Located 1.75 miles from the hot springs, Deep Creek Hot Springs Campground is situated on the historic Bowen Ranch property in the Juniper Flats area of Apple Valley. Sitting 4500 ft up in the mountains of the Mojave Desert and 13 miles from the nearest town and convenience stores, this rural 160 acre homestead property makes a peaceful place to escape the everyday and enjoy nature. Located far from the city lights, this property is perfect for viewing the night sky. Surrounded by thousands of acres of undeveloped wildlife-rich land, you will be able to take in spectacular views of the mountain and desert landscapes all around you as you explore the many miles of ohv and hiking trails, and see a unique mix of plants and animals including the iconic Joshua Trees, Juniper bushes, various cactus & wildflowers, red-tailed hawks, eagles, coyotes, bobcats and lizards & snakes. Rattlesnakes are the only dangerous animals in the area, with mountain lion and bear sightings being extremely rare. Formed in the Deep Creek Canyon's cliff rocks, there are 6 lithium hot spring pools situated alongside a cool creek that flows all year around. The hot spring pools are consistently full with water temperatures between 90-108*F. Camping at the hot springs is prohibited, as they are designated for day-use only from sunrise to sunset, but you can camp overnight at the Bowen Ranch and be first to take a dip when access to the hot springs opens at sunrise. Essential facilities available on site include bathrooms, showers, potable water, firewood bundles and cold drinks for sale. There are picnic tables, fire pits with grills available, and a lush patch of astro-turf grass at most of our campsites. Dogs are welcome to come along! There is cell phone service on the property, but it drops out along most of the six-mile dirt road that leads here, so check directions before you set off. THE BOWEN RANCH PROPERTY IS UNDER NEW OWNERSHIP WITH A NEW ENTRANCE GATE & A NEW ATTITUDE! WE WELCOME YOU TO COME VISIT!

 

*UPDATE*

As of March 18, 2023, the Hot Springs are OPEN, but the creek level is very high at the crossing due to snow melting. The snow has melted all around the hot springs and Bowen Ranch Rd. does not require a 4WD. Rock Springs Rd. was flooded & closed, requiring access from Bear Valley Rd.


FEES

  • DAY PASS for PARKING & TRAIL ACCESS 7AM-7PM  = $10 DONATION PER PERSON
  • CAMPING & TRAIL ACCESS UNTIL 7PM THE NEXT DAY = $15 DONATION PER PERSON
  • WE ACCEPT CASH, ZELLE or CREDIT CARD DONATIONS
  • PLEASE CHECK-IN IMMEDIATELY UPON ARRIVAL & REGISTER BEFORE PARKING TO HIKE (use drop-box after hours)
  • Discounts for groups of 25 people or more

PROPERTY INFO

  • RESERVATIONS are NOT NEEDED! There is unlimited parking & we GUARANTEE you will have a place to camp when you arrive! 
  • Our entrance gate is always open 24 hours a day, even on holidays, so visitors may arrive at any time. Please check-in 1st thing!
  • We have picnic tables, firepits (grills available), showers, toilets & potable water at the campground, but no electricity. 
  • The campground is completely OFF-THE -GRID & operates primarily on solar power. Potable water is on site. Generators are OK to run until 11pm.
  • A 4x4 vehicle is NOT necessary to drive up here, unless it has snowed recently or had heavy rain.
  • Dogs are OK to bring along, but are NOT allowed in the hot spring pools per USFS rules. The Summer heat is hard on dogs up here and the hike can blister their paws.
  • Equestrian site available, large separate area, no corral.
  • FIREWOOD is available on-site for $10/bundle unless there is a burn ban or high winds when no fires are allowed.
  • Breakfast & Coffee served 8AM-11AM.  Taco Truck on-site most weekends.   
  • 3 ZIPLINES to RIDE!!! Right here at the campground!!! 
  • $10 zipline equipment fee per person + $5 per ride ($15 for 1 ride)  OR  $25 per person for 4 rides  OR  $60 for 8 rides up to 4 people         
  • Although children are permitted to be on the property, we do not recommend bringing children due to the occasional nudity that may be seen in the area surrounding the hot springs and because of the difficulty of the hike.

HIKE INFO

  •  The hike is 1.75 miles long with a 950 ft drop in elevation from the campground parking area to the hot springs.
  • It will take about 45 minutes to get down to the springs, but 75 minutes to hike back up the hill to the campground.
  • WARNING! This is not an easy hike back! EXTREME TEMPERATURES IN SUMMER & WINTER cause heat exhaustion, hypothermia & disorientation requiring on average about 6 search & rescue events per month during the Summer & 1-2 per month in Winter!
  • It is imperative to NOT hike back from the springs between 11am to 3pm during the Summer heat, because there is very little shade on the trail and it is all uphill the way back.
  • Each person needs to bring at least 64oz of water, download the trail map and have a flashlight for the hike, as well as proper hiking shoes.
  • Do not hike in flip flops or sandals. The 1 3/4 mile trail is steep & slippery in places with loose gravel.
  • Have a Map to the Hot Springs! A map is at the top of our webpage, Apple Maps shows the trail, and Alltrails has a good map. GPS based apps & maps is best, because cell service drops. You can get cell service from the top of the hills and call us for assistance.
  • Do not forget to bring trash bags so you can pack out all of your trash. #1 Rule is pack it in, pack it out!
  • Know before you go! See the USFS link below to be aware of the various rules regarding the Deep Creek area & the current status.

Click the LINK below to check the current status of the Deep Creek Hot Springs & the San Bernardino National Forest

 

*Scroll down for map & detailed driving directions to the campground from the i-15freeway.

Pictures of the Campground 

Deep Creek Hot Springs 

beautiful private hot spring pool & cold spring pool right on site!

CAN'T MAKE THE HIKE??? OUR PRIVATE SPRING POOL OASIS SITE IS AVAILABLE FOR PRIVATE RENTAL & OVERNIGHT CAMPING. CLOTHING IS OPTIONAL, POOLS ARE TEXTILE FREE.

There are 4 natural spring pools at the oasis site, 2 cold pools to cool off in, and 2 warm spring pools that are heated to 107F. Private bathroom & shower for the guests. This site is available to rent for private use, large or small groups, and special events through Hipcamp.com (reservation link below or text us). About 25 people can camp at the site, but larger groups can rent the site & camp in a designated area nearby. Only 2 vehicles are permitted to park at the oasis site 7 must be 4WD, but a private parking area that can accommodate 10+ cars is located 250 ft away.


Large Separate Area Available for Private Events

Rent 1/2 the campground on our secluded private side for up to 300 people. Most privateevents, music & entertainment allowed. For more information CALL or TEXT  760-515-7525 or email:   INFO@deepcreekhotspringscampground.com

furnished gLAMPING TENTS available!

Our partner Outdoor Rentals will have your campsite ready with a fully furnished tent right here at the DCHS Campground! Stay on the closest private property to the deep creek hot springs... the easy way! Click the Hipcamp reservation link below to see pictures and make reservations or text 1-760-515-7525 for more info.

MAP & DRIVING DIRECTIONS

The Deep Creek Hot Springs Campground & the Original Bowen Ranch Camping & Parking Area is Located at:

5900 Bowen Ranch Rd/5900 Hot Springs Trail, Apple Valley, CA 92308

WHILE DRIVING the 6.2 MILES ON BOWEN RANCH RD, YOU WILL PASS BY THESE LANDMARKS:

IMPORTANT! DO NOT GO INTO THE WRONG ENTRANCE DRIVEWAY & PAY AT THE SHACK CABIN! WRONG PROPERTY!!!

 Directions From I-15 North, Main St exit in Hesperia:

1) Drive East on Main St. approximately 7 miles.

2) Turn left onto Rock Springs Rd. & drive 3 miles until it turns into Roundup Way at a 4-way stop.

3) Continue driving East on Roundup Way for about 2 miles. Turn left onto Central Rd., drive North 1/2 mile.

4) Turn right onto Ocotillo Way, head East for 3 miles.

5) Turn right onto Bowen Ranch rd.(a dirt road), drive 6.2 miles to the campground entrance.

*Keep right at any splits on Bowen Ranch rd. SEE PICTURES BELOW for the last stretch of driving on Bowen Ranch rd

*Do NOT pay at the shack entrance! The Bowen Ranch trailhead & camping area has a new entrance just past the 3-way split at the shack(keep right). The Bowen Ranch NO LONGER shares an entrance with the shack , and a new fence blocks all access to the Bowen Ranch property & trailhead.

 Directions from I-15 North to 138 East: (use this route to avoid traffic in Cajon Pass)

1) Take 138 towards Silverwood Lake

2) Take 173 to Lake Arrowhead Rd. (left turn)

3) Follow Lake Arrowhead Rd. to Rock Springs Rd.

4) Turn right onto Rock Springs rd.& drive 3 miles until it turns into Roundup Way at a 4-way stop.

5)Continue driving East on Roundup Way for about 2 miles, then turn left onto Central rd.

6) Take Central for 1/2 mile, turn right onto Ocotillo Way, drive East 3 miles until you reach Bowen Ranch Rd.

Turn right onto Bowen Ranch rd and follow for 6.2 miles 

* IMPORTANT!!! If you pull up to an old shack cabin you are at the WRONG place. The "original" entrance with the old shack cabin is NOT associated with us & has NO ACCESS to the Bowen Ranch property, the hot springs trailhead, or the campground, so be clear on directions when meeting up with friends as to where you will be so you are not separated by a fence 1/2 mile away.

CALL or TEXT    760-515-7525  or  760-960-9418  or  760-628-9870  for MORE INFO.

       *There is NO CELL RECEPTION or CAR NAVIGATION on most of Bowen Ranch Rd, so download the map & take note of these directions & pictures for your drive up. There is cell service once on the campground property.

*Do NOT drive on Deep Creek Rd or Japatul/Juniper Flats Rd to reach the property, take Bowen Ranch Rd. from Ocotillo Way.

USFS RULES & INFO

  • NO OVERNIGHT CAMPING AT THE HOT SPRINGS.
  • THE HOT SPRINGS ARE DAY-USE ONLY, OPEN FROM SUNRISE TO SUNSET.   
  • NO FIRES ALLOWED AT THE SPRINGS.   
  • NO GLASS ALLOWED AT THE SPRINGS. 
  • NO DOGS ALLOWED IN THE HOT SPRING POOLS. 
  • PACK OUT WHAT YOU PACK IN!

GUESTS ARE EXPECTED TO EXIT THE DEEP CREEK AREA BEFORE DARK & CAMP ON THE BOWEN RANCH PROPERTY WHEN VISITING THE DEEP CREEK HOT SPRINGS  AREA.  OVERNIGHT CAMPING AT THE HOT SPRINGS IS ILLEGAL & EFFECTS THE ECOSYSTEM IN THE DEEP CREEK AREA IN A NEGATIVE WAY THROUGH OVERUSE & THE BUILD UP OF GARBAGE LEFT BY THOSE PACKING IN SUPPLIES. WE NEED TO PROTECT THE DELICATE ECOSYSTEM & NATURAL BEAUTY AROUND THE DEEP CREEK HOT SPRINGS BY DISCOURAGING OTHERS NOT TO CAMP THERE & BY KEEPING THE AREA CLEAN AND FREE OF GARBAGE. 

REALIZE THAT WE SHARE THE HOT SPRINGS  WITH MANY LIVING ORGANISMS, SOME RARE & UNIQUE TO THE AREA. PLEASE GIVE THE HOT SPRINGS A BREAK FROM HUMAN INTERACTION DURING THE NIGHT IN ORDER TO ALLOW THE WILDLIFE TO USE THEIR OWN HABITAT FREELY & LET THE AREA RECOVER FROM THE IMPACTS HUMANS MAKE THERE ON A DAILY BASIS.


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