Deep Creek Hot Springs is a good place to get away for a day and feel re-nude from the pressures of everyday life. You might even want to make it a weekend if you’re tough enough to handle some primitive camping. Naturally hot water bubbles up from the ground and runs into Deep Creek, a large stream (at least for Southern California) that flows from Lake Arrowhead down into the high desert. It’s only an hour or two from the frenzy of LA, but a million miles away in attitude.

Deep Creek Hot Springs Full Report

The easiest and fastest way to get there is start at the Bowen Ranch. Check out our directions for details. It’s a dirt road, but your car will make it if you drive slow and pay attention. Pay the guy in the old ranch house $5 per person at the gate and he’ll tell you where to park. It’s a 2 mile hike (all downhill) to Deep Creek and the hot springs. Before you make it a day of naked drunken debauchery, remember it’s also a 2 mile hike (all uphill) back to your car.

The trail is on the private ranch, and US National Forest so if you’re into it, strip off your clothes at the trail and experience a great nude hike to Deep Creek Hot springs. Good shoes are a must as the trail is sometimes steep and covered with loose gravel. The trail ends with a steep descent to the creek. There’s lots of sandy areas to set up camp, get out of your clothes(unless you’re already naked) and into the water.

Depending on the time of year you visit the water in the regular creek ranges from very comfortable to ice cold. Good news is that the hot springs are warm all year long.

Nudity is common, but not everyone is nude. But the nude and the not nude mingle happily and share this little desert oasis. Just depends on your own comfort level. But if you’re visiting this website, you know you’re gonna get naked fast. Enjoy it. Obviously you’re going to get in the hot pools. Some industrious visitors have taken some natural rock pools, and added a few other rocks and a bit of mortar to create a few nude soaking pools big enough to hold 6 – 8 people (more if it’s a party crowd). They’re warm, comfortable and relaxing – and there are a few different ones so you can pick the temperature that’s just right for you. The water is crystal clear and the mood is mellow.

From some of the pools you can jump off the rocks into the creek. Closer to the pools the water in the creek is warm. It cools the further you get away, but in summer you can swim everywhere with comfort. Don’t miss swimming nude into the little bay where a pipe sends hot water into an outdoor hot water shower. You’re gonna love it!

The TTDN team have been a few times and found a crowd of 25 – 30 people. A few old guys who seem to hang out under the trees. A few party animals downing the beer really fast, and a collection of other young, old, men, women, gay, straight, etc. Everyone gets along so don’t worry who’s there, and just get into the fun, relaxation and energy of being naked in one of nature’s great creations – natural hot springs and fresh water in the California Desert.

Facilities

Once you leave the community of Hesperia and its endless strip malls and fast food restaurants, you won’t see another bathroom. Or running water. Bring everything with you, including lots of water. This is the desert and the sun is intense, the air is dry and you’ve got 4 miles of hiking. Any person if reasonable shape can do it, but you need to plan ahead. Camping is allowed at Bowen Ranch, but prohibited at the Hot Springs. People do it, but if the rangers drop in, you’re busted.

What to Bring

Water, and lots of it. Even if you’re like the TTDN team and pack a few beers in the ice chest, you’ll want lots of water to stay hydrated. A towel, a backpack chair which is what the TTDN team brings, it's light weight and carries everything you will need also a Garmin Forerunner saved our ass from taking the wrong trail and getting lost, get one here, a camera for capturing the magic, and some food so you can spend the whole day. Much of the creek is shallow enough to play Frisbee, and naked Frisbee is definitely something we recommend. In places the creek is very deep. An inflatable air mattress (one of the $4.99varieties from Target) could come in handy if you just want to lounge naked in the warm water and drift around.

Remember to pack out EVERYTHING you bring in. There are no trash cans and unless you brought your mom (which would be really strange to do) nobody is going to pick up your trash.

Directions

Directions to Deep Creek Hot Springs via Bowen Ranch

Notes: For best vehicle security, if it is a concern to you, park at the ranch house. It is only a third-of-a-mile longer hike. Although very rare, the ranch hands acknowledge that a few vehicles (away from the ranch house) have been broken into over the past decade. WANR members have never had, nor personally know of anyone, who has had any problems, so we feel that such problems are extremely isolated.

Vandalism however is a concern for those parking near the Mojave River for those joining the Pacific Crest Trail for the hike to Deep Creek Hot Springs from the west. Should you elect to park there, we suggest you return prior to dark.

Those who study a detailed Hesperia map will see that one can also reach Bowen Ranch Road by taking Main Street and then zigzagging on numerous roads. Although Bear Valley Road is 3 miles north of Main Street, time wise, Bear Valley is just as fast as Main Street which has more traffic lights and greater traffic. Bear Valley is less developed, yet offers fuel stations, fast foods, markets and other amenities.

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.