First person Experience
Watching las light disappear behind the Sawtooth mountains, Kristin and I snuggled. Tired from a long day of shooting (we were shooting a catalog release for Coghlan’s), we didn’t want to drive back to Tahoe. So, we found a camping spot along a quaint creek, ate some dinner, and made an ambitious plan to dip in Travertine Hot Spring for a sunrise soak, while enjoying the warmth of a fire.
Beep Beep Beep Beep
The morning alarm went off, it was time to get up. “Okay, it’s time! Let’s go!” I said.
“UUHHH! Do we have to? It is cold!” Kristin responds.
“You said this was a dream of yours, let’s get it!”
“Okay… will you make coffee?”
“Sadly, we don’t have time.”
“UHHHH”
Kristin enjoys the sunrise view while soaking in Travertine hot spring near Bridgeport, CA. Photograph by Dalton Johnson
Even though we both didn’t want to, we crawled out from under the covers and got ready. The van felt very cold! We tried to start the heater, but the propane was out. Starting the van and running the heater, I took down the window coverings.
EVERYTHING WAS FROZEN. The windshield and windows were coated, on the inside, with frost! Sometimes, living vanlife can be difficult. Times like these, you are just camping in a metal tent with a bed. However, the lifestyle has done well for me since 2016, so I am not complaining.
As the windshield melted, we got dressed and mentally prepared for the dip.
Driving a short ways, we were warmed up, but once we parked a little bit of internal regret overtook me. It was going to be cold. The van’s thermostat read 18f outside. While I might be a warm blooded California kid, I think 18f is cold for anyone! Especially knowing you are going to be in a swim suit.
Sucking it up, I put my big boy pants on— mainly to avoid being left behind by Kristin—and head to the hot spring. It was my first time here, I didn’t know what to expect and I was blown away. The landscape was cloaked in a orange glow as the light danced down the mountains and across the fields in the distance. Staring out from the warmths of the hot spring, I was proud that we persevered.
Driving directions to Travertine Hot Springs: Travertine Hot Springs, Bridgeport, CA 93517
Free camping near Travertine Hot Spring in Bridgeport, CA. Photograph by Dalton Johnson
Pro Tips when Visiting Travertine:
Free Camping Near Travertine Hot Spring
The land surrounding the thermal springs is Forest Service Land, so you can legally camp for free in any of the pullouts along the back roads. It is primitive camping, with no facilities of any kind, so be prepared to be self-contained. Arrive late afternoon, set up camp, and walk a half-mile for a sunset soak.
Rise Early and Have Travertine to yourself
Rise before daybreak to enjoy the empty pool of your choice before anyone has even turned over in bed. It’ll be all yours for those precious few hours.
Cold Soak and rinse off in clean rivers close by
Make time for a cold soak in any of the nearby rivers (you’ll have to drive) to avoid any issues with bacteria infections. While these are very rare, they are easily avoided with a rinse!
FAQ about travertine hot springs
CAN YOU SWIM IN TRAVERTINE HOT SPRINGS?
Travertine hot springs are a wonderful grouping a naturally occurring hot springs in the Eastern Sierra perfect for soaking and swimming. Some of the pools have been dug out to be made larger, but overall the pools are waist deep and 5-10 feet in diameter. Since there are several pools you can typically find a pool to yourself to swim, or soak, in.
CAN YOU SOAK NAKED IN TRAVERTINE HOT SPRINGS?
When you visit the Travertine Hot Springs in Bridgeport you can soak naked. There will be a mix of clothed and nude soakers, so please be respectful of the company you are in. There is an unspoken ethic, if you are arriving to a pool with clothed people, and you want to soak naked, to ask before stripping naked. This is out of respect. However, if you arrive to a hot spring and have it to yourself, you make the rules!
HOW MANY HOT SPRINGS ARE THERE AT TRAVERTINE HOT SPRINGS?
Travertine Hot Springs has several, 11 pools, that you can soak in. The main pool is immediately in the parking lot, but there are paths which will take you to a grouping of four pools a short walk away. Additionally, there are more pools if you take the path starting behind the bathroom, I like these pools best. In total, I know of 11 pools that are enjoyable to soak in at Travertine Hot Springs.
In the distance while soaking at Travertine you will see the Sawtooth sub-range of the Eastern Sierra mountains. Photograph by Dalton Johnson
If you are up for an adventure, I have heard that there are more pools hidden in the landscape, so if you are up for a challenge, go find one!
ARE TRAVERTINE HOT SPRINGS OPEN DURING THE WINTER?
The Travertine Hot Springs in Bridgeport do not close and remain open for every season. These year round pools are an excelent way to relieve soar muscles after a long day in the mountains. Visiting Travertine Hot Springs during the winter is a great time because you will rarely find other soakers, meaning you will have pool of your choice.
Note: If there is bacteria outbreak, the pools will be closed. This does not happen often.
IS THERE A BATHROOM AT TRAVERTINE HOT SPRINGS?
There is a bathroom at the main parking lot of Travertine Hot Spring. This bathroom is a pit toilet and often has toilet paper. However, I suggest bringing your own toilet paper just in case. There is no way to wash your hands, so bring some hand sanitizer.
