California

Travel Guide to Wild Willy’s Hot Springs in California

April 20, 2022

Wild Willy’s Hot Springs

I’m sure that when you think about the eastern sierras, you think of Yosemite and other beautiful national parks. While Yosemite is certainly worth a visit (and Wild Willy’s is only a day trip from the park), there is a lot to see and do in this great region, and one of my favorite spots has to be Wild Willy’s Hot Spring.

Wild Willy’s Hot Spring (also known as Crowley Hot Springs) is located in California right in the beautiful Sierras Nevadas about 20 minutes east of Mammoth Lakes. If you’re a hot spring lover then be sure to add this heart-shaped gem to your California travel list because it will truly take your breath away. Please keep in mind this is very popular and it is very important to pick up after yourselves and leave no trace.

How to Get there

This is the start of the trail, it is a easy walk along this pathway to get to the hot springs.
That path will lead you all the way to the larger pool area. As you walk in the heart shaped hot spring will be to the left of the main spring near the rocky area.

When to Visit

I have visited this hot spring during every season aside from winter and must recommend traveling there during the end of spring or during the beginning of fall. This is due not only to the crowds I encountered during summer but also due to the temperature of Long Valley. Hot springs on a hot day are not always the most refreshing and during the summer it can reach up to 100 degrees in this area.

Before You Visit

  • You will need to drive down a dirt road to access the trailhead. This road does not require four wheel drive or high clearance, I got there with no trouble in my Honda Crosstour.
  • This spot gets pretty crowded, I highly suggest you plan to visit at sunset or sunrise to avoid major crowds.
  • Parking is limited however there is an additional parking area to the left just before you access the main parking area.

Other Spots in the Area

If you’re looking to explore and experience The Eastern Sierra, Wild Willy’s Hot Springs is one of the best places to start. It’s beautiful, full of life, exciting and a trip that everyone who visits will remember for a lifetime. Don’t miss out on this little gem!

If you’re interested in exploring additional hot spring locations, I recommend Travertine Hot Springs which is about an hour and a half drive from Wild Willy’s Hot Spring and Hilltop Hot Spring which is about five minutes down the road from Wild Willy’s Hot Spring.

natalienicosia

Embark on a journey with me, Natalie Nicosia, your dedicated travel guide through the breathtaking landscapes of the west. As an Aquarius with an insatiable passion for exploration, I invite fellow adventure and experience seekers to join me on a quest for the extraordinary.

  1. A WordPress Commenter

    April 20, 2022 at 5:52 pm

    Hi, this is a comment.
    To get started with moderating, editing, and deleting comments, please visit the Comments screen in the dashboard.
    Commenter avatars come from Gravatar.

Comments are closed.