Discover the Beauty of Mono Hot Springs: Camping – Cabins

Mono Hot Springs is a secluded resort in the Sierra National Forest northeast of Fresno. It is an excellent option if you are searching for a splendid wilderness experience that offers some of the comforts of home. It is a hidden gem in the western Sierra that boasts incredible scenic views and is surrounded by nearby lakes, rivers, and streams. Although the accommodations are rustic, if you enjoy nature and seek a unique place to escape city life, you will surely relish your stay here.

Mono Hot Springs Resort History

Visitors could enter the area after the Kaiser Pass Road was completed in 1927. They came for the fishing, scenery, and the numerous hot mineral pools along the San Joaquin River.

The resort’s construction started in 1935 with a general store and some rustic cabins. Its development is closely connected with the development of the Big Creek Hydroelectric Project, which provided power to Los Angeles and made the area accessible to tourists. The Civilian Conservation Corps had a significant role in the resort’s development, constructing concrete baths to contain spring water in the 1930s.

Several original cabins, tent cabins, and one-room camping cabins exist today. Mono Hot Springs Resort has a bathhouse, a general store, and a small restaurant.

Mono Hot Springs Mineral Water Hot Pools

Mono Hot Springs Resort has a bathhouse where you can soak in tubs and an outdoor spa with a fantastic view of the mountains. There are several hot pools in the area for those looking for a more primitive soak, some of which are clothing optional. Ask for directions to some of the more remote hot springs at the general store.

Natural hot springs are abundant in the area. The two most popular spots to soak, Old Pedro and Iodine Spring, are within easy walking distance of the resort. The resort pools are lined with concrete and maintain an average temperature of around 100 degrees Fahrenheit year-round.

Things to do at Mono Springs

Fishing in San Joaquin River or Mono Creek. Both rainbow and brown trout can be caught in the local waters. Brook and Golden Trout can be found in the smaller streams and lakes in the backcountry.

Hiking is widespread, with Doris Lake only a one-mile hike from the resort. More adventurous hikers, Corbett, Givens, and Cunningham Lakes are within a five-mile walk.

Off-roading. There are miles of forest service and logging roads in the area. Most are 4-wheel drive only; they can take you to some fantastic regions not accessible by the family car.

Swimming. Both Doris Lake and Tule Lake are popular swimming destinations. The spring-fed water is cold but feels great on a hot summer day. They are about one mile from Mono Hot Springs Resort.

Camping & Cabins Mono Hot Springs

Mono Hot Springs is within day-trip distance of Fresno. If you are traveling from Los Angeles or San Francisco, plan to enjoy this trip for at least two days. The campground is adjacent to the San Joaquin River. It usually opens for about four months a year and fills up quickly. Make a reservation, or you may not find a spot.

The campground and cabins are popular choices for overnight stays and tend to get fully booked early, particularly the historic Stone Cabins. It’s worth noting that none of the cabins have telephones or televisions, and no electrical outlets are available. Cellular network connectivity can sometimes be spotty, but internet access at the general store is free, so you won’t be entirely cut off from the world.

Where to Eat Momo Hot Springs

The only dining option available at the Resort is the River Rock Cafe. You may bring your own food or purchase supplies from the general store. However, keep in mind that the prices at the general store are quite high. It would be wise to stock up on supplies in Fresno before driving up Highway 168.

Getting There

Mono Hot Springs is on the west side of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, about 70 miles from Fresno, California. Directions from Fresno take Highway 168 toward Huntington Lake. From Huntington Lake, watch for the large Mono Hot Springs exit sign on Highway 168 just before the community of Lakeshore. The last chance to fill up the gas tank is here. Travel 16 miles along Kaiser Pass Road to the resort.

The last 12 miles of Kaiser Pass Road is narrow and, for the most part, one-lane. This road has twisty sections and steep drop-offs and is not for the faint. The road is paved and can be easily traveled in a passenger car during the summer. Mono Hot Springs Resort is usually open from early June through early September. Cabin reservations can only be made by phone at 559-325-1710 or through the resort Website.

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Benton Hot Springs

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Grover Hot Springs State Park

Grover Hot Springs State Park is a 553-acre park established in 1959. It features a pool built in the 1950s that contains hot spring water. On a cold winter’s day, visitors can relax and soak in the greenish-colored waters that refract the mineral deposits on the pool’s bottom. Grover Hot Springs State Park is approximately 120 miles east of Sacramento on US-50.

Tecopa Hot Springs Near Death Valley

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