Deep Creek Hot Springs

Deep Creek Hot Springs, DCHS, are natural hot springs located in the northern Mojave Desert section of the San Bernardino National Forest, near Hesperia in San Bernardino County, Southern California.[1]

Deep Creek Hot Springs
LocationSan Bernardino County, California, USA
Nearest cityHesperia
Coordinates34°20′22″N 117°10′37″W
Governing bodySan Bernardino National Forest,
United States Forest Service
Deep Creek Hot Springs: the Upper Main Pool, fed by hot springs.

Geography

The springs are in the rain shadowed desert foothills of the San Bernardino Mountains on the Deep Creek fork of the Mojave River. They are in a large bouldered riparian zone, surrounded by a rich habitat ecotone of the xeric shrublands—desert chaparral, montane chaparral and woodlands, and conifer forest plant communities.[1]

The Southwestern Arroyo Toad—Bufo californicus, an endangered species, lives along Deep Creek.[1][2]

Recreation

Deep Creek Hot Springs, being located next to Deep Creek, provides both hot and cold water locations for clothing optional bathing. The site is managed by the San Bernardino National Forest[1] and is maintained by a volunteer group, the Deep Creek Volunteers.[3] Water from the creek or pools is not advised for consumption. The hot pools contain a rare and sometimes fatal disease called primary amoebic meningoencephalitis.[4] Very high fecal coliform counts are found in the hot springs as well.[4]

Hiking Trails

There are three main hiking routes to reach the Hot Springs.

  • Bowen Ranch / Freedom Trail - the shortest route at approximately two miles each way.[5]
  • Bradford Ridge Path - 2.6 mile one-way trip from the south.[6]
  • Pacific Crest Trail - the PCT goes through Deep Creek Hot Springs and can be reached from the Lake Arrowhead area, 6 miles each way.[7]

Regulations
Deep Creek Hot Springs in 2019

The Deep Creek Hot Springs regulations include:[1]

  • Closed to the public from sundown to sunrise
  • Public nudity is not permitted within 1/4 mile of 'T-6 crossing.' The T-6 crossing is located upstream from the steel bridge near Splinter's Cabin. This is actually 10 miles up stream from Deep Creek Hot Springs.[8]
  • No camping is permitted within 1-mile (1.6 km) of Deep Creek.
  • No fire, campfires or stoves allowed in the Deep Creek drainage basin.
  • No glass containers permitted within 1-mile (1.6 km) of Deep Creek
  • Pack out all refuse.
  • State designation Wild Trout Stream, the Deep Creek Wild Trout Area
    • Limit two fish. Must be eight inches (203 mm) or larger
    • Artificial Lures or Flies with barbless hooks only.

See also

References
  1. "San Bernardino National Forest, Deep Creek Hot Springs". Archived from the original on 2011-07-28. Retrieved 2010-06-10.
  2. "SDNHM - Arroyo Toad". San Diego Natural History Museum. Archived from the original on 2001-04-13. Retrieved 2011-10-22.
  3. "Welcome to Deep Creek Volunteers". www.deepcreekvolunteers.com. Retrieved 2019-06-06.
  4. "USDA - Deep Creek Hot Springs".
  5. "Directions to Deep Creek Hot Springs - DeepCreekVolunteers.com". www.deepcreekvolunteers.com. Retrieved 2019-06-06.
  6. "The Best Deep Creek Hot Springs Hike". HikingGuy.com. 2019-06-06. Retrieved 2019-06-06.
  7. "Deep Creek Hot Springs to PCT". AllTrails.com. Retrieved 2019-06-06.
  8. Discussion with Ranger - this is actually 10 miles up stream from Deep Creek Hot Springs.
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