Deep Creek Hot Springs — Attraction in Lake Arrowhead

Been going there for the past 23 years, I will try to go there every Full Moon, in the summer is better to hike down at sunset so you don't have to deal with the crazy heat plus the Full Moon lights up the trail pretty good, no flashlights needed. Miss Mike the owner of Bowen Ranch where the entrance was to the parking lot. We went Monday half a mile passed Mike's property where they made a new campground. Jessica was nice charged $10/person who is the new owner of the new entrance/campground. We hiked down at sunset. Don't forget to make a sharp right when you get down to the bottom of the first hill you'll see a wider sandy road follow it straight for about a 100 feet then sharp right to get up to your second hill...there is an old gate and turquoise dots showing you're on the right trail. it took us 17 minutes walking kind of slow to get to the Deep Creek sign which comes up after you made the sharp right turn the "begging" of the second hill. after that it's hard to get lost the trail continues all the way down to the hotsprings. When you get down to the bottom of the hill you will hear the Creek just follow the trail to the left till you see the "lake" cross it and you will see the hotsprings inside the rocks. There were 5 pools 2 in the "lake" and 3 in the rocks. Each different temperature but all super comfortable. I love this place so much I can't even believe the amazing benefits of this hotsprings. I had 2 herniated discs and terrible sciatica pain all year couldn't even walk at all for a month. Finally got back on my feet and I hiked down in August 6th in the Full Moon in soo much pain and agony. Soaked all night in the "Womb* (second pool in the rock the biggest of all) and miraculously all my pain was gone. Not kidding!!! Hiking back up is way more challenging but so beautiful and peaceful. I call this place: "my hospital " always cures me recharges me and makes me so happy. Definitely worth every second of the difficult hike!! It took us 1.25 hr. to get down and 2.25hrs. to hike back up comfortably taking breaks...I'm 42...Also I love to listen to the strange cloaking of the Southwestern Arroyo Toad which is unfortunately a highly endangered frog species that lives nowhere else. And also some cute fish that are super friendly and comes up to you while soaking in the "lake pool" and nibbles on your dead skin cells I did get the best pedicure by these cute fishes. not joking....Not much light pollution either you would be thrilled to see so many stars especially when it's a meteor shower....I've done this hike so many times at night even in the cold winter in the rain without flashlights....love this place....It is such a unique and miraculous place, clothing is optional keep it in mind... but please guys take your trash with you and do not vandalize the beautiful rocks with nasty graffiti. Please do take a lot of water with you unfortunately the old copper pipe is gone where the drinkable fresh water was coming out from the rocks....Respect and enjoy to...

Beautiful natural hot springs in Southern CA! =)

There are several hot pools in the rock formations, plus a cooler creek flowing below the hotter pools.

The hot spring's water is clear but there's a slight sulfur smell to the water because it's natural underground hot springs.

It's temperature exiting the ground is over 100 degrees where it then flows into seven man-made soaking pools adjacent an annual flowing creek.

Bowen Ranch is a private property and the owner expects you to pay $5.00 per person per day and $10.00 for overnight camping. If the owner does not come to the door there are some envelopes and pencil on the steps for you to deposit your payment in the slot on the wall. Then continue down the road for another 0.5 miles to the parking lot. You will see signs of "No vehicles beyond this point".

The hike is just over 2 miles down to the springs and includes an elevation change of approximately 930 feet.

SPECIFIC DIRECTIONS AFTER LEAVING THE 15 FREEWAY: Go east 7 1/2 miles, and the road forks.

Take the straight ahead fork (still going east) onto Rock Springs Road for 2 1/2 miles. The name changes to Roundup Way.

Continue 4 14 miles on Roundup (last 1 1/2 miles is unpaved dirt road) and turn right onto Bowen Ranch road.

Turn right (south) on the unpaved Bowen Ranch Road, go between 5 and 7 miles. Stay on the wide dirt road all the way until you see the sign for Bown Ranch and Deep Creel Hot Springs.

Get to Bowen Ranch and pay $5 per person parking fee and start walking down the 2 mile trail to the springs.

Although the last 7 miles to Bowen Ranch involves unpaved desert roads, the area has many residents and the roads are frequently traveled. So don't worry about getting stranded and having your bones bleach white before help arrives.

ELEVATION GAIN/LOSS: We parked at 4400 feet at Bowen Ranch and the trail drops 800 feet down to the hot springs. The last half mile of the trail is slippery, so bring really-grippy hiking shoes.

Be sure to bring a change of clothes, plenty water, snacks, comfy walking/hiking shoes, hat & sunscreen.

Beware, there are nudists here! =)

Deep Creek is without a doubt, one of the best hot springs in the...

Deep Creek has three beautiful hotsprings, but there are some things you should know before you go:

Google maps did not send me the right way, it took us over a mountain instead of through the desert to Bowen Ranch. The easiest way of getting in is through Bowen Ranch which is private property and has an entrance fee of $5/person (not per car) during the day and $10/person for overnight visits. This fee provides you with a photocopied hand drawn map down to the springs and a place to park your car.

The hike from parking down to the hot springs is about 45 minutes to an hour. Many people frequent this place. Everyone from day trippers from LA to backpackers, to hippies and nomads, to people taking their dogs for walks. The train is steep and pretty difficult at times. Coming back up was hardest for me as I have exercise induced asthma and am not it the best shape. But I did it! So you probably can too.

Bring lots of water! (there's a spicket but it's not purified enough to drink it.)

Some people bring chalk to make their way back at turns in the path.

Make sure to look backwards from where you come on your way down so you know where to go on the return trip.

I do not recommend going there late in the day and trying to hike back to your car in the dark. It is extremely difficult to tell where the trail is in the dark because of all the other paths made by animals, off-roaders, and mountain bikers.

I speak from experience that it is not fun getting lost in the dark in that desert. My group and I only managed to reconnect with the other half of our group and our cars by howling to each other from one hill to the other. We could see the road (there's a dirt road you cross about halfway through the trail) but we could not get to it due to a barbed wire fence. Finally, with the help of some friendly night hikers, we manages to find our way back. But it was a bit frightening.

I have gone back since then and gotten over that experience, but wanted to share it so that others might learn from our...