The One California Hot Springs Campground Everyone Should Visit In 2026

Have you ever felt like the world was a million miles away as you melted into the warm, mineral-rich waters of rustic hot springs? Soaking in hot springs isn't just a treat — it can be a natural boost for your body and mind. These often free-to-visit geothermal wonders have many health benefits and can improve circulation by expanding blood vessels, easing blood flow, and delivering more oxygen to your tissues. They also help reduce pain from sore muscles or joints, thanks to the heat that soothes inflammation and promotes relaxation. 

They also provide a detox effect from sweating out toxins. You might even notice clearer skin on top of less stress. Being outdoors ramps up these benefits by connecting you with nature and bringing in a deeper sense of peace. If you're planning a rejuvenating escape for 2026, Mono Hot Springs Campground in California's Sierra National Forest should be at the top of your list. This California town with hot springs stands out for its uber-remote and rustic feel, blending wilderness and deep relaxation for the perfect place to unplug. 

Mono Hot Springs Campground is found 6,700 feet up along the South Fork of the San Joaquin River. It's about three hours from Fresno or four from Yosemite Valley. From the highway, it's a twisty and narrow 17-mile mountain road up and over Kaiser Pass at 9,200 feet. The journey adds to the magic, as not many dare to tackle this challenge. The road typically opens around Memorial Day weekend and closes by late October, weather permitting. Once there, the isolation feels like a secret haven, inviting visitors to recharge in the pools, tucked under the towering lodgepole pines and aspen groves. 

Mono Lake Hot Springs feels like Mother Nature's own spa. Legend has it that the people of the Mono tribe shared these spots with early settlers for relief from arthritis and other aches and pains, highlighting their longterm use for healing. Here, visitors can get the best of both worlds: raw and unpolished natural pools along the river, alongside the more curated options at the adjacent resort. The natural pools scatter across the south bank of the San Joaquin, numbering to about a dozen in all. Old Pedro is a scorching 106-107 degrees in a cement-lined pool from the 1930s bathhouse that once stood here. It's best for short soaks and loosening tight muscles. 

Nearby Reed Pools offers a milder temperature and is great for warmer days. The Rock Garden pool hovers around 104 degrees and is great for larger groups, and the maidenhair ferns that cascade into the pool are a beautiful visual. Mud baths are best for sunrises and sunsets. With a cooler temperature, it's great for those that want to DIY facials with the clay that lines the pool. These untamed spots let visitors connect intimately with the geothermal energy tied to the tectonic forces below.

For those keen on a luxurious hot spring experience in California, head to their bathhouses, where pure mineral water is piped into private tubs that range from 100 to 104 degrees. Choose from the claw-foot cast iron for a vintage soak or a deeper tiled pool. The outdoor spa overlooks the 12,000-foot Mt. Hooper for a curated feel that is still close to nature.

Mono Hot Springs Campground can feel like a hidden retreat that is separate from modernity. The calm springs and pine-scented air invite true escape. Reservations begin 6 months ahead of time, in January, and they fill early, so snag your spots on Recreation.gov early. The layout splits into two campgrounds separated by the resort, nestled in aspen and lodgepole pines for a classic Sierra Nevada feel. Each site comes with a picnic table, grill, and a bear-proof food storage locker — but don't forget these five camping essentials you'll wish you brought more of. Vaulted toilets are on site. During the summer months, the ranger-led interpretive programs run Friday nights, and guests can learn about local history and ecology. The lack of cell service gives visitors the chance to truly connect with nature and those around them.

Visitors rave about the immersion into wilderness here. Fishing is popular, alongside mountain biking, hiking, or birding. The Ansel Adams and John Muir Wilderness areas are close at hand and truly untamed. The campground is a great jumping-off point for trips to Edison Lake, great for water sports, or Devil's Table, a hike to an interesting rock formation.

If tent camping isn't your style, the historic resort offers rustic cabins complete with fireplaces, couches, full kitchens, and flush toilets. You won't find any TVs or phones, just pure stillness since 1935. The onsite cafe serves up delicious meals, and the resort also offers spa services. With a rowdy pass required for admittance, this hot spring might be less crowded than others; get there before reservations fill up!