The Inn at Benton Hot Springs, Mono County, CA Guide 2026
The Inn at Benton Hot Springs sits at 55137 Highway 120 in Benton, California, about 31 miles north of Bishop. This historic property offers rooms, cabins, house rentals, and 13 private hot tub campsites fed by mineral water that reaches the surface at 140°F.
Guests can browse more California travel guides on CATravelTimes before booking a stay. The Inn at Benton Hot Springs stays open year-round and welcomes campers, RV travelers, and overnight visitors seeking a quiet, remote soak.
What Is The Inn at Benton Hot Springs? Quick Details
The Inn at Benton Hot Springs began as a stopover for the mining town of Benton, which thrived between 1862 and 1889 as a supply center for nearby silver mines. The current Inn building, built from local pumice block, replaced an older hotel and was renovated in 1998.
The Inn at Benton Hot Springs sits on a 1,255-acre family-owned ranch, operating more than 95 years. Tub site entry starts at $95 nightly, water reaches 140°F at the source, and Tripadvisor rates the property 4 out of 5. Most visitors book summer and fall, though the springs stay open all year.
The Inn at Benton Hot Springs: Directions & Map
From Bishop, California, drive north on US-6 for about 34 miles, then turn left onto CA-120 West and continue 3.8 miles to reach the property at 55137 Highway 120, Benton, CA 93512 (GPS: 37.8008, -118.5282).
The final stretch is paved but narrow, with open range cattle sometimes crossing the road. Check road conditions before winter trips, since CA-120 near Mono Lake can close. Next, see what The Inn at Benton Hot Springs photos reveal about the property.
The Inn at Benton Hot Springs Photos – Scenic Views
The Inn at Benton Hot Springs photos capture steaming private tubs at sunrise, the pumice-block Inn building, antique-furnished rooms, the White Mountains backdrop, and star-filled night skies over the Dark Skies sites. Early morning and dusk offer the softest light.
These scenic details lead naturally into everything else worth knowing before booking.
Everything you need to know about The Inn at Benton Hot Springs
What Are The Inn at Benton Hot Springs Prices?
The Inn at Benton Hot Springs prices vary by site. Tub sites 1, 2, 3, 11, and 12 cost $95 nightly for double occupancy. Sites 4 through 10 and 13 cost $105 nightly for three guests. Dark Skies sites run $125 nightly, and extra guests cost $10 each.
Is There an RV Park or Campground at The Inn at Benton Hot Springs?
The Inn at Benton Hot Springs campground includes 13 hot tub sites plus 2 Dark Skies sites, each with a picnic table, fire pit, and private tub fed by the springs. Tents, campers, and RVs are welcome, though no hookups or dump station exist, so plan for dry camping only.
Is There a Benton Hot Springs Campsite Map PDF?
No downloadable Benton Hot Springs campsite map PDF is published on the official website. Guests receive a printed site layout at check-in, and staff can describe site locations by phone or email beforehand. Travelers exploring the wider region can also check the map for Travertine Hot Springs.
What Is the Hacienda House at Benton Hot Springs?
The Hacienda House at Benton Hot Springs is one of four private house rentals, alongside the Conway House, Hobbit House, and The Bungalow. It includes its own private hot tub fed by the springs, giving guests a full home rental instead of a shared tub site or Inn room.
What’s the Water Temperature & Best Time to Visit The Inn at Benton Hot Springs?
Water at The Inn at Benton Hot Springs rises from the ground at 140°F and flows into each private tub at about 800 gallons per minute. Staff and guests adjust temperature by adding hot or cool water and using sprinklers in summer. Soaking tubs settle between 100°F and 106°F. Guests can browse more soaks on CATravelTimes Hot springs destinations.
The tubs stay comfortable in every season, so the best time to visit depends mainly on crowd preference and stargazing goals.
Things to Do at The Inn at Benton Hot Springs
The Inn at Benton Hot Springs offers more than soaking. The surrounding ranch, historic townsite, and Eastern Sierra location put stargazing, hiking, and regional landmarks within easy reach for guests staying at the property.
Soak at the Private Hot Tub Sites
The Inn at Benton Hot Springs sites let guests soak privately at any hour. Each of the 13 tub sites has its own picnic table and fire pit on the 1,255-acre ranch, included free with a paid overnight stay.
Visit Benton Cemetery
Benton Cemetery holds the grave of Robert Morrison, a Benton merchant killed in 1871 while chasing escaped convicts near Convict Lake. The cemetery sits within walking distance of the Inn and offers a quiet look at the town’s mining-era history.
Walk the Historic Benton Townsite
Historic Benton Hot Springs, a local nonprofit, maintains a self-guided walking tour through the old mining town. The route covers original buildings and costs nothing to walk, making it an easy add-on to a soak.
Explore the 900-Acre Conservation Easement
The ranch’s 900-acre conservation easement borders the Inn and holds canyons, meadows, and ponds. Cattle, horses, mules, and even a few buffalo roam the land, and no entry fee applies for overnight guests.
Hike the Open Desert Land
There are no marked trails around The Inn at Benton Hot Springs, but the surrounding public land is high desert sagebrush with hundreds of miles of primitive roads. Hikers can wander freely at no cost.
Day Trip to the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest
The Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest, home to some of the oldest trees on Earth, sits within a scenic drive of Benton. Highly rated by visitors on Google Maps, the forest makes a popular half-day trip from the Inn.
Visit Laws Railroad Museum
Laws Railroad Museum near Bishop preserves a narrow-gauge rail depot and pioneer buildings on 11 acres. Admission is by donation, and the museum pairs well with a stop at Bishop Hot Springs on the same day.
Ride Into the Ansel Adams and John Muir Wilderness
Trailheads near June Lake, Mammoth Lakes, and Rock Creek reach the Ansel Adams and John Muir Wilderness areas about 45 minutes from the Inn. Guests can arrange day rides or overnight horse-pack trips through local outfitters.
These activities pair naturally with a comfortable place to stay and eat nearby.
Where to Stay & Eat Near The Inn at Benton Hot Springs?
Guests who want alternatives to camping at the Inn, or who need extra dining options, can look to nearby Bishop, about 31 miles south, or the small store in Benton itself.
Hotels Near The Inn at Benton Hot Springs
Wayfinder Bishop
Wayfinder Bishop, formerly Creekside Inn, sits at 725 N Main Street, 31 miles away. Queen and king rooms sleep up to four guests, rates run $137 to $160 nightly, rated 8.9 out of 10.
Comfort Inn Bishop
Comfort Inn Bishop at 805 N Main Street offers queen and king rooms for two to four guests, priced $114 to $145 nightly, 31 miles from the Inn, with an outdoor pool and hot tub.
Restaurants Near The Inn at Benton Hot Springs
Benton Station Cafe
Benton Station Cafe, an American diner at 25645 Highway 6 in Benton, sits about 3 miles from the Inn. Reviews run mixed near 3 out of 5, and it doubles as the local gas station.
Erick Schat’s Bakkery
Erick Schat’s Bakkery at 763 N Main Street in Bishop serves bread, pastries, and deli sandwiches from 6 a.m. daily, rated 4.5 out of 5, ranked Bishop’s top restaurant, 31 miles from the Inn.
What Are People Saying About The Inn at Benton Hot Springs?
Google and Tripadvisor reviews for The Inn at Benton Hot Springs average around 4 out of 5, with 129 Tripadvisor reviews and over 150 on Yelp.
Guests, including couples, solo travelers, and families, praise the private tubs, dark skies, and friendly staff, though some mention shared bathrooms and spotty wifi.
Final Thoughts on The Inn at Benton Hot Springs
The Inn at Benton Hot Springs suits travelers who want a remote, unplugged soak rather than a full-service resort. Couples and stargazers driving between Yosemite and Mammoth Lakes tend to enjoy it most; those needing reliable wifi or hookups should look elsewhere.
Book tub sites ahead for summer weekends, since availability is limited. Bring cash and warm layers for cool desert nights. Travelers continuing north can visit Buckeye Hot Springs near Bridgeport. For a quiet, historic soak, this Inn delivers.
FAQs About The Inn at Benton Hot Spring
Q. How much does it cost to visit The Inn at Benton Hot Springs?
A. Tub sites start at $95 per night for double occupancy. Rooms, cabins, and house rentals cost more and vary by season.
Q. Is The Inn at Benton Hot Springs pet friendly?
A. Yes. Pets must stay on a leash within the guest’s site, and a maximum of two pets per tub site is allowed.
Q. Are there RV hookups at The Inn at Benton Hot Springs?
A. No. Tub sites allow RV parking but offer no water, electric, or sewer hookups, and there is no dump station.
Q. Is clothing required at the hot tub sites?
A. Clothing is optional at all tub sites, though the property asks guests to use discretion.
Q. Is cell service available on-site?
A. Cell service is limited to none across most of the property, so guests should download maps and directions in advance.
Q. What is the cancellation policy?
A. House rentals require 7-day notice by 3 p.m., while Inn rooms and tub sites require 72-hour notice by 3 p.m. Late cancellations are charged in full.
Q. How far is The Inn at Benton Hot Springs from Bishop?
A. The property sits about 31 miles north of Bishop, roughly a 45-minute drive via US-6 and CA-120.
