Quick FactsOverview
About Benton Hot Springs
Benton Hot Springs, California is a paid rustic hot springs resort in Mono County, located approximately 4 miles west of the town of Benton on California State Route 120, at an elevation of 5,630 feet in the Eastern Sierra. The resort offers 13 private hot tub sites, each with a natural spring-fed soaking tub, picnic table, and fire pit for tent or RV use, as well as inn rooms and rental properties with private tubs. Hot spring access is included with overnight stays, and the resort is open year-round.
The natural springs produce water at approximately 140 degrees Fahrenheit, which is piped to individual tubs where it cools to soaking temperatures of 98 to 108 degrees. Each tub is fed with fresh, untreated mineral water. The resort covers 1,225 acres of high desert ranch land with the White Mountains as a backdrop, and roughly 70 percent of the land is protected under conservation easements held by the Eastern Sierra Land Trust and Mono County.
The site has a documented history stretching from indigenous use of the springs through a mining era beginning in the 1860s. Preserved historic buildings remain on the property. The resort has been operated by the Bramlette family since 1928 and sits among hot springs in California most accessible from Bishop to the south.
Location & Access
Getting to Benton Hot Springs
Benton Hot Springs is reached from Bishop by driving approximately 34 miles north on US Highway 6 to the town of Benton, then turning west on California State Route 120 and continuing approximately 3.8 miles to the resort entrance on the right. The total drive from Bishop takes approximately 45 minutes. Roads are paved to the entrance and any standard vehicle can make the journey under normal conditions.
Visitors should note that CA-120 west from Mono Lake toward Benton Hot Springs can be closed during winter snow events. The resort recommends not relying solely on GPS or cell phone navigation apps for routing, as these sometimes direct drivers via the Mono Lake approach rather than the more reliable US-6 and Benton Station route. The resort sits at 5,630 feet elevation, and weather conditions change rapidly in the Eastern Sierra. Checking road conditions before departure is advisable for any visit outside of summer.
For visitors looking for hot springs near Bishop, Benton Hot Springs is the closest developed resort option approximately 39 miles north of the city. Mammoth Lakes, approximately 30 miles to the northwest, offers additional lodging and services. The resort has no nearby amenities beyond what is on-site, and the town of Benton Station a few miles east offers limited fuel and grocery options. Cell service at the property is limited, and free Wi-Fi is available on-site.
Suitability & Accessibility
Who Should Visit Benton Hot Springs
Benton Hot Springs suits visitors who want a private, rustic hot spring experience in the Eastern Sierra with the freedom to soak at any hour in their own dedicated tub. The private tub site format means there are no shared pools, no timed sessions, and no other guests in the immediate soaking space. The resort accommodates couples, families, small groups, solo travelers, and tent and RV campers in a setting where quiet hours are actively enforced.
Families with children are welcome and the terrain around the tub sites is flat and manageable. Tub 13 is specifically noted as accessible for guests with mobility limitations. Pets are allowed on a leash with a maximum of two per site. Clothing is optional in the tubs, with discretion expected. Visitors who prefer seclusion and slower pace over a resort pool environment will find Benton well-suited to that preference.
Those seeking hot springs in California with a historical and backcountry character will find that Benton offers a distinctive combination of preserved ghost town buildings, conservation land, and privately managed soaking facilities. Tub access is reserved for overnight guests only, so this property is not suited to day-use visitors. Advance booking is recommended particularly for peak months, as the limited number of sites and rooms fills quickly during summer and holiday weekends.
Safety & Etiquette
Safety at Benton Hot Springs
Benton Hot Springs is generally safe to visit, with natural spring-fed tubs continuously supplied with fresh mineral water requiring no chemical treatment. Each tub has manual controls allowing guests to adjust water flow and temperature. Visitors should test the water before entering, particularly when a tub has been freshly filled, as the incoming water can be significantly hotter than the ambient tub temperature.
Guests with cardiovascular conditions, high or low blood pressure, pregnancy, or skin sensitivities should consult a physician before soaking. Tub temperatures range from 98 to 108 degrees depending on the site and conditions. The high elevation of 5,630 feet can also affect visitors not yet acclimated, potentially reducing physical tolerance for extended soaking. Visitors should hydrate well and limit session lengths accordingly.
Road closures on CA-120 are possible during winter and spring snow events, and visitors should check conditions before departure. The resort is remote, with limited cell coverage and no medical facilities nearby. The closest hospital services are in Bishop, approximately 45 minutes south. Visitors should inform someone of their destination and expected return.
No loud music is permitted at any time, and burning of historic wood found on-site is prohibited by law. Generator use is limited during overnight hours. Fires are permitted only in the provided fire pits, and visitors should follow any local fire restrictions in effect during their stay, particularly in summer and early fall when fire danger can be elevated in the Eastern Sierra.
