California South
WARNING: There seems to be lots of confusion between Bowen Ranch and Deep Creek Hot Springs. Bowen Ranch has no hot springs, but it is a popular parking and camping area reputed to have the best access point to the Deep Creek Hot Springs.
a cluster of outdoor hot springs, primative.
clothing optional
fee: $0 for Deep Creek hot springs. Nearby Bowen Ranch charges $5 Overnight Camping and $4 per person day parking.
shelter: no camping in canyon, but avail nearby at Bowen Ranch (day parking or overnight camping), Silverwood Lake and Lake Arrowhead. First come first serve.
food: none (recommend bringing water)
payment accepted: free (except for parking and camping at Bowen Ranch… cash only I assume).
massage: none
temperature: 105 degree
address: none, see USGS Lake Arrowhead, CA quadrangle (7.5 minute scale). 16 mi east of Hesperia.
phone: none
email: none
notes: Though popular it’s pretty pristine. Several pools clustered in an isolated high desert Canyon, 6 mile gradual hike or a steep 2 mi one. Avoid short trail during high water levels (spring) lest you get swept away by a suddenly rising river. To hike short trail, park at private ranch for a fee.
Directions:
Free parking:
From Interstate 15 take the Hesperia exit, and turn east onto Main St. Follow Main St. for about 8 mi. to a Y and Rock Srings Road. Go right on Rock Springs Rd. for about 1.8 miles to Deep Creek Road, and turn right. Follow Deep Creek Rd. until it turns to dirt. Then look for the dam and head for the southeast side of it. Park where you can and walk to the top of the dam along its paved service road. The 6 mi. hike trailhead is to the left when facing the inside portion of the dam. A small metal sign on the side of the hill marks where the trailhead begins. The trail goes uphill steeply for the first few hundred yards, then levels out. Follow the trail for 6 miles, crossing the creek on a bridge after 2 miles. The trail leads right to the spring.
Via Bowen Ranch parking lot:
To take the steeper, 2 mi trail take Rock Spring Road at the Y and go left. Follow Rock Spring Rd. about 2.8 miles to Roundup Way, then turn right. Take Roundup Rd. about 4.2 miles to Bowen Ranch Road and turn right again. Follow this graded dirt road for 5.5 miles to the ranch itself and the parking area. Someone is often there to collect a parking fee and direct people to the trailhead. Often steep and slippery.
To access Deep Creek Hot Springs via Bowen Ranch:
From the L.A. Metropolitan area, take Interstate I-15 north up to the high desert community of Apple Valley California. Exit off I-15 onto Bear Valley Road and head east for 10 miles. Turn right onto Central Avenue heading south for 3-miles. Turn left onto Ocotillo Way heading east once again for 2.8-miles to Bowen Ranch Road. Turn right and follow Bowen Ranch about another 7 miles or so to where it ends. You’ll see what appears to be an old historic rustic structure and tollgate displaying a stop sign.
Once at the tollgate, run off motor and read the easy to follow directions posted on the front door if no one is present. If your intentions are just to visit the hot springs for the day, have $4 on hand for the day time parking fee. If this a first-time visit, take Bowen Ranch Flyer lying by the front door steps where the envelopes are. There is a map and other information to read / view on the flyer.
Please see extensive comments for more directions and details.
Links:
deepcreekvolunteers@hotmail.com – Deep Creek Volunteers ( DCV ) “we created an information brochure that has been approved by the USFS for distribution at DCHS, or elsewhere. We meet on the last Saturday of every month at DCHS at 1PM to discuss possible projects, hand out brochures, and do clean up and repairs of existing hot pools.” Van
