Bring enough water if possible to clean up after soaking. If you visit during the winter, the roads may be completely impassable. Go about 2.5 miles until you cross 2 cattle guards (not including the initial guard at the turn). Closest Food/Gas: Mammoth Lakes, CA (13 miles) On a scale of 1 to 5, it is rated 4.5 (from sources around the web). Hot but not too hot. If you arrive in the early morning or on a weekday, youll have time to relax in the pools and experience the mountain views. Your GPS app., like Waze, will take you via an easy passable dirt road to the spring. On the left is the pool that is shaped like a heart! Wild Willy's Hot Springs are one of the popular destinations if you ever want to soak in the steamy Hot Springs of California. The sauna landscape is diverse, with sweating facilities ranging from a Finnish sauna (95 degrees) and steam bath (45 degrees) to a hamam (40 degrees) and a hot seat pool (34 degrees) to an archipelago sauna (90 degrees) and kiva (Indian sweat house, 85 degrees). RVs are allowed on the free campsites near the parking lot. OR.any other NATURAL hot springs that you would recommend anywhere near Fresno, Yosemite or Travertine ? I love it here! It can get very crowded during the summer, especially on weekends. Clothing Optional: Yes It is wise to keep your head out of the water as a precaution against infection. Do I have to pay at the gate to get to Mammoth Lakes hot springs? Located off of Highway 395 Wild Willy's hot springs (aka Crowley Hot Springs) boasts amazing views of the Eastern Sierra Nevada, all while soaking in a natural heart-shaped hot springs pool. The town is located along Highway 395, one of the most scenic drives Ive ever been on, from Death Valley, the lowest place in North America, to the stunning Alabama Hills and on to lovely Sierra Nevada mountains, home to the highest peak in the contiguous United States. Its a walk to get to, but the end result is a hot spring what feels like the middle of nowhere , its summer so we got there at 4 and it was already crowded so I suggest going early a.m the view of the mountains is awesome! ), My *Actual* Morning Routine: Aveo Contacts, Cats, Coffee + More. There is another undeveloped spring just to the north of it. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Input your search keywords and press Enter. You can easily submerge yourself in this pool and it comfortably fits two people. In this post, I will share all you need to know about Wild Willys Hot Springs site, including the good and the not-so-good. Camping: No on-site camping allowed, nearby options: Browns Owen River Campground, Convict Lake Campground Note, however, that Mammoth can get quite a bit of snow in the wintertime (did the whole ski resort town give that one away?). Yes, dogs are allowed at Wild Willys hot springs, but must be kept on a leash at all times. Hot pools like this have been known to harbour fatal microorganisms. Yes. Regardless of whether youre bringing your own car or renting one, Id highly recommend driving a high clearance vehicle to Wild Willys. What hotels are near Wild Willy's Hot Springs? Thanks. are the roads passable with snow or would it require 4 wheel drive and/or a hike in the winter? Even though I have traveled all over the world, I can never picture living anywhere else but Las Vegas. We visited the hot springs with our kids in the middle of the day and there were other families doing the same. In this case, you have to park your car by the road and hike through the snow to the hot springs. While the trail is flat and should be accessible to most people, it involves some stairs at the end, so is likely not wheelchair accessible. If you prefer the four walls of a room and cozy beds instead of camping outdoors, then there are lots of options to choose from. Its not fair to other people trying to go there. WILD WILLY'S HOT SPRING - 315 Photos & 145 Reviews - Yelp A few gallons in the boot of your car will be enough until you get a proper shower. There is no fee attached to the entry or use of the hot springs. Most of the drive is on US HWY 395 which is completely paved. Travertine Hot Springs: The details behind the photos. We got soaked! Whitmore Hot Springs is a collective name for the group of Hot springs found in the Mammoth Lakes Area. 6. Wild Willy's Hot Springs: 118 Reviews, Map - California | AllTrails Look for Benton Crossing Road which is marked with a faded green church. The crowds will be much smaller and make for a more enjoyable visit during the week. We now help over 2 million people each year to travel, hike and photograph their bucket list destinations. The walk is easy and short. You will also find a drop toilet in the parking lot so be sure to do your business before you visit. Our mission is to share the travel tips & tricks we learn along the way with our 1.5 million annual readers providing advice to make travel more accessible for everyone. On the right will be a cattle gate and a dirt road. Fee: None Wild Willys Hot Spring California. Whimsy Soul is a lifestyle website founded by Kara Harms. People will bring beer and wine down to the water and watch the sunset over the mountains while soaking in the hot springs. We would recommend staying in Mammoth Lakes if you are driving to Yosemite National Park from Las Vegas, Death Valley or anywhere else Southeast of the park. The views are amazing and the water inviting.what is not to love." Between October and April, temperatures frequently drop to freezing. In this post, you will find useful . Continue on this road until you reach a small parking lot which serves as the entrance to the hot springs. Each is nestled perfectly into . Take advantage of our exclusive30 day free trial of The Dyrt PROto find a spot nearby or snag a reservation at sold out campgrounds with Dyrt Alerts. WILD WILLY'S HOT SPRING - $ - 305 Photos & 143 Reviews - Yelp Unlike many of the other hot springs in the area, which are man made tubs fed by pipes originating at a geothermal source, Wild Willys is composed of natural hot spring pools. Dogs are allowed but endeavor to keep them out of the soaking pool and on a leash. Doing the opposite is fine as long as highway 120 is not closed. Mammoth Yosemite Airport is a very small airport nearby but we would recommend a bigger hub. The larger pool is the main draw being deeper and and able to hold a handful of people comfortably, while the smaller pool is slightly warmer and shallower, and pretty much maxed out with two soakers. Wild Willys hot spring is about 20 miles east of Mammoth Lakes and about 40 miles north of Bishop. Map Quad: n/a Wild Willys Hot Springs pools do not have any hot water pipes. at the third cattle crossing. These natural, undeveloped soaking tubs are surrounded on all sides by a postcard-worthy landscape called the Sierra Nevada, a picturesque mountain range in the Western United States. The area is undeveloped public land, and there are no amenities, bathrooms, or trash cans, so you should take out your trash and stay in another nearby campground or hotel listed below. Sunset photos will be punchier and more dynamic. You arent allowed to light fires in this area and there are no trash cans around. From the parking area, you will find a wooden path. The elevated trail is about 0.25 miles (0.4 kilometers) long and should take about 10 minutes of walking. Expect to see people coming and going throughout the day. Wild Willys Hot Springs is located about 20-minute away from Mammoth Lakes, off US Highway 395. You wont get lost following the wooden boardwalk to the hot springs. The water is not as hot as in other hot springs. The hot springs are still warm in the winter, but roads may be closed due to snow. Turn left onto Benton Road Crossing and drive for about 1.1 miles. If nude bathers will make you uncomfortable, you may want to consider skipping this area. As a result, the best time to visit Wild Willys is between late May to early October. However, keep in mind clothing is optional so you will likely experience both clothed and nude bathers. The cattle gate that leads to the dirt road and the parking lot is usually closed in winter when there is too much snow. Wild Willy's hot spring is awesome. Thank you for this great post, and helpful information. Volunteers and visitors maintain the tubs, which are free to use. The hot springs will also be mostly empty minus a stray nude soaker or fellow early bird. There are two pools. Is the Wild Will's Hot springs closed at night - what are the operating hours? Wild Willy's Hot Springs - The Complete Guide - Whimsy Soul We dont recommend this road in the winter or with a low-profile car. Sometimes you have to wait to get your turn to use the soaking tub here. If you take this trip during winter, the road leading to the hot springs parking lot might be closed. This is a wonderful little hot spring out in the middle of nowhere. Head East out of town on the 395. Our second trip wasnt as pretty due to the Creek Fire but enjoyable either way. You may find cows freely grazing in the area or near the pools. To access Hilltop Hot Springs, follow the U.S. HWY 395 South from Mammoth or US Highway 395 North from Bishop. Drive 300 miles northeast of Los Angeles or 330 miles southeast of San Francisco to the 395 highway (395 North from Ridgecrest and 395 South from South Lake Tahoe) to get to these hot springs. During high use periods, the water may become polluted by human or organic matter. Crowley Hot Springs is one of the many popular soaking sites near the town of Mammoth Lakes. The tubs are large enough to fit approximately 30 people. Free camping is permitted at Wild Willys Hot Springs because it is situated on the. But it's a amazing to have wild hot spring among the big mountains. I recommend taking a picnic. Along with Crab Cooker hot spring, Wild Willys is one of the most popular hot springs near Mammoth Lakes. Found at the end of a seemingly out of place boardwalk, Wild Willy's (also known as Crowley Hot Springs) is made up of two hot spring pools surrounded by a dramatic backdrop - the eastern escarpment of the Sierra Nevada to the west and the Glass Mountain Ridge to the east. I will also share other alternatives to Wild Wills Hot Springs just in case you arrive when the site is too crowded for your liking. Take a right turn to follow the road and travel for about 3 miles until you reach a yellow crossing sign (or second guard) for cattle. You can probably find me hunting down hot springs with girlfriends, kayaking, cooking with my husband, petting strangers' dogs or watching like, all the things on Netflix. Wild Willy's Hot Spring: Best Natural Hot Spring Near Mammoth Lakes document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Hi! too many people there. This gorgeous spot is a must-see if youre on a California road trip or simply exploring Mammoth Lakes. Because this hot spring is easily accessible, it can become extremely crowded. So if you have the option to choose, go with a 4WD. Quanto tempo de Mammoth Mountain at esta atrao? If you click on one, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. A note on getting to the parking lot- in our experience (whether you put in the location of the hot springs or the parking lot), the Google Maps application will helpfully take you down that aforementioned bumpy gravel road and, when the road diverges here, it will tell you to take the road to the right. The tub is small and can only seat about 5 persons at a time. You can see yellow leaves there. Shephard Hot Springs is a busy site. The Before you go sections are essential so pay attention. WILD WILLY'S HOT SPRING - 315 Photos & 145 Reviews - Yelp You will know this when you see the green church. Tucked away in the Eastern Sierras, you'll see why this place is a must visit. A soaking pool with a lot of algae provides a favorable environment for bacterial growth. If you want information on the other two hot springs near Wild Willys, read this post! The durable nylon fabric and plenty of pockets make it easy to carry my phone, sunscreen and car keys while I run down to the hot springs! If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. The . They all share the same geothermal system. The larger pool at the end of the boardwalk has a lower temperature of about 96F and it can accommodate about 15 people at a time. Wild Willy's Hot Springs . The creek is fairly shallow, such that soakers generally have to sit along the bottom to enjoy its perfectly warm waters. Do not splash in the pools. While theres a tiny airport in Mammoth (Mammoth Yosemite Airport), Id recommend flying into a bigger airport to get a more reasonable price on airfare. What is the rating of Wild Willys Hot Springs? There is no shower or stream nearby where you can rinse off after soaking. By Monique Cordier May 6, 2021. This means that when you emerge from the hot soaking tubs, you will be immediately exposed to very low temperatures. Yes. Wild Willy's Hot Springs: Is it worth a visit? - GUiDEDNOW The walk down is about a fourth of a mile and easy though there are some stairs towards the bottom, so you cant easily take a wagon or wheelchair. Natural Hot Springs Pools Wild Willy's Hot Spring near Mammoth Lakes, Cali. You should definitely add Wild Willys to your California bucket list just for the gorgeous scenery alone. There is NO motor vehicles off the dirt roads leading to the parking areas. We quit corporate America to run Uprooted Traveler and explore the world full-time. If you visit during the summer, not only do you run the chance of sharing the hot springs with many other people, but the temperature may be too warm to fully enjoy a soak. Its a great time to meet other people and it turns into a party! Yes. Here are the best hotels by guest rating, price and location in Mammoth Lakes: Want more in depth hotel options?Read our comprehensive guide on the 10 best hotels in Mammoth Lakes CA on our hotels site Best Hotels Anywhere. As mentioned above, Wild Willys boasts both a hot creek and a separate heart-shaped pool for visitors to enjoy. 97% of travelers recommend this experience. . In the vicinity of the hot springs, cell phone reception is available, though signal quality varies as you move away from the parking lot. Situated about five miles from Mammoth Lakes, Wild Willy's Hot Springs (also known as Crowley Hot Springs) is the perfect escape from civilization. Try printing the photo in large format and youve got yourself a stunning nature wallpaper with you in the midst! Thinking of heading to Wild Willy's Hot Springs from Yosemite Natl Park or Fresno either on a Saturday (Oct 19) or a Sunday (Oct 20). The parking lot is actually down the road to the left (the road to the right is usually gated off anyway!). Welcome to Wild Willy's Hot Springs - a heart shaped spring surrounded by mountains near Mammoth Lakes. Its about nourishment and learning. Wild Willy's Hot Springs are thermal soaking pools in the middle of a desert meadow, some 20 minutes drive from downtown Mammoth Lakes. The springs are shallow, and they vary in temperature. Improve this listing Full view All photos (24) Top ways to experience nearby attractions Rock Climbing Half-Day in Mammoth Lakes, California 81 Recommended Climbing The site is clothing-optional and there may be nudity. The water flow in the soaking pool is low which means that during high use, the water may become polluted by human or organic matter. Wild Willy's Hot Spring in Mammoth Lakes - Uprooted Traveler The tubs are shallow, just about 3 feet deep and if you arrive early before the crowd, your kids will enjoy it. Change in the car before walking down. There are two hot springs, ranging in temperature from 95F to 105F degrees. Explore camper reviews and photos of the campgrounds in Wild Willy's Hot Springs. I saw some RVs and trailers over there when I visited so you should be fine!! document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Add a header to begin generating the table of contents, Location: 37 39' 39.7296'' N 118 46' 3.954'' W. This is the place to be if you want to soak in a naturally occurring and mineral-rich hot spring pool in a beautiful and easy-to-access location. Required fields are marked *. Hotels near Devils Postpile National Monument, Things to do near Wild Willy's Hot Springs, Boat Tours & Water Sports in Mammoth Lakes, 4WD, ATV & Off-Road Tours in Mammoth Lakes, Adrenaline & Extreme Tours in Mammoth Lakes, Fishing Charters & Tours in Mammoth Lakes, Canyoning & Rappelling Tours in Mammoth Lakes, Game & Entertainment Centers in Mammoth Lakes, Devils Postpile National Monument: Tickets & Tours, Black Tie Ski Rentals of Mammoth: Tickets & Tours, Wadi Rum Camel Trek Adventure | Wadi Rum Desert, History and Movie Tour of Beaufort by Golf Cart, Rome: Crypts and Roman Catacombs Guided Tour with Coach Transfers, Go City: Los Angeles Explorer Pass - Choose any 2, 3, 4, 5 or 7 Attractions, Discover Nassau Sightseeing Tour plus Atlantis Resort Visit, Landing Everest Base Camp by Helicopter Day Tour from Katmandu, View all hotels near Wild Willy's Hot Springs on Tripadvisor, View all restaurants near Wild Willy's Hot Springs on Tripadvisor. Retain posting. Note that open fires are not allowed. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Land: BLM If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. What is the best time to visit Wild Willys Hot Springs? I'm a type 3 enneagram cat lady who lives in San Francisco and loves to find everyday magic to share with others. Continue on this road for about 2 miles and you will get to a parking area. One of the best parts about Wild Willys hot springs is plenty of room for many groups to enjoy the beautiful scenery. 140 reviews of Wild Willy's Hot Spring "A warm hot spring in the middle of nowhere to escape everybody and everything. Its about building relationships with the outdoors and each other. The springs are free to access but require making a bumpy drive over this undeveloped, potholed dirt road that closes when it snows. I stumbled across Wild Willys Hot Springs in Mammoth Lakes on Instagram and finally after months of putting off a visit, grabbed the girls and headed into the mountains for a camping trip to see the hot springs in person! I wouldnt recommend camping unless its the end of the summer because the mountain temps drop below freezing in the spring. You should experience this place. One of them really is shaped like a heart! One feature that makes this soaking pool different from the other Mammoth Lakes hot springs pools is the availability of control valves that can be used to adjust the water temperature. Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of 12 min to complete. Been there sone that is an understatement 4myself Yet I havnt been 2this wonderful nature of beauty..??? Deep Creek Hot Springs: Know this before that trip. Summer is a popular time to visit the Eastern Sierras with the hiking trails free from snow, but word of warning- its often too hot to enjoy the springs during the day and while theyre pleasant to soak in at twilight or in the evening, the mosquitoes can be pretty bad. Thank you again all the inofrmatio and directions (: Receive occasional California hot springs access, condition and news updates. The beauty of this cluster of hot springs in the same area is that if one of the sites is congested, you can easily turn around and drive to another. There are two pools of warm-to-hot spring water. Sandals that can get wet and dirty with clay. This valve controls the amount of hot water flowing into the pool. Visit Wild Willy's Hot Springs - Near Mammoth Lakes - Magnificent World The Dyrt Alerts. The accommodations market kind of reflects that- either you have mountain lodges from the 1950s with rustic charm or more modern and upscale hotels- with more expensive rates. Wild Willy's Hot Springs (Mammoth Lakes) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go. Only 13 miles outside the touristy city of Mammoth Lakes sit Wild Willys Hot Spring. Its about a 10-minute drive to the springs and totally worth the $30 a night to camp in order to have heated bathrooms with showers and use of a fire pit. From highway 395, exit on Benton Crossing Road near the Mammoth Yosemite Airport; if youre traveling south, its just after the airport, and if youre traveling north, its just before. This little trek from the parking lot gives you the opportunity to take in the beauty of the landscape as you approach the soaking pools. Here you can see snow mountains all around you. 16 Top Natural Hot Springs in California - U.S. News Travel Shutterstock UK holiday park operator Parkdean Resorts published a ranking of the "most Instagrammable" hot springs in the world. Thank you for reading our post! This place is incredibly beautiful, and the thermal pools are the highlight. Lets take a look at some frequently asked questions regarding Wild Willys hot springs. Crowley Hot Springs (Wild Willy's) | Eastern California Are there hotels around Wild Willys Hot Springs? Stay Connected Learn More Submitted. I saw someone ride a motorcycle to the pools, which is a NO GO!. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. Thanks for your help! Wild Willy's (Crowley) Hot Springs - Mammoth Lakes, California WILD WILLY'S HOT SPRING - 306 Photos & 143 Reviews - Hwy 395 Benton Crossing Rd, Mammoth Lakes, California, United States - Hot Springs - Yelp Wild Willy's Hot Spring 143 reviews Unclaimed $ Hot Springs Edit See all 308 photos Beauty & Spas Hot Springs Wild Willy's Hot Spring Write a review Add photo The smaller pool only can host a few people, but is much more relaxed and peaceful. Wild Willy's Hot Spring is a natural, heart-shaped hot spring pool in the Eastern Sierras near Mammoth Lakes, California. WILD WILLY'S HOT SPRING - 301 Photos & 140 Reviews - Yelp Use the boardwalk from the entrance to the hot springs. Hilltop Hot Springs (aka Pulkeys Pool) is an undeveloped natural hot springs site located about 16 minutes from Mammoth Lakes off U.S. HWY 395. Try taking a wide-angle and distant shot of yourself standing in the meadow with the Sierra mountains as a backdrop at sunset or sunrise. When we were there, it was not too crowded. The lot is so small and those will take up so much room. Pros To Visiting Wild Willys Hot Spring: Cons To Visiting Wild Willys Hot Spring: Our Best Advice For Visiting Wild Willys: Need a campground in Northern California? I believe it won't have much snow before November because the day time is still warmer than the freezing point. Sebastian Kneipp, a 19th-Century priest and one of the founders of the naturopathic medicine movement, made his home there. Therme Erding near Munich. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Regardless of which airport you fly into, Wild Willys is located in a pretty remote area so you will need a rental car to get to the springs and around Mammoth. check this website for the yellow leaves information. Nearby: Benton, Buckeye, Travertine Thank you for supporting the free content we provide! But if you plan to camp in this area, please be respectful. Keep driving until you get to the green church. All rights reserved. When heading north on the 395, you'll make a right onto Benton Crossing Road. Wild Willy's Hot Springs Mammoth, California [Crowley Hot Springs] Deep in The Sierras are a cluster of natural hot springs that you can take a soak in. Sign up to receive our newsletter packed with the best adventure guides, travel ideas, news, and articles. These hot springs were easy to locate with a parking lot and clearly marked trail. Restaurants near Wild Willy's Hot Springs: 100% of travelers recommend this experience. Or you can disperse camp, which we will cover in the next FAQ section. Found at the end of a seemingly out of place boardwalk, Wild Willy's(also known as Crowley Hot Springs) is made up of twohot spring pools surrounded by a dramatic backdrop - the eastern escarpment of the Sierra Nevada to the west and the Glass Mountain Ridge to the east. We loved this spring and the area. You can camp in the parking lot or the surrounding meadow. The little ones dig in the sandpit, swing, slide or swim in the children's pool. Id give the slight edge to sunrise as youre more likely to have the springs to yourself, but if you dont care about having other folks in your photos and are into drinking brews with some bros, sunset cant be beat.