Quick FactsOverview
About Keough's Hot Springs
Keough's Hot Springs, California is a historic geothermal pool facility in the Owens Valley, approximately 7.5 miles south of Bishop along US-395. Established in 1919, it is the oldest continuously operating hot springs facility in the Eastern Sierra and home to the largest natural hot springs pool in the region.
Two pools are fed by a natural geothermal spring producing around 600 gallons per minute of mineral water. The main swimming pool measures 100 feet by 40 feet and is kept between 86 and 92 degrees Fahrenheit depending on season. The smaller hot soaking pool is held at a steady 104 degrees year-round. The pools are cleaned and partially refilled weekly with continuous fresh spring flow throughout the day. On-site amenities include changing rooms, showers, lounge chairs, a snack bar, and a picnic area.
For those seeking hot springs near Bishop with reliable facilities and easy access, Keough's is the best-established option in the area. The resort also offers tent cabin glamping, RV hookup sites, and dry camping, making it a practical stop for visitors exploring the Eastern Sierra. A free, undeveloped series of rock-walled pools known as Keough Hot Ditch runs downstream just outside the property boundary.
Location & Access
Getting to Keough's Hot Springs
Keough's Hot Springs is reached by driving 7.5 miles south of Bishop on US-395 and turning west onto Keough Hot Springs Road, then continuing 0.6 miles to the facility entrance. The road is paved throughout and the site is signed from the highway. The drive from Bishop takes under 10 minutes.
From Big Pine to the south, head 7.6 miles north on US-395 and turn right onto Keough Hot Springs Road. The facility has a parking lot with space for both passenger vehicles and RVs. No hiking is required; the pools and all amenities sit immediately adjacent to the parking area. The property is at approximately 4,350 feet elevation in the Owens Valley with direct views of the Eastern Sierra range to the west.
Keough's is closed on Tuesdays, and operating hours vary by season with longer hours on weekends. Checking current hours before visiting is recommended, particularly for those making a longer drive. Overnight camping guests access the pool at a reduced rate. For highway travelers on US-395, Keough's is among the most conveniently located hot springs near Bishop on the entire US-395 corridor between Mammoth Lakes and Lone Pine, and the Keough Hot Springs Road turnoff is well-signed from the highway in both directions.
Suitability & Accessibility
Who Keough's Hot Springs Suits
Keough's Hot Springs suits a wide range of visitors including families with children, as the large main pool is appropriate for casual swimming and the facility offers children's day pass pricing alongside a picnic area and snack bar. The site has a relaxed, community atmosphere that has attracted local regulars and road-trippers alike since its founding in 1919.
The facility is not wheelchair accessible in any documented capacity, and visitors with mobility needs should contact the resort directly before visiting. For those seeking family hot springs near Bishop with full on-site facilities, Keough's is the most established and consistently operated option in the Bishop area, with a straightforward drive-up location off US-395.
The resort suits visitors who prefer a managed environment over undeveloped wild springs. The pools are regularly cleaned and partially chlorinated, distinguishing the experience from the free primitive ditch pools just outside the property. Dogs are welcome in the camping areas but not permitted in the pool facility. The site draws a mix of overnight campers, Eastern Sierra recreation visitors, and travelers stopping along the US-395 corridor. Anglers visiting the nearby fishing areas of the Eastern Sierra frequently use Keough's as a base, and it makes a practical stopping point for skiers heading to Mammoth Mountain in winter.
Safety & Etiquette
Safety and Etiquette at Keough's Hot Springs
Keough's Hot Springs warrants mindfulness primarily because of the documented presence of Naegleria fowleri in the natural hot spring ditch that runs outside the resort boundary downstream from the source spring. The resort adds some chlorination to its managed pools as a precaution, but visitors should still avoid submerging the head in any warm spring water in the area, as this organism can only enter the body through nasal passages.
The hot soaking pool is maintained at 104 degrees Fahrenheit, which is at the upper end of comfortable soaking for most adults. Visitors are advised to hydrate before and during pool use, limit extended time in the hotter pool, and take breaks between soaks. The main pool is cooler and better suited to children and longer swimming sessions. Both pools have continuous fresh spring water flowing through, which helps maintain water quality between weekly cleanings.
Pool etiquette follows standard public facility norms: swimsuits are required, showering before entering is expected, and the shared space should be kept tidy. The resort is a community facility that has served the Bishop area for over a century, and treating it with care ensures it remains available to future visitors.
The facility is closed on Tuesdays for maintenance. Hours are shorter on weekdays than on weekends and vary by season, so arriving without checking the current schedule risks a wasted trip. Overnight camping guests should be aware that pool access hours do not extend past closing time regardless of check-in. The free Keough Hot Ditch pools outside the property are clothing optional and have no facilities or safety monitoring; the Naegleria fowleri precaution is especially relevant there.
