeba found in warm freshwater was connected to soaking in this area. These infections are extremely rare in the US (0 to 8 cases per year nationally) but are almost always fatal. The amoeba enters through the nose only not through skin contact. Keep your head above water at the ditch. The resort’s chlorinated pools carry a separate and lower risk profile. If you’re researching Hot springs in California with fully managed pool environments, read what each site offers before committing.

What’s the Water Like, and When Should You Go?

The large pool surprised me the first time. At 88–90°F it’s closer to a warm swimming pool than the deep therapeutic soak I usually chase. The 104°F hot soaking pool is where I spend most of my time. The source flows at 123°F and 600 gallons per minute, cooled through a waterfall spray system before entering the big pool. After an hour in the mineral water 27 minerals in total I could feel that slight silkiness that good mineral water leaves on your skin.

Season	Why Visit	Best Time	Water Temperature
Spring	Warm days 65–80°F, light crowds	Weekday mornings	Large pool 88–90°F / Hot pool 104°F
Summer	Long days, ideal for the big pool	Before 10 AM weekends	Large pool 88–90°F / Hot pool 104°F
Fall	Cool air, steam rising, fewer visitors	Any day	Large pool 88–90°F / Hot pool 104°F
Winter	Snow-capped Sierra views, 45–60°F air	Midday for warmth	Large pool 88–90°F / Hot pool 104°F
Year-Round	Both pools held at constant temperature	Anytime	Large pool 88–90°F / Hot pool 104°F

Knowing when to go is half the battle the other half is what to pack.

What Should You Bring to Keough’s Hot Springs?

I treat Keough’s like any serious Eastern Sierra stop — the drive out is easy but the nearest full grocery store is back in Bishop. Once you’re on-site, you’re committed. Pack smart before you leave the car.

Clothing & Pool Essentials

Rash Guard or Swim Shorts — protects shoulders during long afternoon sessions in the open-air pool
Extra Towel — one stays wet the whole visit; bring a second for the drive home
Waterproof Sandals — the gravel path between parking, pools, and picnic area punishes bare feet
Hair Tie or Swim Cap — the 104°F soaking pool and loose hair don’t work well together

Health & Safety

Electrolyte Packets — high elevation soaking drains more than plain water replaces
Ibuprofen — the hot pool helps sore muscles; backup pain relief helps more
Waterproof Sunscreen — regular sunscreen washes off the large pool within 30 minutes
Nose Clip — the simplest way to relax in the ditch without worrying about submersion

Practical Extras

Cash in Small Bills — day use is $12 and the on-site shop doesn’t always run smoothly on card
Portable Phone Charger — free WiFi on-site but almost no outlets; a power bank earns its place
Ziploc Bags — keeps wet gear separated from everything dry in your bag

What Can You Do at Keough’s Hot Springs?

I block at least 3 hours here an hour split between the 2 pools, time on the rock garden trail, and enough downtime to sit and watch the mountains shift in the afternoon. There’s more here than most people expect.

Soak in the Large Pool (100 x 40 ft) — Lap swimming, water aerobics 4 times a week, or just floating. Depth runs from 3 to 8.5 feet. Good for families and active visitors.
Soak in the Hot Pool (15 x 40 ft at 104°F) — Smaller, quieter, and more therapeutic. I spend at least 30 minutes here every visit — the best part of the property after a hard hiking day.
Walk the Rock Garden Trail — A short on-site path through landscaped rock gardens. Easy and peaceful, good for stretching between pool sessions.
Keough’s Hot Ditch — Free primitive pools just outside the resort fence. Go early on weekends. Keep your head above the water.
Laws Railroad Museum & Historical Site — 4.5 miles north in Bishop. Open-air museum with full-size historic locomotives and Owens Valley railroad history worth 90 minutes of your time.
Owens Valley Paiute-Shoshone Cultural Center — In Bishop. Meaningful context on the indigenous communities who used these springs long before the resort existed.
Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest — About 24 miles east via White Mountain Road. The oldest living trees on Earth. Worth the drive if you have a half-day free.
Bishop Pass Trailhead — One of the Eastern Sierra’s best day hike entries, about 20 miles west of Bishop via South Lake Road.

For a wilder, more remote soak on the same trip, Wild Willy’s Hot Springs, Vichy Springs near Mammoth Lakes makes a natural add-on. Here’s what to know before you pull into Keough’s.

What Do You Need to Know Before Visiting Keough’s Hot Springs?

Monday is always closed: Year-round, no exceptions. Check the day before building your route.
Keep your head above water in the ditch: Naegleria fowleri has been documented here. It enters through the nose only avoid submersion.
The large pool is cooler than most hot springs: At 88–90°F it is a warm swim, not a deep therapeutic soak. Use both pools on the same visit.
Arrive before 10 AM on weekends: Keough’s draws Bishop locals alongside road-trippers. Weekday mornings are the best version of this place.
No generators at the campground: Sites run on 30-amp electric hookups; the rule is firm.
The road in is paved for any vehicle: 1 mile west off US-395. No 4WD needed one of the most accessible hot spring sites in the Eastern Sierra.
Campground showers cost extra: $2 for 6 minutes. Bring quarters or ask at check-in.

Where to Stay & Eat Near Keough’s Hot Springs

I either camp on-site or base out of Bishop 7 miles north, with options across every price point.

Hotels Near Keough’s Hot Springs

Bristlecone Motel — Budget-friendly, Bishop town center, walking distance to restaurants
Travelodge by Wyndham Bishop — Central location, reliable chain rates, easy US-395 access
Starlight Motel — Small independent motel, low nightly rates for a clean overnight stop
Cielo Hotel Bishop-Mammoth, Ascend Collection — Best rooms in Bishop, mountain views, higher price point; ideal for couples
Best Western Bishop Lodge — Full-service hotel, outdoor pool, pet-friendly, solid mid-range rates

Restaurants Near Keough’s Hot Springs

Whiskey Creek — American, 524 N Main St; mid-range pricing, full bar, reliable post-soak dinner
Mountain Rambler Brewery — Craft beer and pub food, 186 S Main St; casual local spot, worth a stop
Grandma’s Seasoning Restaurant — Comfort food; home-style cooking and generous portions at fair prices
Copper Top BBQ — 310 N Main St; highly rated smoked meats, quick and filling for road-trippers
Rossi’s Place — Italian and American; local favorite, relaxed atmosphere, reliable food

What Are People Saying About Keough’s Hot Springs?

Keough’s holds a 4.4-star Google rating. Reviews consistently highlight clean pools, affordable pricing, and a Sierra backdrop that earns its own mentions. Visitors praise the on-site camping convenience and the midweek family-friendly atmosphere.

Families, solo travelers, and couples make up most of the crowd. The honest recurring note across reviews: this is not a polished spa. The pools were built in 1919. The facilities are simple. Most visitors say that’s exactly what they wanted and I’d agree.

What I’ll Always Remember About Keough’s Hot Springs

I almost kept driving the first time I saw the sign. Nothing about the roadside view tells you what’s on the other side of that 1-mile turn-off. The Sierra Nevada filling your windshield and the steam rising off the large pool make the case fast. I’ve soaked here in July heat and December cold the December version wins every time.

Near-empty pools, 45°F air, snow on the peaks, 104°F water you don’t want to leave. Keough’s is right for anyone running US-395, camping the Eastern Sierra on a budget, or wanting a real hot spring without a dirt road to earn it. Skip it if you need resort polish. Come if you want something that has been here since 1919 and isn’t trying to be anything else.

FAQs About Keough’s Hot Springs

Q. What time does Keough’s Hot Springs open?

Tuesday through Friday: 11 AM to 6 PM. Saturday and Sunday: 9 AM to 6 PM. Monday is closed every week, year-round no exceptions.

Q. How much does it cost to get into Keough’s Hot Springs?

Day use is $12 per person covering both pools. Camping with water and electric runs $35 per night. Dry campsites are $30 per night. Tent cabins are $179.20 per night all-in, including 2 pool entries, shower tokens, towels, and firewood.

Q. Is Keough’s Hot Ditch safe to soak in?

A Naegleria fowleri infection has been documented in the ditch area. The amoeba enters through the nose only not through skin contact. Keep your head above water and read the posted warning signs before getting in.

Q. Can you camp at Keough’s Hot Springs?

Yes water-and-electric sites, dry campsites, and rustic tent cabins are all available. Maximum stay is 2 weeks. No generators permitted. Tent cabin cancellations need 48-hour advance notice to avoid a one-night charge.

Q. How hot is the water at Keough’s Hot Springs?

The large pool holds at 88–90°F year-round. The hot soaking pool holds at 104°F year-round. The geothermal source flows at 123°F and is cooled through a waterfall spray system before entering the large pool.

Q. Is Keough’s Hot Springs good for families?

Yes. The large pool runs from 3 to 8.5 feet deep with plenty of room for kids to swim. Water aerobics is open to all ages. The 104°F soaking pool suits adults better. The site is clean, managed, and family-friendly bring your own towels for day use.

Q. Where exactly is Keough’s Hot Springs located?

800 Keough Hot Springs Rd, Bishop, CA 93514. GPS: 37.2536°N, 118.3749°W. Elevation: 4,350 feet. Located 7 miles south of Bishop in the Owens Valley off US-395. Fully paved road any standard vehicle can access the site.