Sierra Hot Springs

Sierra Hot Springs is a non-profit retreat center on Campbell Hot Springs Road outside Sierraville, California, where a forest meets the Sierra Valley. The operator says Indigenous peoples have long regarded the land as a sacred healing place and that it has hosted hot springs resorts for almost 150 years. The property covers more than 600 acres bordering National Forest land and is run by a group of resident workers. NOAA's thermal springs survey records the spring here, under its older name Campbell Hot Springs, at 111°F. The main pool area is the Temple Dome. Its Hot Pool runs 110-112°F inside a large geodesic dome with stained glass, skylights and two cold plunges. Outside are the large Warm Pool at 98-100°F, a sundeck and a dry sauna. The outdoor Meditation Pool, also 98-100°F, is ringed with rock tile, and you step down rock steps into it. The private Phoenix Baths run 95-96°F and are refilled with fresh water for each guest, which takes 20 to 30 minutes. All visits need an advance, prepaid reservation; the resort does not take drop-ins and is closed Mondays and Tuesdays. Day use runs Thursday through Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., at $35 per adult on Thursday and Friday and $40 on weekends and holidays, or $25 per child. Evening soak passes run Wednesday through Sunday from 4 to 11 p.m. at $35 or $40. At least one person in each party must hold a membership, which starts at $5 for 30 days and can be bought on arrival. Sierra and Harbin Hot Springs honor each other's memberships. Rooms in the Main Lodge and the Globe Hotel and campsites without hookups are also available. The pools, sauna, showers and decks are clothing-optional, and clothing is required everywhere else. Phones, electronic devices and cameras are not allowed in the pool areas. Alcohol, drugs and pets are not permitted, not even in vehicles. Children under 15 are kept out of the Hot Pool, the Meditation Pool and the sauna. From I-80 in Truckee, the operator's directions follow Highway 89 north about 30 minutes to Sierraville, then Highway 49, Lemon Canyon Road and Campbell Hot Springs Road to the Main Lodge.

Sources: sierrahotsprings.org (1), sierrahotsprings.org (2), sierrahotsprings.org (3), sierrahotsprings.org (4), sierrahotsprings.org (5), doi.pangaea.de

Sierra Hot Springs is in Sierraville, California, within a quarter mile of a drivable road. The operator framing on the operator's own site is a developed resort or spa. The temperature carried on this record is 111°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, food on-site, massage/spa and reservations required. Plan on clothing optional, on the operator's own site.