Deep Creek Hot Springs Campground at the Bowen Ranch

 Etiquette & history ofthe Deep Creek Hot Springs

These natural hot springs are located in the San Bernardino National Forest. The pools were built by volunteers over several decades and are maintained by volunteers to keep them in the pristine state you see them in today. The beautiful and unique landscape that accompanies these soothing hot spring pools that gently mix with the cool mountain fed waters of Deep Creek make for a wonderful clothing-optional setting to be enjoyed by all. Regarded as a sacred place by the Native Americans that once inhabited the area, pilgrimages were made to these hot springs for thousands of years. And now, people from all around the world come to the Deep Creek hot springs to get away from their everyday life & soak  in the naturally heated pools created from the friction of the fault located far beneath. The area can be enjoyed all year long, as the creek and hot pools are always flowing. Please help preserve and protect Deep Creek Hot Springs, as they exist today, for future generations. Please do your part to preserve the natural beauty of the hot springs by being fully aware of the United States Forest Service regulations and being fully responsible for the actions of yourself and your entire group. Most of all, respect the plants & animals that live on the land and in the water around the springs by not disturbing them in any way.

Please do your part to preserve the natural beauty of the hot springs by being fully aware of local regulations set forth by the US forestry service, and by being fully responsible for the actions of yourself and everyone in your group. Ignoring these regulations could lead to the closure of the area & cost you a fine up to $500. The USFS regulations prohibit the following activities in the Deep Creek drainage area: 1)Camping on National Forest lands within a mile of each side of the Deep Creek canyon.  2)Building, maintaining tending a fire. 3)Being in the Deep Creek area after sundown or before sunrise, day-use only area. 4)Possession of any glass containers within a mile of the Deep Creek hot springs is illegal. 5)Being publicly nude within one-quarter mile of the T-6 crossing(near Arrowhead).

Leave No Trace! Pack it in, pack it out! If you carried it down to the hot springs, then you need to carry it back with you. Remember cigarette butts and melted candles are trash as well, so please do not leave them in the pools for others to take out. There is no official trash collection done at the hot springs nor is there toilets for human waste... so plan accordingly and take all of your shit back home with you where it can be disposed of properly. Many locals & frequent visitors do not tolerate blatant littering & disrespect of the environment, and they will publicly shame those seen doing so in an effort to protect this beautiful sanctuary that is otherwise helpless to defend itself from the impact humans impose upon it. Respect the fragile ecosystem surrounding the hot springs. Do not cut down trees or break branches off.  Do not harm the wild life and other vegetation around the springs or on the trails.

Respect other people's space and privacy. Don’t go out of established nude areas. To wander nude into clothing compulsive territory or be nude around other people’s children, because it may offend people and undermine a true naturists objectives. No overt sexual activity should done in public view. Nude is not lewd, but combined with sex, it undermines the nudist/ naturist's image and could lead to conflicting ideals & legal implications, ultimately costing the enjoyment of the hot springs.

If you bring your dog to the hot springs, please bring a leash & clean up any messes your dog makes. Keep your dog under your full control at all times, both on the trail & at the hot springs. 

Many people enjoy drinking alcoholic beverages at the hot springs, but drinking alcohol in excess can lead to dehydration in the warmer months, making for a difficult if not impossible hike back out of the canyon... and you don’t want to have to be rescued and airlifted out of the hot springs at your expense. Stay sober enough so you can hike the 2 miles back up without assistance.

*The Deep Creek Hot Springs Area is a clothing optional area, it and occasional nudity may be seen on the hiking trails & at private sites on the DCHS Campground property. Nudity is acceptable at your site, but we ask that you wear clothing in our shared common areas. 

INFO@deepcreekhotspringscampground.com
S+1 (760)515-7525

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