Little Hot Creek, Mono County: Updated Guide 2026

Little Hot Creek is one of the most underrated free soaks in all of California. I’m Vanessa, founder of CATRAVELTIMES, and I’ve been tracking California’s geothermal pools for years. Little Hot Creek sits 12 miles east of Mammoth Lakes inside the Long Valley Caldera  free access, no facilities, and water that runs between 105°F and 115°F. 

The last 1.5 miles are rough dirt. Worth every bump. and if you want the honest version of what to expect, you’re in the right place. I’ve also covered dozens of Hot springs across California, so I know exactly how this one stacks up.  

What is Little Hot Creek? Quick Detail

The Long Valley Caldera formed in a massive volcanic eruption 760,000 years ago and the ground is still warm beneath your feet. The Paiute people used these thermal waters long before any road existed here, relying on the Eastern Sierra springs for warmth and healing. Little Hot Creek draws heat from that same deep magma system, surfacing about 200 yards above the soaking area and cooling slowly as it runs through the grass. 

When I first heard the water before I could see the tub, I stopped walking for a second. It felt earned. The tub costs nothing, sits at 7,000 feet elevation, and pulls a 1.4 rating online mostly from visitors who arrived expecting a resort and found a creek. That rating tells me more about expectations than the place itself. The best time to visit is late spring through early fall. Now let me walk you through the drive in.

How to Find Little Hot Creek? Directions & Map

From Mammoth Lakes, take US-395 south for 5.5 miles to Benton Crossing Road and turn left. Follow it east paved first, then rough dirt for the last 1.5 miles. GPS for the tub: 37.6902°N, 118.8424°W. Parking coordinates: 37°41’25.0″N, 118°50’32.7″W.

I almost blew past the Benton Crossing turnoff the first time it comes up fast. Park and walk the short path down to the water. The moment you see the creek threading through open grass, you’ll understand why I stopped for photos before I even changed.

Little Hot Creek Photos: What You’ll Want to Shoot

I photographed the concrete tub at golden hour the water turned amber, the Sierra ridgeline went sharp, and the little wooden boardwalk crossing the creek framed everything better than I expected.

The photos don’t fully capture how quiet it is out there but they come close. Let’s talk through everything you need to know before you make the drive.

Important Information for Visiting Little Hot Creek

Is Little Hot Creek Free to Visit?

Little Hot Creek is completely free. No entry fee, no permit, no reservation needed. The U.S. Forest Service (USFS) manages the land and keeps it open during daylight. Camping a few hundred yards from the tub is allowed at no charge.

What Are the Facilities at Little Hot Creek?

There are none zero. No bathrooms, no trash cans, no changing area. The only thing beside the tub is a set of wooden slats to rest gear on. Pack everything in. Pack everything out. Nothing is provided here.

Is Little Hot Creek Clothing Optional?

Yes. The local custom is clothing optional, and nudity is common. It’s a primitive adults-only spot not right for families with small kids. The crowd here tends to be quiet and respectful, far more so than the busier in-town springs.

How Crowded Does Little Hot Creek Get?

Less crowded than most Mammoth-area springs. The rough road keeps casual visitors away. Weekday mornings are the best window for solitude. The tub holds just a few people. Spots like Whitmore Hot Springs near town fill much faster on weekends.

Do You Need a High-Clearance Vehicle for Little Hot Creek?

High clearance is strongly recommended for the final 1.5 miles of dirt road. Four-wheel drive is not always required in dry conditions. Never drive in wet weather or snow. A standard sedan risks real damage on the washboard sections.

What’s the Water Temperature & Best Time to Visit Little Hot Creek?

The tub was around 110°F when I eased in hot enough to feel right away, not so hot I was watching the clock. The spring source runs much hotter but cools over 200 yards before reaching the tub. Temperatures shift between 105°F and 115°F depending on season and geothermal activity. Cold Sierra air on your shoulders while the water works that combination is what I keep coming back for.

Fall is my top pick. The air has a cold edge, crowds drop after Labor Day, and the heat registers differently because of it. Now let’s look at what’s worth doing while you’re in the area.

Things to Do Near Little Hot Creek Hot Springs

I always plan at least two days when I’m out this way. The soak is the reason I come, but the Eastern Sierra gives you a lot within an hour’s drive. Here’s what I’ve done and what I’d do again.

Yosemite National Park

Yosemite is 1.5 to 2 hours northwest via US-395 and CA-120. Entry costs $35 per vehicle. Rated 4.8 stars on Google Maps. I always budget a full day Yosemite Valley, Glacier Point, and the drive each earn your time. Pairs well with an early Little Hot Creek soak the day before.

Yosemite Falls

Yosemite Falls drops 2,425 feet across 3 tiers. The lower fall trail is 1 mile round-trip. The upper trail is 7.2 miles with real elevation gain. Rated 4.8 stars on Google Maps. Free with park entry. Best in spring when snowmelt is running and the falls are actually moving hard.

Inyo Craters

Two maar volcanic craters about 15 minutes from Mammoth Lakes. Free entry, 0.5-mile trail each way. Rated 4.5 stars on Google Maps. Two crater lakes sit at the bottom, formed when magma hit groundwater. Go slow. The geology here makes the whole Eastern Sierra corridor click into place.

Bodie State Historic Park

Gold rush ghost town about 75 miles north of Mammoth, then 13 miles east off US-395. Entry costs $8 per adult. Rated 4.8 stars on Google Maps. Over 200 original buildings no restoration, just frozen decay. I went in late afternoon and had to be told to leave. One of the most real places in California.

Devils Postpile National Monument

A 60-foot wall of columnar basalt about 20 minutes from Mammoth. Entry costs $10 per person via shuttle from Mammoth Mountain Main Lodge. Rated 4.7 stars on Google Maps. The 0.4-mile walk is easy the view from the top stays with you. For a broader loop, Travertine Hot Springs near Bridgeport pairs well.

After a day in the Eastern Sierra, you’ll want a solid base. Here’s where I’ve stayed and eaten.

Where to Stay & Eat Near Little Hot Creek

I base in Mammoth Lakes for every Eastern Sierra trip. It’s 12 miles from the spring, has everything I need, and keeps the road-trip feel intact. Before booking anything, I always cross-check options on CATRAVELTIMES.  I’ve put together stay guides specifically built around Hot springs access, so you’re never staying somewhere that adds unnecessary drive time to your soak day. Here’s what’s worth knowing. 

Hotels Near Little Hot Creek

The Westin Monache Resort, Mammoth

Slope-side at Mammoth Mountain, 14 miles from the spring. Rooms and suites. Rated 4.3 stars on Google Maps. Prices run $300–$600 per night. Mountain views from upper-floor rooms make it the right splurge option after a rough-road drive.

Mammoth Mountain Inn

At the ski area base, 13 miles from Little Hot Creek. Rated 4.0 stars on Google Maps. Rooms run $200–$400 per night. Standard rooms and suites. Easy access to Devils Postpile in summer solid base for the whole Eastern Sierra corridor.

Virginia Creek Settlement

About 35 miles north near Bridgeport. Rustic motel and campground, rated 4.4 stars on Google Maps. Rooms at $100–$150 per night. Quieter than Mammoth and close to Bodie — right pick if you’re splitting time between the spring and the ghost town.

Yosemite Valley Lodge

Inside Yosemite, roughly 2 hours from Little Hot Creek. Rated 4.1 stars on Google Maps. Rooms run $300–$500 per night. Best if you’re adding a full Yosemite day otherwise too far to commute back to the spring daily.

Travelodge by Wyndham Hawthorne

In Hawthorne, Nevada, about 1.5 hours from the spring. Rated 3.5 stars on Google Maps. Rooms at $80–$120 per night. Budget backup when Mammoth is fully booked not my first choice, but it works.

Restaurants Near Little Hot Creek

Dos Alas CubaRican Café & Lounge

Cuban-Puerto Rican café in Mammoth Lakes. Rated 4.6 stars on Google Maps. Price range $12–$25 per person. Hours vary check ahead. The menu is unlike anything else in town. Generous portions and worth every mile of the drive.

The Barn

American grill in Mammoth Lakes. Rated 4.2 stars on Google Maps. Price range $12–$22 per person. Burgers, sandwiches, solid mains. Reliable and unfussy exactly right after a long day on rough roads and hot water.

Balanced Rock Grill & Cantina

Mexican-American grill in Mammoth Lakes. Rated 4.1 stars on Google Maps. Price range $10–$20 per person. Open lunch and dinner most days. Good tacos, solid margaritas. The outdoor seating is worth asking for in summer.

Mono Cone

Soft-serve and quick bites in Mammoth Lakes. Rated 4.5 stars on Google Maps. Most items under $10. Cash-friendly and seasonal. I’ve stopped here after nearly every Mammoth trip soak first, Mono Cone after. It’s a ritual.

Virginia Creek Settlement Restaurant

American diner at the Virginia Creek motel near Bridgeport. Rated 4.4 stars on Google Maps. Price range $12–$25 per person. Breakfast through dinner. Natural stop if you’re heading north to Bodie after the soak.

What Are People Saying About Little Hot Creek?

Google reviews put Little Hot Creek at 1.4 stars that number is about unmet expectations, not the spring itself. Visitors who came prepared call it one of the quietest soaks in the Mammoth area.

Families note it’s not suitable for children given the clothing-optional setting. Solo travelers and couples consistently describe it as peaceful and worth the drive. If you’ve been to Wild Willy’s Hot Springs and want something quieter and more remote, this is it.

My Honest Take on Little Hot Creek

I showed up with no expectations and drove home still thinking about it two weeks later. The tub is concrete and knee-deep nothing fancy. But sitting at 7,000 feet inside a volcanic caldera, hot water up to your chest, nothing around you but open Sierra sky that’s a real thing.

Go if you want a primitive soak with no ceremony. Skip it if you need facilities or a crowd makes you feel safer. Fall is the right season cold air, thin crowds, and the heat hits differently. Bring everything you need because the land brings nothing. Leave it cleaner than you found it.

 Vanessa, CATRAVELTIMES

FAQs About Little Hot Creek Hot Springs

Where is Little Hot Creek located?

It’s 12 miles east of Mammoth Lakes inside the Long Valley Caldera. GPS: 37.6902°N, 118.8424°W. Take US-395 south, turn east on Benton Crossing Road, and follow it to the end of the paved section.

What is the water temperature at Little Hot Creek?

The tub runs 105°F to 115°F. The spring source emerges around 180°F and cools over 200 yards before reaching the concrete tub. Temperatures shift slightly by season and geothermal activity below ground.

Do you need a high-clearance vehicle?

Yes strongly recommended for the last 1.5 miles of dirt road. Four-wheel drive isn’t always required in dry conditions. Never attempt the road in wet weather or snow. Standard sedans risk real damage here.

Is Little Hot Creek clothing optional?

Yes. Nudity is common and accepted as local custom. It’s a primitive adults-only environment  not appropriate for families with young children. The crowd here tends to be quiet and respectful.

Can you camp at Little Hot Creek?

Camping is allowed but not at the tub itself. Set up a few hundred yards away. No facilities or trash removal on site. Pack everything in and pack it all out.

What is Little Hot Creek also known as?

It’s also called Siphon Hot Springs or the Siphon Tub local names used by regulars. The oval concrete tub is fed via a pipe from Little Hot Creek with a shutoff valve.