Keough's Hot Springs

Keough's Hot Springs is a spring-fed resort south of Bishop, California, not a pool that is only heated. The operator says the pools were built in 1919 and are still the same pools, and calls the large pool the largest natural hot springs pool in the Eastern Sierra. The spring, the operator says, flows from the ground at a scalding 123°F and about 600 gallons per minute, into a spray that falls like a waterfall into the large pool and cools that water. NOAA's Thermal Springs List records Keough Hot Springs at 124°F. The number on this page is that 124°F source reading. It is not the temperature of either pool. The large pool is 100 by 40 feet and from 3 feet to 8.5 feet deep, and the operator says it is kept at 88–90°F. The hot pool is 15 by 40 feet with an average depth of 2 feet, kept at 104°F. Both pools are free-flowing, with a constant flow of fresh mineral water, and they are emptied, cleaned, and refilled each week. The operator says the water contains 27 minerals and does not publish the list, so this page does not invent one. Dressing rooms and restrooms are provided. There is a snack bar with an indoor eating area, lounge chairs, and an outdoor picnic area. The operator does not publish a clothing rule. The homepage labels the schedule Winter Hours: Monday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Tuesday closed, Wednesday through Friday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. The pools page posts the same hours and says hours and rates are subject to change. It does not say those hours are only for winter. An adult day pass is $14. Ages 3–12 are $10. Age 2 and under is $5. A 10-swim adult pass is $110, a 10-swim child pass is $75, and a monthly pass is $100. Water aerobics is a separate $8 class, not the day rate. Parties over 10 people are asked to call (760) 872-4670. Camping is on site and is not included with a swim. The operator lists 10 water-and-electric sites with 30-amp service at $45 a night and dry sites at $40 a night, for up to 6 people and 1 vehicle, with an extra vehicle at $10. The maximum stay is two weeks. Generators are not permitted. Showers are $2 per guest. Swimming is not included in the camping rate. Rustic furnished tent cabins for two are $160 plus tax, which the operator totals at $179.20 a night, plus $30 plus tax for an extra person. That cabin rate includes two entries to the hot springs, shower tokens, towels, and one bundle of firewood. Camping and cabin reservations are by phone, and a reservation not canceled 48 hours ahead is charged one night. This listing is the resort pools. It is not a separate roadside ditch.

Sources: keoughshotsprings.com (1), keoughshotsprings.com (2), keoughshotsprings.com (3), doi.pangaea.de

Keough's Hot Springs (Bishop, 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. Per NOAA's thermal springs survey, the vent runs 124°F — scalding, not a casual soak. 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, showers and food on-site. Do not assume a clothing rule here; our file leaves it open.

Source: NOAA thermal springs survey — KEOUGH HOT SPRINGS, 124°F at the source. The operator says the spring leaves the ground at 123°F and about 600 gallons per minute. The hot pool is kept at 104°F and the large pool at 88–90°F.