Benton Hot Springs

Benton Hot Springs is a family-owned ranch and inn in the historic mining town of Benton in Mono County, California, where natural mineral water rises to the surface at about 140°F, according to the operator. NOAA's thermal springs list records Benton Hot Springs at 134°F. The operator describes a 1,255-acre ranch that the family has run for more than 95 years, with seven rooms at the Inn, a historic miner's cabin, four houses with private hot tubs, and private tub sites for overnight use. The Inn is in a 1940s block building made with local pumice and was renovated in 1998. This is an overnight-only soak: the operator says it does not offer hourly or day use of any of its hot tubs. Each tub site has a private tub fed by the natural hot springs, a picnic table and a charcoal grill, and you can pitch a tent or park a camper or RV there, without hookups. Tub temperature is adjusted by changing how much hot water flows in, and sprinklers cool the water in warm weather. Foliage, cottonwood trees and privacy fences separate the bathing areas, where clothing is optional and discretion is required. Site 13 has handrails and a ramp and is held for guests with mobility needs until 30 days before arrival. The homepage counts 15 tub sites, while the hot tub page describes 13, and the homepage also offers an Airstream rental with tub site 14. Posted tub-site rates are $95 a night for sites 1, 2, 3, 11 and 12, for two people, and $105 for sites 4 through 10 and 13, for three people, plus $10 for each additional person. Check-in is 3 p.m. and checkout is 11 a.m., with a $100 late-departure fee. Tub sites and Inn rooms carry a 72-hour cancellation policy. Leashed pets are welcome, up to two per site. Generators may run only from 8 to 10 a.m. and 5 to 7 p.m., and music and loud noise are not allowed. New individual flush restrooms serve the tub sites.

Sources: bentonhotsprings.us (1), bentonhotsprings.us (2), doi.pangaea.de

Benton Hot Springs (California) is snap-mapped within a quarter mile of car access, sedan / 2wd. The operator framing on the operator's own site is a developed resort or spa. The listed water temperature is 140°F. Entry falls in the $$$ price band, camping on site is confirmed on the operator's own site and amenities on file include lodging on-site, restrooms, pet friendly and reservations required. Plan on clothing optional, on the operator's own site.