Keough’s Hot Spring Guide and Review (Bishop, CA)

Keough’s Hot Springs include a hot springs resort as well as natural hot springs made of rock walled pools inside of a creek. If you’re visiting Bishop or Mammoth Lakes, CA, it’s a very easily accessible spot to take a soak. Whenever I drive up to Mammoth from Los Angeles, it’s one of my go-to pit stops to break up the drive.

Keough’s Hot Spring Resort vs. Keough’s Hot Springs Ditch

At Keough’s Hot Springs you have two options:

1. The Resort – The hot springs resorts with two constructed pools that require a fee to enter.

2. Natural Springs – The natural hot springs outside of the resort that are free to enter.

Personally, I love visiting both, but it really comes down to your personal preferences and what you’re looking to experience. Below is our guide and review of both hot springs.

Keough’s Hot Spring Resort Review

This historic hot spring resort was founded in 1919 and has been operating to present day. Two hot spring fed pools are available for soaking. The larger one is 100 ft. x 40 ft. and is kept between 86 and 92 degrees (depending on the season and weather conditions). The smaller hot pool is 15 ft. by 40 ft. and is kept at 104 degrees fahrenheit year round. The mineral water contains 27 unique minerals with health promoting properties. The pools are cleaned and refilled each week and also have a constant flow of fresh mineral water throughout the day. The available amenities at Keough’s Hot Spring resort include changing rooms and showers, lounge chairs for sunbathing, and a snack bar. It’s not luxury resort, but it’s clean, accessible and the water is incredible.

Keough’s Hot Spring Operating Hours

Mon, Wed, Thur, Fri: 11:00 am - 6:00 pm

Saturday-Sunday: 9:00 am - 6pm

Keough’s Hot Spring Cost

The cost to enter Keough’s Hot Spring is $12 for an adult day pass. Children’s day passes (Ages 3-12) cost $7. Ten day swim passes are also available for $65 as well as monthly passes for $85.

Directions to Keough’s Hot Spring

Keough’s Hot Spring resort is located in Bishop, CA right off of US-395 and is very easily accessible.

800 Keough Hot Springs Rd, Bishop, CA 93514

Keough’s Hot Spring Ditch Review

Keough’s hot spring ditch is a series of hot spring pools in a stream, damned up by primite rock walls put up by locals. It’s located right outside of the resort and is free to enter. These natural hot springs are quite large with multiple pools available for soaking along the creek. The higher up stream you go, the warmer the water is. What I especially loved about these pools is how clear the water is. The water is a really nice temperature at around 99 to 100 degrees. Nudity is pretty common at this spot so be prepared for that! The main downside to the natural hot springs here is that some high voltage power lines have been built above them and they can be a bit noisy (although if you go higher up creek the noise isn’t as bad.)

Keough’s Hot Ditch Directions

To find these hot springs simply head to Keough’s Hot Spring resort. 800 Keough Hot Springs Rd, Bishop, CA 93514 Just before the resort you will take a right on a dirt road. It’s just after a wooden post with the number “51”. About 100ft. down this road you will find the hot springs. You can usually see cars parked by the hot springs and so that helps make them easy to find.

Keough’s Hot Spring Camping

Camping is available at Keough’s Hot Spring, with campsites for tents as well as RVs available. 10 campsites are available with hookups for water and electricity (30 amps) in addition to multiple dry campsites. The camping spots are mostly on grass with the shade of trees and a great view of the Eastern Sierra mountain range. Campsites with water and electricity go for $35/night and dry campsites go for $30/night.

For more information and booking go to: keoughshotsprings.com

Keough’s Hot Spring Death

Naegleria Fowleri Warning Keoughs Hot Springs

Unfortunately there was a case of a person dying of Naegleria Fowleri at Keough’s hot spring ditch. It is a very rare brain eating amoeba that can be found at hot springs. The good news is that cases of this happening are extremely rare. And if you want to be extra careful, simply don’t dunk your head under the waters, as this amoeba can only enter your body through your nostrils. Or, simply avoid the Hot Spring Ditch and go the resort – some chlorine is added to the water so you don’t have to worry. Learn more about the Naegleria Fowleri brain eating amoeba risks in hot springs.

Looking for More California Hot Springs?

If you’re looking for more hot springs to explore in California, make sure to checkout our California Hot Springs map.