Delonegha Hot Springs
By the HotSpringsFind editorial team · How we compile records · Reviewed September 2026
Historic Kern River canyon spring off Hwy 178 SW of Lake Isabella — ~112F water still runs through old concrete tubs on a rock peninsula ~100 yd down a steep trail, but the parcel is fenced private property (an inholding inside Sequoia National Forest boundaries) with owners typically on-site; treat as look-don't-trespass.
Field notes — checked August 2026
- Hazard: Trespassing on fenced private property with owners usually present
- Hazard: Steep trail descent from Hwy 178
- Hazard: 112F water can burn; Kern River flows alongside
- Hazard: Hwy 178 canyon rockfall/traffic hazard at pullouts
- PRIVATE PROPERTY, fenced — multiple regional sources (KernValley, Kern River Rafting, forum trip reports) agree the springs are not open to the public; 'presumed property owners are typically here'
- Don't confuse with the free USFS Delonegha River Access Boating Site ~0.6 mi away (day-use sunrise-sunset, vault toilet, raft put-in, 6-ft leash, no camping, no fee) — that's the legal public access on this stretch
- Springs sit ~100 yd down a steep dirt trail from Hwy 178 on river right; water ~112F in remaining cement tubs
- History: homestead tubs → 1898 hotel/boarding house resort → closed ~1912 when the canyon road was built on the far bank → USFS destroyed the old bathtubs June 1977 as a safety measure → private parcel today
- Oct 2024 community post shows visitors still reach/photograph the site — but access is trespass on private land
- Nearby legal alternatives on the same corridor: Remington Hot Springs (free, maintained tubs), Miracle (destroyed), Democrat, Hobo, Sandy Flat campground
Current status
Historic Kern River canyon spring off Hwy 178 SW of Lake Isabella — ~112F water still runs through old concrete tubs on a rock peninsula ~100 yd down a steep trail, but the parcel is fenced private property (an inholding inside Sequoia National Forest boundaries) with owners typically on-site; treat as look-don't-trespass.
Checked August 2026 · based on recent visitor reports · 7 sources ↓
About this spring
Primitive cement-and-tile soaking tubs on the Kern River off CA-178 in Sequoia NF canyon country — source ~123°F cascades through several tubs at 100-120°F; site of a homesteaded 1886 resort. Access contested — tubs sit on posted private property; stay on the river side within the high-water mark.
Delonegha Hot Springs are located in Kern County, California, United States, northeast of the city of Bakersfield and southwest of Lake Isabella. Delonegha is one of several hot springs adjacent to the Kern River and State Route 178. The springs lie within the boundaries of Sequoia National Forest, "100 yd (91 m) down a steep dirt trail" from the highway. Except for a brief period in the first years of the 20th century when there was a small resort at the site, the Delonegha springs have remained largely undeveloped.
Text from the Wikipedia article “Delonegha Hot Springs”, available under CC BY-SA.
Directions & trailhead access
Access is restricted; do not use historical directions to plan a visit.
California geothermal context
California spans several geothermal provinces: the volcanic Cascades and Modoc Plateau in the northeast, Sierra Nevada granite seeps along the eastern front, Mojave and Colorado Desert springs in the south, and the famously mineral-rich Big Sur coast. Fire season (roughly June–November) closes access to many backcountry springs without warning — always check for current fire restrictions.
What a private-access site means here
This spring is on private property. Listing it documents the location's existence — it is not an invitation. Visiting requires explicit owner permission, and some sites are accessible only through memberships, hosted events, or arrangements with the land manager. Do not arrive unannounced.
Fact sheet
| Source temp (historical) | Not reported |
|---|---|
| Trail access | Recorded coordinates — access unverified |
| Access fee | Reported free — verify locally |
| Geothermal data reference | NOAA Thermal Springs List (1980 archive) |
| Check land status | Private land — contact the owner/manager for permission |
Delonegha Hot Springs FAQ
Is Delonegha Hot Springs open right now?
Historic Kern River canyon spring off Hwy 178 SW of Lake Isabella — ~112F water still runs through old concrete tubs on a rock peninsula ~100 yd down a steep trail, but the parcel is fenced private property (an inholding inside Sequoia National Forest boundaries) with owners typically on-site; treat as look-don't-trespass. (Status based on recent visitor reports, last checked August 2026.)
Can I soak at Delonegha Hot Springs?
Historic Kern River canyon spring off Hwy 178 SW of Lake Isabella — ~112F water still runs through old concrete tubs on a rock peninsula ~100 yd down a steep trail, but the parcel is fenced private property (an inholding inside Sequoia National Forest boundaries) with owners typically on-site; treat as look-don't-trespass.
Where can I check access to Delonegha Hot Springs?
Check USFS Sequoia NF — Delonegha River Access Boating Site (nearby legal day-use site; hours, leash, no fee): https://www.fs.usda.gov/r05/sequoia/recreation/delonegha-river-access-boating-site
Sources & references
- Wikipedia — Delonegha Hot Springs (SNF boundaries; 1977 USFS bathtub removal; ownership history) — community · 2026
- USFS Sequoia NF — Delonegha River Access Boating Site (nearby legal day-use site; hours, leash, no fee) — official · 2026
- GoRafting — 2026 Kern River Hot Springs guide ('accessibility in question... private or public') + Lower Kern Delonegha page — community · 2026
- SoakingSprings — Delonegha Hot Springs (112F, roadside, 'public access not recorded', updated Aug 2026) — community · 2026-08
- KernValley.com — Kern River hot springs guide ('This private property is fenced') — community · 2020
- Kern River Rafting — Seven Kern River Hot Springs ('private property... likely not open') — community · 2021-06
- Reddit r/HotSpringsWest via search index — 'Finally got to Delonegha Hot Springs' photo post (Oct 2024) — community · 2024-10
Additional references for this record; a source link does not guarantee current conditions.
Details above were verified against the named sources on their listed dates — conditions change, so recheck before traveling. · How we verify our data · Report a correction