Are There Hot SpringsWhat is Remington Hot Springs?
Remington Hot Springs is a free, undeveloped hot spring on the Kern River in Sequoia National Forest, about 42 miles east of Bakersfield in Kern County, California. Water at 80–115°F runs from the hillside into three rock-and-cement tubs at the river's edge and a smaller tub about 50 feet above them.
There is no fee, reservation or staff. You park at a dirt pullout on Old Kern Canyon Road and walk about a quarter mile down a steep trail. Volunteers known as the Kern River Hot Springs Angels built and clean the tubs, and the Forest Service manages the land.
Are there hot springs in Lake Isabella?
Not in town, but Remington is the closest, a short drive downriver from Lake Isabella and Bodfish on Old Kern Canyon Road. It is also the one hot spring on this stretch of the Kern you can soak in right now: nearby Miracle Hot Springs is closed, and Democrat Hot Springs is on private land.
History of Remington Hot Springs
The Tübatulabal and other Indigenous peoples lived along this stretch of the Kern River, built villages near its springs and used them for thousands of years. Gold Rush miners soaked here later, and the water was long said to have healing powers.
No buildings remain at the site. The tubs, with their stone masonry, coloured stones and the word "Paradise" set into a step, are volunteer work.
Is Remington Hot Springs open today?
Yes: no closure is listed for Remington Hot Springs when we checked on . It is an informal site with no gate, so "open" means no Forest Service closure, wildfire or road restriction affects it.
- Forest ServiceSequoia National Forest lists no closure for Remington. Nearby Miracle Hot Springs day-use area is still closed.
- RoadCaltrans reports no traffic restrictions on CA-178.
- WildfireNo active wildfire perimeters within 15 miles.
- Forest rulesA forest order in effect since July 2026 bans public nudity, and glass containers are banned in the Kern Canyon.
- Weather warningsChecked live from the National Weather Service when the weather section loads.
"No closures reported" isn't a promise the tubs are usable: high river flows can flood them. Call the Kern River Ranger District on (760) 376-3781 before a long drive.
Remington Hot Springs hours and parking
There are no posted hours: Remington has no gate, staff or lights. The trail is steep and the riverbank is uneven, so arrive and leave in daylight.
Is Remington Hot Springs free?
Yes. There is no entry fee, parking fee, permit or reservation, and you don't need a pass to park.
Remington Hot Springs parking
Parking is a dirt pullout on the river side of Old Kern Canyon Road, marked by a brown Forest Service sign about 3.4 miles along Old Kern Canyon Road. It is first come, first served and can fill on weekends. Pull fully off the pavement, since the road is narrow and winding, and if the pullout is full, come back another time rather than parking on the shoulder.
Remington Hot Springs directions
Remington is on Old Kern Canyon Road, about 42 miles east of Bakersfield and roughly 3 hours from Los Angeles.
- From Bakersfield, drive east on CA-178 through the Kern River Canyon toward Lake Isabella, about 37 miles.
- Turn onto Borel Road. After 0.3 miles, bear right onto Old Kern Canyon Road.
- Continue about 3.4 miles, past the Hobo Campground entrance at about 1.9 miles, to a dirt pullout on the river side with a brown Forest Service sign.
- Walk down the steep trail, about a quarter mile, to the tubs on the riverbank.
From Los Angeles
Allow about 3 hours for roughly 150 miles: take I-5 north and CA-99 to Bakersfield, then follow the steps above.
From Lake Isabella or Bodfish
Take Kern Canyon Road from Bodfish and follow it downriver to the same pullout, or drive CA-178 toward Bakersfield to Borel Road and follow steps 2 to 4.
Can you get to Remington Hot Springs in winter?
Usually, yes. The springs sit low in the canyon at about 2,200 feet, so the bigger winter concerns are rain, a slick trail and a rising river. Check Caltrans for CA-178 before you set out.
Remington Hot Springs map
The pullout is on the river side of Old Kern Canyon Road, about 1.5 miles past Hobo Campground. The trail drops from the pullout to the tubs at the water's edge.
© OpenStreetMap contributors
Old Kern Canyon Road, Bodfish, CA, Sequoia National Forest
Remington Hot Springs weather and river conditions
The forecast below is the National Weather Service forecast for the springs' exact location, loaded when you reach this section.
Loading the forecast… If it doesn't appear, open the weather.gov forecast for Remington Hot Springs.
Watch the river, not just the skyThe Kern River beside the tubs has a strong current that can rise quickly when water is released from Lake Isabella dam, and high flows can flood the riverside tubs.
Summer afternoons in the canyon are hot: go early and carry drinking water.
Remington Hot Springs weather by season
| Season | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Spring | Snowmelt and dam releases raise the Kern. High flows can flood the riverside tubs and make the bank dangerous. |
| Summer | Hot afternoons in the canyon, often near or above 100°F, with warm nights. Fire season can bring smoke and closures. |
| Autumn | Warm days, cooler nights and lower river flows. The most comfortable time of year to soak. |
| Winter | Mild days and chilly nights at about 2,200 feet, where snow is uncommon. Rain makes the trail slick and can raise the river fast. |
How hot is Remington Hot Springs?
The water ranges from about 80°F to 115°F. It leaves the hillside at about 106°F and cools to around 100°F in the lower tubs, while the small upper spring runs cooler, at about 86–90°F.
- ~106°FAt the source, above the lower tubs
- ~100°FThree lower tubs at the river's edge
- 86–90°FSmall upper spring
- VariesSeason, rain and river flow all shift the temperature
Why the water temperature changes
On cold winter mornings the tubs feel hotter than they are, while in summer the canyon air can be hotter than the cooler tubs. After rain or a rise in the river, cold water and sand can get into the riverside tubs and cool them sharply. US safety guidance for hot tubs sets 104°F as the maximum, so treat anything hotter as a short dip, and test each tub with your hand before getting in.
Is Remington Hot Springs clothing optional?
No. A Sequoia National Forest order issued in July 2026 prohibits public nudity anywhere in the forest, so wear a swimsuit.
The order covers the whole forest, so it applies in the tubs, on the trail and in the parking area. Breaking a Forest Service order can bring a fine of up to $5,000 for an individual, up to six months in jail, or both. Change in your car before you walk down, since there are no changing areas at the river.
Are dogs allowed at Remington Hot Springs?
Yes, on a leash. Keep them out of the tubs and away from the river.
Can kids go to Remington Hot Springs?
Yes, but the trail is steep and the tubs sit right beside a fast river, so keep children within arm's reach.
Can you bring food or drinks?
Yes, but no glass: food and drinks in glass containers are banned in the Kern Canyon and Isabella Lake areas. Pack out everything you bring.
What to bring to Remington Hot Springs
Remington has no facilities at all and the walk down is steep, so pack light but complete. Glass is banned in the Kern Canyon, and phone signal is patchy, so save directions before you leave Bakersfield or Lake Isabella.
- Shoes with grip for the steep trail and wet boulders.
- A swimsuit and a towel.
- Drinking water, plus sun protection in summer.
- A bag to pack out your trash.
- Drinks in cans or plastic, not glass.
- Water shoes for the rocky tub floors and riverbank.
- Dry clothes left in the car, ready for the walk back up.
There are no toilets or changing areas at the tubs, so change before you set off and use a restroom on the drive in.
Mistakes visitors make
- Walking down in flip-flops.
- Going when the river is running high.
- Bringing glass bottles.
- Leaving trash at the tubs.
- Arriving on a weekend afternoon and expecting a tub to themselves.
Remington Hot Springs safety tips
The main danger here is the Kern River, not the hot water. The tubs sit a few steps from fast, cold water that rises quickly with snowmelt and dam releases, and there is little phone signal to call for help. These habits keep a visit safe.
- Stay out of the Kern River.The current is strong and rises fast when the dam releases water. The Forest Service does not encourage swimming here.
- Skip the visit when the river is high.High flows can flood the riverside tubs and make the boulders dangerous.
- Keep your head above water.The tubs hold untreated geothermal water. The CDC advises never putting your head under in hot springs, because a rare but deadly ameba can enter through the nose.
- Test before you get in.Water near the source can be much hotter than the tubs by the river.
- Watch your footing.The trail is short but steep, and the rocks around the tubs are wet and slick.
- Carry water.Summer days in the canyon are hot, and hot water dehydrates you.
- Keep dogs leashed and children close.Both are safest well back from the riverbank.
Is Remington Hot Springs worth it?
Yes, if you want a free, rustic soak beside a wild river within an hour of Bakersfield and don't mind a steep walk and some company.
Why people love it
- Free, with no reservation
- Hand-built stone tubs right on the riverbank
- A short walk from the car
- Low elevation, so it's reachable most of the year
What to know first
- Steep trail with no handrails
- Busy on weekends
- No toilets at the tubs
- Tubs can flood when the river is high
Best time to visit Remington Hot Springs
Autumn to spring is the most comfortable, since summer afternoons in the canyon are hot. Weekday mornings are quietest. In late spring, snowmelt and dam releases can raise the river enough to flood the tubs.
Is Remington Hot Springs crowded?
Often, on weekends and holidays. It is free, close to the highway and one of the few places to soak on the Lower Kern while Miracle Hot Springs, about 1.5 miles up the canyon, stays closed. The tubs are small, so arrive early on a weekday for the best chance of one to yourself, and expect to share when it's busy.
Camping near Remington Hot Springs
You can't camp at the springs themselves. The nearest open option is a Forest Service campground a short drive back down the canyon, or you can stay in Lake Isabella, Bodfish or Kernville.
| At the springs | No camping |
|---|---|
| Hobo Campground | The nearest Forest Service site; closed until further notice |
| Sandy Flat Campground | Listed as open. A short drive back along Old Kern Canyon Road toward Borel Road: 35 family sites beside the Lower Kern, including 6 walk-in sites, with water and restrooms |
| Reservations | Through the Forest Service's campground concessionaire |
| Elsewhere on the Lower Kern | Developed campgrounds and designated dispersed areas only |
Staying near Lake Isabella
Lake Isabella, Bodfish and Kernville have campgrounds and rentals within a short drive of the springs.
Remington Hot Springs FAQ
How long is the hike to Remington Hot Springs?
About a quarter mile from the dirt pullout down to the river. It is short but steep, so wear shoes with grip and allow extra time for the climb back up.
Are there toilets at Remington Hot Springs?
No. There are no toilets or changing areas at the tubs, so plan ahead and pack out everything you bring.
Can you swim in the Kern River at Remington Hot Springs?
It isn't recommended. The Forest Service does not encourage swimming in the Kern River, where the current is strong and can rise quickly when water is released from Lake Isabella dam.
Who looks after the tubs?
Volunteers known as the Kern River Hot Springs Angels built the tubs and power wash them from time to time. The land is managed by Sequoia National Forest.
What county is Remington Hot Springs in?
Kern County, California, in the Kern River Ranger District of Sequoia National Forest.
Is Remington Hot Springs busy?
Yes, often on weekends and holidays. Go early on a weekday for the best chance of a tub to yourself.
Remington Hot Springs pictures
This photo, taken in March, shows the volunteer-built tubs on the bank of the Kern River.
We only show photos whose licence allows reuse, and credit the photographer under each one.
Hot springs near Remington Hot Springs
Are there hot springs in Bakersfield?
Not in the city itself. The nearest place to soak is Remington Hot Springs, about 42 miles east of Bakersfield in the Kern River Canyon, within an hour's drive on CA-178.
Miracle Hot Springs has been closed indefinitely since 2024, and Democrat Hot Springs, further down the canyon, is on private land and not open for public soaking.
-
Closed
Miracle Hot Springs
Old Kern Canyon Road, about 1.5 miles away. The Forest Service has closed its day-use area; still closed on 9 Nov 2026.
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Private
Democrat Hot Springs
Off CA-178 in the lower Kern River Canyon. A historic resort on private property, with no public soaking.
Sources and verification
- Sequoia National Forest alerts (no Remington closure, Miracle Hot Springs closure, nudity and glass orders, fire danger, camping limits)
- Forest Service: Hobo Campground (closed until further notice; ranger district phone) and Recreation.gov (Remington location, river swimming)
- Caltrans: CA-178 conditions
- CDC: preventing Naegleria fowleri infection (safety tips)
More hot springs in California
Are there hot springs in California?
Yes, many, from free riverside soaks like Remington to resort pools. Many of the best-known free ones are in the Eastern Sierra along US-395, between Mammoth Lakes and Bridgeport. These are four of the best known.
-
Varies
Travertine Hot Springs
Bridgeport. Free natural pools on travertine, a short walk from a 1-mile dirt road; temperatures differ a lot.
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95–105°F
Wild Willy's Hot Springs
Long Valley, near Mammoth Lakes. Free natural pools at the end of a ¼-mile boardwalk.
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100–110°F
Hilltop Hot Springs
Benton Crossing Road, near Mammoth Lakes. A free single tub you adjust with a valve.
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View only
Hot Creek Geologic Site
Inyo National Forest. A steaming creek gorge you can look at; swimming is prohibited.
More hot springs in the United States
Further afield, these are some of the best-known hot springs we list in the West, from free soaks at the end of a hike to stone pools you book ahead.
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103–107°F
Strawberry Park Hot Springs
Steamboat Springs, Colorado. Stone soaking pools by a creek; reservations and cash only.
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View only
Mammoth Hot Springs
Yellowstone, Wyoming. Steaming travertine terraces seen from boardwalks, reachable by car all year.
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113°F
Goldbug Hot Springs
Near Salmon, Idaho. Free natural pools at the end of a 2-mile hike with a steep finish.
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110–112°F
Umpqua Hot Springs
Umpqua National Forest, Oregon. Travertine pools above the river, 0.3 miles up a steep trail; daylight only.
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100–102°F
Fifth Water Hot Springs
Diamond Fork Canyon, Utah. Milky blue pools below a waterfall on a 4.5-mile round-trip hike.
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90–104°F
Glenwood Hot Springs Pool
Glenwood Springs, Colorado. A huge public pool off I-70, with a 90–93°F Grand Pool and a 104°F therapy pool.