Deep Creek Hot Springs Hike

5.6 miles - Moderate Effort
3 Hours (Total)
1,500 Total Feet of Climbing
Max Elevation of 4,370 feet
Leashed Dogs Allowed

Unlike the route from Bowen Ranch, this Deep Creek Hot Springs hike takes you on the free and less-traveled Bradford Ridge Path to the popular hot springs. The hike along the Bradford Ridge Path is a treat in itself, winding its way along lush valleys tucked into the pristine wilderness of San Bernardino National Forest until it joins the PCT, where you hike above Deep Creek. And then, of course, you arrive Deep Creek Hot Springs, a series of jacuzzi-temperature pools next to the river. The scene at Deep Creek Hot Springs can be interesting, to say the least, but plan your trip right and you can enjoy a beautiful hike and a nice soak without any craziness.

In this Guide:

Turn by Turn Directions & Video To Deep Creek Hot Springs
Free Trail or Pay Trail?
Deep Creek Hot Springs Trail Maps
How to Get to the Deep Creek Hot Springs Trail
How Safe Is the Water?

Quick Links:
Park Website - NOAA Weather Report - My Apr 2024 Gear

How to Get to Deep Creek Hot Springs

There are few ways to hike to Deep Creek Hot Springs, so don't just put "Deep Creek Hot Springs" in your GPS as you're likely to end up somewhere else. These directions will bring you to the Bradford Ridge Path trailhead. This trailhead is a bit easier to reach from most of LA and Orange County because you can come up through Arrowhead Lake; you don't need to go around the mountains as you do for Bowen Ranch.

Use this trailhead address:
Bradford Ridge Path / Deep Creek Trailhead, CA-173, Lake Arrowhead, California

Parking is limited to the side of the road, but there's a decent amount of shoulder within walkable distance to the trailhead. Just don't block the road and you'll be okay.

Deep Creek Hot Springs Directions 2 — There's parking on the side of the road and more spaces further up where the paved section of CA-173 ends. It does get full here, so you might have to walk a bit on the road if you can't find a spot close.

Deep Creek Hot Springs Directions 3 — Looks for this trail shortly before the gated end of the paved road. You'll have to climb over the guardrail. NOTE: Theodore V. reports that the sign is now gone, so keep your eyes open for the trail.

Trailhead Notes

There are no bathrooms at the trailhead.
Don't leave bags or electronics out in your car, hide everything. There are have been car break-ins.
If there is snow and ice, confirm that CA-173 is open before you leave.
You're fairly close to a gun range at the trailhead. Sometimes you'll hear gun shots during the beginning of the hike.

Why I Like Bradford Ridge Better Than Bowen Ranch

Party Guy At Deep Creek — If you want to do beer bongs and ludes, Bowen Ranch might be a better move for you. Photo losangelesswimmin

If you want to do the hike from Bowen Ranch, you certainly can. It's a shorter route and a bigger, easier to follow trail. I've done it in the past but I can say without a doubt the Bradford Ridge Path is much nicer and more of a "hike hike."

The Bowen Ranch route has a few downsides:

Cash only parking fee
Lots of crowds, including most of the people who come here to party
Closed at night
Trails are dirtier (including not-so-graceful bathroom leave-behinds)
The owner, Mike Castro, deals with a lot of jerks, and isn't always in the best mood

If you want to do the hike from Bowen Ranch, here's a guide.

If you choose to do the hike on Bradford Ridge Path, please treat the trail, land, and rules with respect. Don't turn this hike into a hot mess.

Gear For the Hike

Although close to Lake Arrowhead, this is a high-desert hike. It gets cold in the winter, hot in the summer (sometimes over 100F). Bring plenty of water (like 2-3L) and sunscreen. The route is totally exposed. Trekking poles help on the steep section of the hike. And of course, you'd be smart to pack in a bathing suit and towel if you want to hit the water.

Keep your eyes open for rattlesnakes on the ground too.

Gear That I Love Right Now

Nothing is sponsored or promoted, just the actual gear that I use.

Garmin InReach Mini 2If you are out of cellphone range the Mini 2 will reliably allow you to hit SOS via satellite. You can see my review here.

HOKA Speedgoat 5These are a great balance of comfort and performance. The high stack height leaves my feet feeling great after a hike.

Check out the complete list here.

Deep Springs Hot Springs Hike Brief

Slackline At Deep Creek Hot Springs — You might want to reconsider falling off the slack-line or jumping in the water after reading this section.

Wildlife

Deep Creek is the most biologically diverse drainage in all of San Bernardino National Forest. It's where the mountains meet the desert (and they meet Deep Creek), so there's lots of wildlife and vegetation.
Deep Creek is also designated as a Wild Trout Stream, and you can usually see them swimming around in the water.
Another resident of the area is the endangered Southwestern Arroyo Toad, which burrows in the sand during the day and comes out at night.

The Scene

The hot springs are clothing optional. If you're not comfortable around naked people, don't go.
Sometimes the idea of naked people attracts other more creepy naked people who like to take in the sights.
You can wear your bathing suit without a problem.
People come here to party as well. That means drinking and potentially drug use.
In the spring you'll get a decent amount of PCT through-hikers overnighting here.
A group of dedicated volunteers comes here regularly to care for the pools and clean up. Be a mensch and pack out trash.
I usually leave at sunrise to get to the springs early. I never have a problem with rowdy crowds then, just some folks enjoying the quiet. I highly recommend you do the hike this way to avoid any craziness.

Camping

You're not allowed to camp within 1 mile of Deep Creek Hot Springs, although people do. No open fires or stoves allowed. No glass containers within a mile.
People break these rules all the time. If you choose to break the rules, know that if a ranger finds you, you'll get a fine and have to hike out (possibly at night).
If you break the rules, pack your crap out, be respectful, and don't start a forest fire. Don't ruin this beautiful place please.

Dangers in the Water

Because of the popularity of Deep Creek Hot Springs, the fecal coliform counts in the hot springs are the highest measured in San Bernardino National Forest (told to me by a ranger). Don't get the water in your mouth if possible.
Oh, and there's a brain-eating amoeba, primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM). How it works is that the amoeba swims up your nose and eats your brain. The good news is that it's very rare. The bad news is that most cases are fatal. And a fatality has occurred after contracting it at Deep Creek Hot Springs. My advice is to enjoy the water without submerging your head.
Deep Creek can flood with heavy rains and snow melt.

Extreme Heat

When it's hot out, the wholly exposed nature of this hike can make it extremely dangerous. What is an easy hike in cooler temperatures can be deadly when temperatures are up. If you want to hike this when it's hot out, bring more water than you think and be prepared for the strength that the sun and heat will sap out of you.
Hikers who are not prepared for the heat must be routinely airlifted out from the valley around the creek. Don't put rescuers' lives in danger. Skip this hike in the heat, or make sure you are prepared to handle all the challenges.

Deep Creek Hot Springs Trail Map

Use This Map:
View in CalTopo | PDF Map | GPX File

How Will You Navigate?

Using the Apple Watch for Hiking

Garmin Fenix 7 & Epix Review For Hikers

How To Read a Topographic Map

Garmin GPSMAP 67i Review

Deep Creek Hot Springs Hike Elevation — The hike on the Bradford Ridge Path has you descending to Deep Creek in about 2.6 miles. Save energy for the climb back out, which is a tough uphill in the beginning and then a mellow up-and-down back to the trailhead.

Deep Creek Hot Springs Hike 3d Map — You can clearly see the steep descent at the end on this 3D view.

Deep Creek Hot Springs Hike Directions

Deep Creek Hot Springs Directions 4 — Look for the path on the side of the road past the guardrail. It's been reported that this sign isn't there anymore.

Deep Creek Hot Springs Directions 5 — Head through the gate and on the bigger trail that bends left and down.

Deep Creek Hot Springs Directions 6 — The trail is a bit sandy in the beginning but easy to follow.

Deep Creek Hot Springs Directions 7 — Soon the path follows Kinley Creek, which is on your left. In the spring the area is an explosion of colorful flowers and fauna; it's a great time to do the hike.

Deep Creek Hot Springs Directions 8 — Stay on the main trail. There are a few little side trails to viewpoints, but Bradford Ridge Path is generally easy to follow.

Deep Creek Hot Springs Directions 9 — After about a mile or so the trail starts winding away from Kinley Creek.

Deep Creek Junction — When you get to this junction, make the hard right and continue along the fence. The path straight is another gentler route down but has become a bit overgrown. Either way you take, you'll reach the PCT. Easier to follow, hike right, mellower downhill (less steep), go straight. If you go straight, make the right when you reach the junction at the PCT and you will join the guide a few steps later.

Deep Creek Hot Springs Directions 11 — Shortly after that junction you'll go through the opening in the fence. This starts the steep downhill section.

Deep Creek Hot Springs Directions 12 — There's a cool little tent site shortly after the gate.

Deep Creek Hot Springs Directions 13 — Now you have a steep downhill for a while. Have good footwear, take your time, and don't be scared to go down on your butt. I do it all the time.

Deep Creek Hot Springs Directions 14 — After the steep downhill you'll be in Family Canyon. Keep heading down.

Deep Creek Hot Springs Directions 15 — You made it to the PCT, almost there! Make the right toward Mexico on the PCT. If you accidentally make the left, it will take you to Canada.

Deep Creek Hot Springs Directions 16 — The PCT follows Deep Creek, which will be on your left.

Deep Creek Hot Springs Directions 17 — When you reach the intersection, bear left and go straight to the beach/water area, you're at the hot springs.

Deep Creek Hot Springs Sign — The big sandy area has a nice sign that folks grab selfies with.

Deep Creek Hot Springs Directions 21 — There's a small sandy area where some people camp, but they're not supposed to.

Deep Creek Hot Springs Directions 22 — Here you are, the hot springs. There's a hot spring right in front of you here, and there are some more scattered around the site.

Deep Creek Hot Pool Locations — Some of the pools are back to the left when you reach the creek. Some of the bigger ones are circled here in red. The springs vary in temperature but in general are like a jacuzzi (100-105F). You can also swim in the river which is generally cold. Again, leave early to avoid the crowds. It's not uncommon to have the pools be completely full with soakers.

That's it, you're at the hot springs. From here you just head back the way you came. You'll have to climb that steep hill, but once you clear that, it's pretty easy going back to the trailhead.

Need More Info?

Have a question about the guide or want to see what other people are saying/asking? View the Youtube comments for this video. Leave a comment and I will do my best to respond.
When planning, always check the park website and social media to make sure the trails are open. Similarly, check the weather and road conditions.

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This Guide Was Written by Cris Hazzard

Cris Hazzard 4 Mile Trail Yosemite
Hi, I'm Cris Hazzard, aka Hiking Guy, a professional outdoors guide, hiking expert, and author based in Southern California. I created this website to share all the great hikes I do with everyone else out there. This site is different because it gives detailed directions that even the beginning hiker can follow. I also share what hiking gear works and doesn't so you don't waste money. I don't do sponsored or promoted content; I share only the gear recommendations, hikes, and tips that I would with my family and friends. If you like the website and YouTube channel, please support these free guides (I couldn't do it without folks like you!). You can stay up to date with my new guides by following me on YouTube, Instagram, or by subscribing to my monthly newsletter.