High Sierra Nevada
Mono Hot Springs
Mono Hot Pools @ San Joaquin River
Sierra National Forest
Best of both worlds, way back in the boonies – two primitive tubs soaking perched on a soggy hill next to a big river, developed campground below, and a small resort w/ cabins, camping, restaurant and private soaking areas on the other side of the river.
15 mi. NE of Huntington Lake off Kaiser Pass Rd. Huntington Lake & Hwy. 168
Two squared cement tubs overlooking the San Joaquin River, deep in the Sierra Nevada Mountains.
The coolest thing about this primitive hot springs is that it is a great destination for a one day snowmobile adventure. Rentals are in the nearby community of Lakeshore & the plowed paths are fairly easy to follow. If you plan on visiting the springs, you must not play around in the meadow much, there is plenty great Sierra scenery to be had. The snomo trip is a good 5 hours round trip with a lunch break & dip at mineral spring tubs.
- backpacking
- boating
- camping
- cross country skiing
- fishing
- hiking
- horseback
- kayaking
- mountain biking
- mountaineering
- snow mobiling
- stargazing
- swimming

Winter: road is closed half the year due to heavy snow. Summer: snow is gone and the road is open.
KAISER PASS ROAD
Large motorhomes, RVs are not allowed on this long, steep, narrow paved route.
Max vehicle length: 25 feet
Take Hwy.168, turn right on Kaiser Pass Rd, just past the big ski resort. Pass the large meadow & follow signs to Mono Springs & Lake Edison. Make sure not to miss the left turn or you may end up at Florence Lake.
Parking near the green bridge over the San Joaquin River & hike over to the tubs on the hillsides. If there are other vehicles parked here, expect to see naked people nearby; Soaking should never be rushed. Clothing is optional – in California.
Mono Hot Springs Campground NFS
• Elevation: 6700′
• Number of Sites: 30
• Vehicle Accessibility: RV 25′
• Camp Fee: Yes
• Campsite Reservation: Yes
• Toilet: Vault
• Length of Stay: 14 Days
• Season: June – September
• Trailheads: Ansel Adams & John Muir Wilderness
NOTE: This USFS Campground, should not to be confused with the neighboring business, a privately run camp called –
Mono Hot Springs Cafe w/ Cabin Resort
closest forest, lakes, & destinations:
- Edison Lake
- Dinkey Lakes Wilderness
- Florence Lake
- Huntington Lake
- John Muir Wilderness
- Kaiser Wilderness
- Lakeshore
- Sierra National Forest
topo maps for this region:
- Dinkey Lakes Trail Map
- Dinkey Lakes Wilderness USDA
- John Muir Maps
- Kaiser Wilderness Map
- Sierra National Forest Map USDA
- Mono Divide (Tom Harrison Map)
- NatGeo Map Mammoth & Mono