Fales Hot Springs
By the HotSpringsFind editorial team · How we compile records · Reviewed September 2026
Historic resort spring right off US-395 at Sonora Junction ~15 mi NW of Bridgeport — but it is a private residence with No Trespassing signs; there is NO legal public soaking. The ~180F source and old buildings are off-limits; a small rock-walled roadside runoff pool has been used informally for years but that is trespassing and not condoned.
Field notes — checked January 2026
- Hazard: Scalding ~180F source water
- Hazard: Trespassing enforcement
- Hazard: Highway pull-off on fast US-395
- Hazard: Ticks and algae at runoff pool
- Private residence — No Trespassing signs posted; source area and historic buildings off-limits
- Source water ~180F — can scald on contact
- Roadside runoff pool (~65-95F seasonally) is still on the private parcel; access 'not guaranteed and can change with ownership'
- Algae and ticks reported at the runoff pool
- No facilities, no parking area — US-395 shoulder pull-off only, fast traffic
- Better public alternative nearby: Travertine Hot Springs (BLM) south of Bridgeport
Current status
Historic resort spring right off US-395 at Sonora Junction ~15 mi NW of Bridgeport — but it is a private residence with No Trespassing signs; there is NO legal public soaking. The ~180F source and old buildings are off-limits; a small rock-walled roadside runoff pool has been used informally for years but that is trespassing and not condoned.
Checked January 2026 · based on recent visitor reports · 4 sources ↓
About this spring
Historic hot spring site on US-395 at Sonora Junction ~15 miles northwest of Bridgeport — a stage stop and resort from the 1860s until a 1952 explosion destroyed it. Now a PRIVATE RESIDENCE, not open to the public; source water ~180°F. No Trespassing posted. Source scalding. Not open to the public.
Fales Hot Springs is a hot spring in the Sonora Junction area of Mono County, eastern California. The property is privately owned, doubling as a personal residence, and is not open to the public. It is located in the eastern Sierra Nevada, at an elevation of 7,319 feet (2,231 m). It is 15 miles (24 km) northwest of Bridgeport on U.S. Route 395.
Text from the Wikipedia article “Fales 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) | 180°F |
|---|---|
| Trail access | Recorded coordinates — access unverified |
| Access fee | Unknown — verify locally |
| Geothermal data reference | NOAA Thermal Springs List (1980 archive) |
| Check land status | Private land — contact the owner/manager for permission |
Fales Hot Springs FAQ
Is Fales Hot Springs open right now?
Historic resort spring right off US-395 at Sonora Junction ~15 mi NW of Bridgeport — but it is a private residence with No Trespassing signs; there is NO legal public soaking. The ~180F source and old buildings are off-limits; a small rock-walled roadside runoff pool has been used informally for years but that is trespassing and not condoned. (Status based on recent visitor reports, last checked January 2026.)
Can I soak at Fales Hot Springs?
Historic resort spring right off US-395 at Sonora Junction ~15 mi NW of Bridgeport — but it is a private residence with No Trespassing signs; there is NO legal public soaking. The ~180F source and old buildings are off-limits; a small rock-walled roadside runoff pool has been used informally for years but that is trespassing and not condoned.
Where can I check access to Fales Hot Springs?
Check Wikipedia — Fales Hot Springs (private ownership, not open to public, elevation/location): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fales_Hot_Springs
Sources & references
- Wikipedia — Fales Hot Springs (private ownership, not open to public, elevation/location) — community · 2026
- CA Travel Times — 'Fales Hot Springs, Mono County: Updated Guide 2026' (private property, runoff pool details, ticks/algae) — community · 2026
- NVTami blog — Fales Station Hot Springs history (resort ceased operations; private property, do not visit without permission) — community · 2025-05
- Hot Springs Locator — Fales Hot Springs (no public access, No Trespassing posted) — community · 2025
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