Mono County, California
Little Hot Creek
Little Hot Creek is a natural geothermal stream in the Long Valley Caldera near Mammoth Lakes, California — a narrow channel of warm-to-hot water flowing through a high desert meadow, forming a series of pools where visitors soak in the current.
- Day use
- Geothermal
- River
About this place
Little Hot Creek is a natural geothermal stream in the Long Valley Caldera near Mammoth Lakes, California — a narrow channel of warm-to-hot water flowing through a high desert meadow, forming a series of pools where visitors soak in the current. Unlike the static pools at nearby Wild Willy's, Little Hot Creek has a flowing creek character: the temperature varies dramatically along the channel, from scalding at the source springs to comfortable soaking pools a short distance downstream.
The setting is Lower Eastern Sierra in character — sagebrush flats, volcanic ridgeline, no trees, wide views. The Inyo National Forest manages the area, and clothing-optional soaking has been the norm for decades. The creek is smaller and more intimate than the area's pool-style hot springs.
Access requires a dirt road and short walk, similar to Wild Willy's — the trailhead is off Benton Crossing Road south of Mammoth Lakes. Little Hot Creek and Wild Willy's are about 3 miles apart, making a circuit of the area practical for a day trip.
Visitor notes
Contributed by ClothingOptional.org Editorial Team
Who visits
Eastern Sierra hot springs visitors, Mammoth Lakes regulars who prefer the creek character to pool-style springs.
How to find it
Take Benton Crossing Road east from US 395 south of Mammoth Lakes. Look for the signed or described turnoff for Little Hot Creek. The area is off a dirt road; check road conditions in winter.
Things to watch out for
Test temperature carefully before entering — the geothermal source is very hot. The channel cools downstream; find the comfortable pool sections. No facilities. Thunderstorms develop rapidly in the Sierra in summer afternoons.
Last updated
Etiquette & ground rules
Clothing optional is standard. Leave no trace; this is a high-use area in a sensitive alpine-adjacent ecosystem.
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