An RV park that offers free-flowing water, which is rare for a large-scale facility.
What is it actually like?
Hot Springs for the Whole Family
A drive of just under two hours from L.A.
Desert Hot Springs, California, is home to numerous spas and is one of the cities in the United States with the closest access to thermal springs.
On the other hand, the area has many facilities that are disappointing for hot spring enthusiasts.
Some of the springs are so full of chlorine that their original water quality is completely unknown.
Sam's Family Spa is located in a corner of the desert about 10 minutes east of downtown Desert Hot Springs.
The area is dotted with large spas that are set in residential and vacation home developments, and Sam's Family Spa is one of them.
The parking lot and office were located in the middle of a residential area lined with tiny houses.
I bought a one-day wristband at the office/general store.
The fee is $25.00 on weekdays and $30.00 on weekends (at the time of writing).
Clothing is required in the soaking area, surrounded by a fence.
When I entered the changing room building, I found a sauna room.
The shower room and changing room had an old-fashioned atmosphere.
Built in 1971, Sam's Family Spa is, as the name suggests, designed for families.
You can observe wildlife with your children, sit quietly by the lake, or soak in the geothermal springs.
Perhaps because the concept was clear from the beginning, there was no sign of extensive renovation, and the old-fashioned appearance was felt to be quaint.
There was one large, curved pool outdoors, and one circular, smaller pool under the gazebo.
Both were treated with chlorine.
Miraculous Free-flowing Water
The essence of the Sam's Family Spa is in its four small partially enclosed pools, and the facility itself emphasizes this.
These pools are fed directly from the sources, and no chemicals are added.
At the many facilities of Desert Hot Springs, you can see free-flowing water in tubs that can be reserved for private use; but it is extremely rare to see it in pools that can be used by large numbers of people due to legal restrictions.
It is no exaggeration to say that it is a miracle that such a large facility offers such free-flowing water.
A sufficient amount of water was poured in from the surface of the pool, which had a stair-like bottom.
Water temp at 108 degrees F.
The colorless, odorless, and tasteless hot spring water flows from three different sources.
When I closed my eyes and concentrated, it was clear that the water had the characteristic of being soft to the touch.
Now, feeling all better, I decided to take a walk.
To the south of the small pools was an artificial lake, around which birds were kept in cages.
Perhaps the excess thermal water accumulated in the lake and filled it with such abundant water that it was easy to forget that I was in a desert area.
Summary
Sam's Family Spa & RV Resort, Desert Hot Springs, California, U.S.
My rating
Type: Lodging, Walk-in
Rule: Clothing required
Chemical use: Partly yes
Water temp: Up to 108 degrees F
