Holtville Hot Springs - Holtville, California

Big Foot

Place is DISGUSTING. Stopped in Dec/24 to soak but OMG and HELL NO with tons of a green slimey algae growing on EVERYTHING. Each step is a risk. Soaking areas are so thick with it. Can't believe some people actually soak in it, chunks of scum and slime floating all around them. Saw some idiot washing his dog in it.
NOT WHAT IT USED TO BE. Is worse now than the water hole in Slab City.
Thought the review saying there was flesh eating bacteria in it was a joke, I sure DON'T doubt it now after seeing the condition of this slime dump.
DON'T WASTE YOUR TIME

Rob Marshall

What an interesting place! There is a large cooler temperature pond surrounded by palm trees that is about unheated pool temperature. It’s nice for cooling if it’s hot outside. Upstream from there are two concrete tubs for soaking in very hot water and a shower type pipe spraying water. All of this is just 200 feet from the side of the interstate so it is a little loud but still nice.

Timothy Paynter

A magical hot spring near the long term visitors area. (LTVA). The free camping across the highway was inaccessible because of thick mud. You smell like urine when you get out. There is a toilet at the top of the hill but no one uses it to pee.

The oasis formed from spring runoff was torched by local delinquents a few years ago but is coming back. The spring has suffered many acts of vandalism.

Spring closes at midnight. If you are a single minute late the local constabulary will cite you if they find you inside the cable marking the boundaries.

Nudity and sexual activity can lead to serious legal consequences. The local enforcement takes these things very seriously.

Cleaning is Tuesday morning currently means the water is drained once a week until April and the spring is closed during cleaning.

If you go please shower first in the provided shower. Follow the rules set by BLM.

Rheanna Hensen

Was an interesting experience; two cement pools next to a sprinkler, seemingly pumping straight from a geothermal underground area. The natural occurring pond was much cooler but we had been told that there were critters, and we weren't interested in testing that. Arrived around 1pm. Didn't go all the way in to the cement pools, as we weren't too keen on soaking with the algae, but we stuck our feet & lower legs in. It was very hot but it was also breezy, so it was nice. There were only 2 other people there when we arrived and they left within 20 mins of us being there. Bathrooms were at least free of trash or an odor, but I wouldn't call them clean. They were also not running water bathrooms, but closer to a port-a-potty enclosed within a building. One of them was also locked, and the open one had no toilet paper.
Would potentially visit again, but only if already in the area.

The camping spot across the road was very nice & clean, perfect sized for large rigs for overlanding folk. And although it's only a short distance from the highway, it was quiet and felt safe.

Eric Jakubowski

Thank you camp hosts and BLM for keeping this place open to the weary traveler.
As indicated by the name, there is usually good physical evidence that this is the fabled fountain of youth. I would advise against drinking the water however, cause you never know.

mario abrego

Very nice place to relax and take a break from long commute. Clean bathrooms. Free parking. Water is hot and continously flowing.

Blaise “Mr Meowington III” Sewell

Very quiet and relaxing pools built around hot springs. Has vault bathrooms to change in and a cool little lagoon. The locals keep changing the location on Google so look up BLM hot springs LTVA and go to that location. Pools are hot but nothing much worse than a got tub. Big sprinkler provides cool water in relief.

Frederick Pings

<<>>>*
Drained and cleaned tanks today. They installed a temporary soaking tank so just get in line and enjoy the palm trees that have recovered from the fire rather nicely.

Love the place, everytime I drive by I stop. Unfortunately fire recently took a bit of the beauty away, hopefully the trees will recover.
Litter not a problem, which was nice to see.
Also, the water seems to be potable as locals often come by and fill containers from the tap. Haven't seen any analysis of mineral content, so drink at your own risk.
I did notice however, to my great surprise, that they do not require clothes, just be non offensive to other users. I suppose since it is on Federal land, and there us no law banning simple nudity, it's good to go.
Just politely ask other users of they would mind.
Or at least remove suits once in water.
Wonderful!