Keough's Hot Springs Resort
By the HotSpringsFind editorial team · How we compile records · Reviewed September 2026
Keough's Hot Springs Resort is a resort hot spring listed near Bishop, California. Reported soak temperature: 104°F. See the visit fact sheet.
Stop on Highway 395 Hot Springs — see all stops, ordered south to north.
Current status
Historic (est. 1919) developed resort 7 mi south of Bishop off US-395 with the Eastern Sierra's largest natural hot-springs pool plus a hotter soaking pool; open Wed-Mon, CLOSED TUESDAYS, ~11am-6pm weekdays / 9am-6pm weekends; day use $14 adult, $10 child 3-12, $5 under-2.
Checked September 2026 · verified on the operator’s site · 5 sources ↓
Staying overnight?
An overnight stop on the southern US-395 leg, including visits to Keough’s.
Bishop is about 7 mi from the spring (straight line).
We may earn a commission from bookings through these links, at no extra cost to you.
Before you go
- Status: Open — last verified below — confirm via Keough's Hot Springs — official site (winter hours, Tue closure, aerobics).
- Cost: Reported $14/adult — confirm current rates before visiting.
- Getting there: Developed resort — confirm operating hours and any reservation requirement.
- Water: Reported soak temperature 104°F — always test the water before entering.
- Rules: Reported clothing required; reported dog-friendly.
- Conditions: check weather, fire closures, and land-manager alerts the week you go — mountain access changes seasonally.
- Reservations/permits: None for day use — pay at gate; groups 10+ call 760-872-4670 ahead.
- Best time to go: Weekday mornings right at opening; weekends draw Bishop locals. Winter midweek is quietest.
- Clothing reality: Official: swimsuit venue (family resort). Customary: suits only inside resort fence; the free 'Hot Ditch' outside the fence is unofficial — suits customary but not enforced. Legal: venue policy inside; ditch is on public-ish land, clothing-optional tolerated historically.
- Kids: Allowed.
- Cell service: ok — download maps and tell someone your plan.
- Accessibility: Developed pool deck with lounge chairs, snack bar, picnic area; no explicit wheelchair-entry claim — call ahead.
- CLOSED TUESDAYS year-round — the single most common wasted-drive mistake
- Day use does NOT include camping — pool entry is separate from campsite fees
- Campsites: W/E $45/nt, dry $40/nt (max 6 people + 1 vehicle; extra vehicle $10)
- Rustic tent cabins $179.20/nt all-in for 2 — includes 2 pool entries, shower tokens, towels, firewood
- Shower tokens needed for campers — bring quarters/tokens per tent-cabin description
- 10-swim passes: $110 adult / $75 child; monthly pass $100
- Water aerobics classes Mon & Thu 6:30-7:30pm plus weekday mornings (~$8 extra)
- Lap lanes up weekdays except holidays/school-vacation days
- Hours 'subject to change' — check their Facebook before driving out
- FREE alternative: Keough Hot Ditch just outside the resort fence — free daylight-hours soaking in the runoff channel
- Hazard: Big pool is lukewarm-warm (~86-92F); only the smaller soaking pool is genuinely hot (~104F) — manage expectations
- Hazard: Snack bar seasonal/limited — bring food
- Hazard: Summer desert sun exposure on deck
About this spring
Established 1919 — the Eastern Sierra's largest natural hot springs pool complex, fed by ~600 gpm of 127°F geothermal water: a 100x40 ft pool at 86-92°F plus a 104°F soaking pool. Distinct from the free Keough Hot Ditch pools outside the fence. Fee: Day use $14/adult, $10/child 3-12, $5 under 2; 10-swim pass $110. Don't confuse with the free 'Hot Ditch' runoff pools downstream.
The springs at Keough emerge on the west side of the Owens Valley seven miles south of Bishop at about 4,200 feet, where Paiute people long considered the waters sacred. After the valley's late-1800s settlement the land passed through ranching hands before Philip P. Keough — a Bishop pioneer, former Wells Fargo stage superintendent, and owner of the City Market — bought the property in 1919 and built it into a complete health resort. Through the 1920s and '30s Keough's was the Owens Valley's social hub: visitors soaked, fished, dined and danced, and the grounds hosted holiday picnics, boxing matches, and outings from nearby CCC camps.
The City of Los Angeles bought the property in 1926 during its Owens Valley water-rights acquisitions, and absentee Department of Water and Power management sent the resort into decline — the pool closed to the public in 1934, later reopened under lessees, and became a members-only club in 1985. The Brown family of Bishop purchased it in 1998 and restored public operations; a ~127°F source still feeds the large warm pool and hotter soaking pool.
Directions & trailhead access
800 Keough Hot Springs Rd — 7 mi south of Bishop off US-395.
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 resort site means here
A resort spring is a commercial operation: developed pools or tubs with controlled temperatures, changing facilities, and usually day-use fees or lodging packages. Expect posted rules (swimsuits, quiet hours, age limits), staff on site, and in many cases required reservations — especially on weekends and holidays.
Best time to visit
Year-Round (Best: May – October)Pool temperatures and access can change with weather and season. Outdoor ambient temperatures fluctuate significantly across California. Late spring through autumn offers the most comfortable road access.
Fact sheet
| Reported soak temp | 104°F |
|---|---|
| Source temp (historical) | 104°F |
| Trail access | Recorded coordinates — access unverified |
| Access fee | Reported $14/adult — verify |
| Clothing policy | Reported clothing required |
| Pet policy | Reported dog-friendly |
| Geothermal data reference | NOAA Thermal Springs List (1980 archive) |
| Check land status | Keough's Hot Springs — official site (winter hours, Tue closure, aerobics) |
Keough's Hot Springs Resort FAQ
Is Keough's Hot Springs Resort open right now?
Historic (est. 1919) developed resort 7 mi south of Bishop off US-395 with the Eastern Sierra's largest natural hot-springs pool plus a hotter soaking pool; open Wed-Mon, CLOSED TUESDAYS, ~11am-6pm weekdays / 9am-6pm weekends; day use $14 adult, $10 child 3-12, $5 under-2. (Status verified on the operator’s site, last checked September 2026.)
Is Keough's Hot Springs Resort free?
Keough's Hot Springs Resort is listed with reported fees near Bishop. Fees are reported; confirm admission, parking and permit costs with the site manager.
What temperature is Keough's Hot Springs Resort?
Keough's Hot Springs Resort has a reported soak temperature of 104°F and a historical source temperature of 104°F in survey records. Historical data may not reflect current conditions — always test water before entering.
Is Keough's Hot Springs Resort clothing optional?
Keough's Hot Springs Resort is listed as swimsuit-required in directory records. Confirm current rules before visiting, as policies change.
How do you access Keough's Hot Springs Resort?
Keough's Hot Springs Resort is a private venue with paid public admission. Confirm current hours, fees and booking requirements with the operator before visiting.
Where to stay in Bishop
An overnight stop on the southern US-395 leg, including visits to Keough’s. Spring entry is separate from a town room.
Bishop is about 7 mi from the spring (straight line).
We may earn a commission from bookings through these links, at no extra cost to you.
Sources & references
- Keough's Hot Springs — official site (winter hours, Tue closure, aerobics) — operator · 2026
- Keough's Hot Springs — official lodging/rates page ($14 adult day use, campsite and tent-cabin rates, pool hours) — operator · 2026
- CATravelTimes — 'Keough's Hot Springs, Bishop CA: Updated Guide 2026' (free Hot Ditch outside fence, gate-pay details) — community · 2026
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
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