Wild Willy's Hot Springs

An elevated boardwalk leading to natural, heart-shaped geothermal pools in the high desert of the Long Valley Caldera.

Wild Willy's Hot Springs, also known as Crowley Hot Springs, is a natural geothermal oasis located in the sagebrush flats of the Long Valley Caldera, about 13 miles east of Mammoth Lakes. Unlike other nearby soaking spots that rely on artificial pipes and concrete tubs to corral the earth's heat, this site remains entirely natural, allowing mineral-rich waters to pool directly in the earth. Visitors access the springs via an elevated wooden boardwalk that stretches nearly a quarter-mile across a fragile wetland ecosystem. This wooden path protects the sensitive salt grass and sedges from foot traffic while offering a direct route to the steaming pools. The contrast between the arid high desert and the lush, green marshland along the boardwalk highlights the unique geology of the Owens Valley, where subterranean heat meets the surface in a series of active thermal vents.

The soaking area features two primary pools of varying sizes and temperatures, each offering a distinct experience. The main pool is a wide, natural pool that is famously heart-shaped, measuring roughly ten feet across and three feet deep. This larger pool maintains a comfortable temperature of approximately 95 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit, making it ideal for longer, relaxed soaking sessions and larger groups of up to thirty people. Just a few yards away, a smaller, deeper pool sits tucked into the thermal stream. This secondary pool, often referred to as the blue pool, runs significantly hotter, frequently reaching temperatures between 102 and 105 degrees Fahrenheit. Because the bottoms of these pools are composed of natural silt, clay, and gravel rather than concrete, bathers often use the mineral-rich clay as a natural skin exfoliant, adding a tactile, raw element to the experience.

Managed by the Bureau of Land Management, Wild Willy's Hot Springs is free to the public and open year-round, though winter access may require snowshoeing or walking when snow closes the final stretch of the dirt road. Because the springs are located on public land with no developed facilities, visitors must practice strict Leave No Trace principles, carrying out all trash and personal belongings. The atmosphere here is deeply communal yet quiet, with clothing-optional bathing being a long-standing tradition. As the sun dips below the jagged crest of the Sierra Nevada to the west, the steam rising from the pools catches the light, casting a soft glow over the surrounding flats. Whether sharing stories with fellow travelers in the large pool or enjoying a quiet, solitary soak in the hot stream under a canopy of desert stars, the experience remains a pure, unadorned encounter with the geothermal forces of the American West.