California

Wild Willy's (Crowley) Hot Springs - Hot Springs in California

06/17/2021

This is by far the largest of natural hot springs in Long Valley Caldera.

A boardwalk on the muddy plain leads soakers to the hot springs.

You can enter anytime

Numerous hot springs that exist inside the Long Valley Caldera, California, are generally small, and people may be hesitant to soak if there is a prior soaker.

Entrance

The only exception could be Wild Willy's.

Even if the hot spring you are looking for is packed, it is a great place to adjust your time because it is large enough.

Dirt Road

From Benton Crossing Road, enter the dirt road to the east.

The road was well maintained and easy to pass.

Gate

Once the small rocky hill comes into view, it is impossible to miss the large parking lot.

Park your car and start the short hike of 0.2 miles one way.

Boardwalk 1

Inside the caldera, the ground was loose as it grazed by Crowley Lake, which was a low marsh.

A fine, easy-to-walk boardwalk led to the hot springs.

Pond

On a windless day, a spectacular mirrored view can be seen on the right.

Right hot springs

The boardwalk came to an end at the hot springs.

Boardwalk 2

Large pools were formed on the right side of the path.

Let me call this the right hot springs for convenience.

Muddy 3

Looking across the boardwalk from the right hot springs, I found a small rocky hill.

There was another pool at the foot of it, which I would call the left hot spring.

Water temp

Active geothermal activity was observed in the right hot springs.

Water temp here was 106 degrees F.

Muddy 1

The water was tasteless and odorless.

The surrounding area was terribly muddy.

Muddy 2

If you are not careful, you will not only get your shoes covered in mud, but also fall over and get covered in mud all over.

Largest Pool 1

Even if the area is pool-like and suitable for soaking, be prepared to get a little dirty as the bottom is natural mud.

Largest Pool 3

This is a drawback that differentiates it from other wild hot springs in this area.

Still, the experience of soaking in a huge pool in the great outdoors was irreplaceable.

Largest Pool 4

The hot water flowed out as a stream.

Hot Creek 2

There were many small fish swimming in the waterways in this area.

Alpaca
Alpaca
Fish like hot springs, too.
They will be boiled!
Capybara
Capybara
Hot Creek 1

Left hot spring

The left hot spring was small and can hold around 5 people.

The geothermal activity here was calm and quiet.

Smaller Pool 2

The water appeared to be cloudy.

Among the always crowded hot springs in the Long Valley Caldera, Wild Willy's seemed to be the most soaker-friendly of them all.

Smaller Pool 1

Summary

Wild Willy's (Crowley) Hot Springs, Mammoth Lakes, California, U.S.

My rating

Type: Undeveloped

Rule: Clothing optional

Chemical use: No

Water temp: Up to 106 degrees F

  • Writer

Hot Springer Ken

A hot spring enthusiast based in Japan. Toured over 300 North American hot springs while working in Texas from 2016 to 2022. For updates, visit X or Instagram!

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