Best Hot Springs near Lake Tahoe and Reno 2023 [Ultimate Guide]

There is nothing better than a good soak in a hot spring after a long hike or a day of skiing in Lake Tahoe. 

The challenge is determining which is perfect for your tastes, ranging from man-made tubs at resorts to natural springs in the remote Eastern Sierras.

The good news is that I not only love the Sierra Nevada Mountains, but I also love visiting all the hot springs around Lake Tahoe.

Where are the hot springs in Lake Tahoe?

Hot Springs	Distance/Drive Time from North Lake Tahoe – King’s Beach	Distance/Drive Time from South Lake Tahoe – Pope Beach	Cost
Brockway Hot Springs	0.8 mi, 3 mins	37 mi, 57 mins	Free for residents and guests
1862 David Walley’s Hot Springs Resort	42 mi, 54 mins	23 mi, 39 mins	$55
Carson Hot Springs Resort	34 mi, 46 mins	37 mi, 49 mins	$28
Steamboat Hot Springs Resort	30 mi, 42 mins	54 mi, 1:05 mins	$10/$20
Grover Hot Springs State Park	63 mi, 1:19 hours	35 mi, 48 mins	$10
Sierra Hot Springs	37 mi, 48 mins	66 mi, 1:33 hours	$30
Buckeye Hot Springs	106 mi, 2:17 hours	91 mi, 2 hours	Free
Travertine Hot Springs	108 mi, 2:12 hours	92 mi, 2 hours	Free

Lake Tahoe Hot Springs

While there are no hot springs at the lake itself, there are natural hot springs near Lake Tahoe. 

Several options are only a few minutes away, with the farthest option on the list being less than a two-hour drive. 

Most hot springs near Lake Tahoe will be found in historic resorts, but there are others that are still entirely natural. 

The developed options have cement pools or tubs where mineral hot spring waters are pumped in from their source. 

The all-natural options can be very rustic and are simply pools of heated mineral waters surrounded by rocks.

If you don’t feel like driving too far from the lake, consider staying in one of these cabins with a hot tub for an evening soak.

8 Best Hot Springs near Lake Tahoe

1. Brockway Hot Springs

• Cost: “free”; heated pool is accessed only by residents and guests of Brockway Springs
• Clothing Etiquette: Swimsuits Required
• Amenities: outdoor heated pool, fitness center, sauna, tennis courts (these amenities are found on the Brockway Springs property)

Brockway Hot Springs is the closest hot spring to Lake Tahoe, located just above the edge of the lake’s north shore. 

It’s free to access for those who put effort into finding it, as there is a caveat. 

Most of the hot spring water is pumped and used to heat an outdoor pool of a very exclusive community – the Brockway Springs. 

So unless you are a property owner or you happen to be a guest of a member who will give you access to the heated outdoor pool, the only way you can enjoy the hot spring is by looking for the makeshift rock-walled pools. 

This small pool was built as a catchment for what little hot spring water leaks out of Brockway Springs’ containment/pool heating structure. 

If you do get the chance to soak in the rock pools, you will find that they can easily accommodate around two to four people, and the water temperature usually is around the mid-90s.

💦 Local Tip: You can kayak or SUP from Kings Beach or Speedboat Beach to the rock pools, just make sure not to get too close to the private property line.

Visiting Lake Tahoe? Make sure to check out the best breweries and fun facts about Tahoe or our Lake Tahoe Travel Guide.

2. 1862 David Walley’s Hot Springs Resort

• Cost: $55 per person, per day (applies to both walk-ins and resort guests)
• Clothing Etiquette: Swimsuits Required
• Amenities: outdoor pool (seasonal), hot spring tubs, heated pool, dry saunas, eucalyptus steam rooms, restaurant and saloon, fitness center, game rooms, barbecue grills, marketplace

1862 David Walley’s Hot Springs Resort, also called Holiday Inn Club Vacations David Walley’s Resort, is a historic lodge located in Genoa, at the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. 

Only a 25-minute drive from South Lake Tahoe, this is one of the best natural hot springs near Lake Tahoe.

Soaking in its heated outdoor pool or five mineral hot spring spas with water temperatures ranging from 98 to 104°F is the perfect day-ender after skiing at the nearby Heavenly Ski Resort. 

Their heated pool and mineral spas are perfectly situated in the middle of the resort so you can soak in comfortably warm waters while taking in the breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains. 

If you haven’t decided which accommodation to use as a base for your family’s Lake Tahoe vacation, take Mark Twain’s word for it and consider booking your stay at this historic lodge and hot springs.

💦 Local Tip: After a relaxing soak and working up your appetite, drop by the 1862 Restaurant & Saloon and enjoy a glass of wine with your 10-hour slow-roasted prime rib. If your dining party is at least six people, make prior reservations and enjoy your dinner at their original wine cellar built in 1862.

Check out this Tahoe ski resort map if you plan on skiing or snowboarding in Lake Tahoe. Read this article to see what the weather in November in Tahoe is like at the start of the ski season.

3. Carson Hot Springs Resort

• Cost: from $13 (outdoor pools), from $20 (indoor and outdoor pools)
• Clothing Etiquette: Swimsuits are required for outdoor pools, clothing-optional for indoor private pool
• Amenities: Indoor & outdoor pools, showers, lockers, sauna, patio

With a history tracing back to as early as 1849, Carson Hot Springs Resort should be on your list of places to visit in Carson City, Nevada. 

This natural hot springs near Tahoe is only a 25-minute drive from the northeast of the lake and about 40 minutes from South Lake.

Soaking in its mineral hot spring pools just might be the perfect end to a full day of activities and exploration in the Sierra Nevada mountains. 

The resort has four heated outdoor pools with temperatures maintained anywhere between 93 to 100 degrees, depending on the season. 

You can also enjoy one of the nine indoor private pools, which they keep at around 95-104 degrees. 

Admission is cheaper if you opt out of the indoor private pools as they do offer them on a first-come-first-served basis. 

However, if you happen to come when the resort isn’t that busy, paying the extra will give you two hours of access to both indoor and outdoor pools. 

💦 Local Tip: All of the pools are heated which means you won’t exactly have a pool to cool off but you can drop by the Shoe Tree Brewing Co. just next door after your two-hour soak to enjoy a pint or two of local craft beer.

RELATED: Drivng from Sacramento? See this Sac to Reno road trip guide. Or this post to discover other hot springs close to Sacramento area for a good soak.

4. Steamboat Hot Springs Healing Center and Spa

• Cost: from $12 per person (outdoor tub & shower), from $28 per person (private mineral bath)
• Clothing Etiquette: Swimsuits Required
• Amenities: outdoor tub, private mineral bath, spa treatment packages, roller table, power plate machine, infrared sauna 

Steamboat Hot Springs Healing Center and Spa should be on your lookout for hot springs near Reno and Lake Tahoe. 

Set in a historic building that once housed a 34-bed hospital that used the heated mineral waters to treat its patients, this Nevada center still operates today as a place to unwind and pamper yourself with its many wellness treatment offerings. 

They have an outdoor mineral soaking tub that you can use for $12 for 30 minutes or book a private mineral bath for $28 for one hour. 

This price includes access to the outdoor tub. Private mineral baths can be as long as an hour, while soaking in the outdoor tubs have a two-hour maximum time limit. 

30-minute add-on costs $6 per person, while the 60-minute add-on costs $8 per person.

These hot springs near Tahoe are about a 35-minute drive from Incline Village on the North Shore and about an hour from the South Shore.

💦 Local Tip: The facility does not accept walk-ins, so if you plan on availing of their services after your outdoor activities in Lake Tahoe, you will have to plan ahead and make reservations.

5. Grover Hot Springs State Park

• Cost: $10 (adult) or $5 (child) for a 1.5 hour soaking session
• Clothing Etiquette: Swimsuits Required
• Amenities: outdoor pools, bathrooms, picnic area, campground, hiking trails

Grover Hot Springs is a family-friendly destination located in a 550-acre state park, complete with campsites, picnic areas, hiking trails, and two outdoor pools. 

Both pools use natural mineral water though one is heated to around 105°F for soaking while the other is kept cool for swimming and general use. 

This hot spring near Lake Tahoe has a small fee and a time slot reservation required to access the geothermal pool. 

If you travel here from Lake Tahoe, make a night out of it and camp at one of their well-maintained campsites. 

It can get pretty cold in the evenings, especially if you come during the winter, but you can always schedule a mid-morning hot spring soak, which is a great way to start your day.

Note: The hot springs pools are closed until further notice due to the damage caused by the fire in July 2021.

💦 Local Tip: This place does not have cell reception but if you need to make a call, drive back up to the main entrance, and you’ll find reception around the parking lot area. Also, make sure to visit Cutthroat Brewing Company in downtown Markleeville for some great food and drinks.

6. Sierra Hot Springs

• Cost: starts at $35 per person day use fee (Thursdays-Sundays; one person from the party must be a member, membership starts at $5 for 30 days, see rates here), Reservations are Required
• Clothing Etiquette: Clothing-optional
• Amenities: hot spring pools, sun deck, cold plunges, trails, camping area, guest kitchen 

The Sierra Hot Springs is a clothing-optional, non-profit retreat center that offers multiple hot spring pools, great for soaking tired muscles. 

The Temple Dome area where The Hot Pool (105-110° F) is located, is the only pool where kids are allowed access from 11 AM to 6 PM. 

Outdoors are the Warm Pool (98-100° F) with a sundeck and dry sauna, as well as the Meditation Pool (98-100° F). 

The Meditation Pool is a faux natural pool designed using rock tiles and surrounded by trees to give you a sense of being one with nature rather than just soaking in a resort. 

These hot springs near Truckee offer rooms if you plan to stay overnight, with options at their Main Lodge or Globe Hotel.

If you want the full outdoor nature experience, arrive before dark and stay at their campground. 

💦 Local Tip: Their Meditation Pool is open late in the evening, so make the most of your stay and sneak in an evening soak under starlit skies. The warm water will make you feel like you’re being hugged, and the evening setting will make the whole experience even more relaxing.

7. Buckeye Hot Springs

• Cost: Free
• Clothing Etiquette: Clothing-optional
• Amenities: natural hot spring pools
• Distance from Lake Tahoe: 1:51 hours, 86.2 miles
• Google Map Location | Parking

Buckeye Hot Springs is located in the Eastern Sierra Nevada area, about a two-hour drive from South Lake Tahoe. 

This free, clothing-optional, natural hot spring can be accessed by driving through a mix of partially paved and dirt roads. 

Two upper pools are located near the parking area with panoramic views of the wilderness, while pools made from makeshift rock walls are found about 300 feet down beside Buckeye Creek. 

Despite the beautiful views, most of the crowds gather by the creekside hot pools, where you can easily switch from soaking in the hot spring waters to the cold waters in the creek. 

Also, a cascading feature of hot spring water from the source to the creekside pool is another source of amusement for visitors. 

The water temperatures of the pools, upper and creekside, are at an average range of 100-110°F.

💦 Local Tip: If you find the water in the creekside hot pools too hot for comfort, move the rock walls and allow water from Buckeye Creek to enter the pool to cool it off, then seal the rock wall again once you reach your desired water temperature.

Where to stay near Buckeye Hot Springs

Hunewill Ranch

A working historic cattle ranch that you can stay in with unbeatable views and very accommodating hosts.

Twin Lakes Resort

This seasonal resort features 8 cabins and 20 RV campsites with a general store situated right on Twin Lakes. The cabins are on the rustic side but worth the price for the majestic views of the Sierras in your backyard.  

Willow Springs Resort 

Only a 25-minute drive from the hot springs, this beautiful property is situated in the heart of nature, featuring well-equipped rooms, outdoor firepits, picnic tables, and easy access to hiking trails.

8. Travertine Hot Springs

• Cost: Free
• Clothing Etiquette: Clothing-optional
• Amenities: hot spring pools, outhouse
• Distance from Lake Tahoe: 1:46 hours, 88 miles
• Google Map Location | Parking 

The Travertine Hot Springs is another hot spring destination that would require a bit more driving time from Lake Tahoe. 

This might not be the closest hot springs to Lake Tahoe, but it sure is close enough to drive if you’re interested in experiencing one of the most well-known hot springs in Eastern Sierras.

Located just outside Bridgeport, this clothing-optional natural hot spring has pools with water temperatures between 98-100° F and breathtaking views of the surrounding Sierra Nevada mountains and meadows. 

The small cement tub near the parking area is easier to access and warmer, but if you want a more natural experience, the four rock-bottomed pools decorated with travertines are shallow enough to sit and soak comfortably.

💦 Local Tip: Plan to come here very early in the morning on a weekday to catch the sunrise and increase your chances of having the whole place for yourself for at least an hour or two.

Where to Stay near Travertine Hot Springs:

Silver Maple Inn 

Only a 7-minute drive from Travertine Hot Springs, this historic inn is conveniently located in Bridgeport, offering simple rooms that are very clean and well-equipped. 

Walker River Lodge

This comfortable accommodation in Bridgeport offers multiple room options with all the basic amenities you would need. A seasonal outdoor pool and hot tub makes this place a great place to relax at the end of your day.

Virginia Creek Settlement

This highly-rated rustic resort offers several lodging options, such as tents, standard rooms, family suites, and cottages. There is a restaurant on-site, picnic tables, and fire pits to make your stay that much more comfortable.  

📍 READ MORE: Check this post if you want to find the best hot springs in Mammoth Lakes if you’re in the area.

Lake Tahoe Hot Springs Map

Lake Tahoe Quick Facts

• Best Time to Visit: Spring and Fall in Tahoe is the best time to go if you want to avoid the crowds. Winter is best for those into snowsports while Summer is best for great weather but it is also the most crowded.

• Where to Stay: For the most conveniently located hotel in South Lake Tahoe, stay at the Basecamp Hotel and the Hyatt Regency Resort & Spa in North Lake Tahoe for a beachfront resort.

• Getting there: The airport nearest to Lake Tahoe is Reno-Tahoe International which is 35 miles away. For the best flight deals, use Skyscanner to browse various airlines and prices.

• Getting Around: The best way to get around Lake Tahoe is by car. Use Rentalcars.com to score the best deals on rental cars.

• Best Self-Guided Tour: This audio tour from GyPSy Guide provides engaging commentary to make your trip more fun and interesting at such an incredible price!

• Local Tip: Don’t forget to pack a roadside emergency kit, an insulated water bottle to stay hydrated, and a reliable powerbank to keep your gadgets charged. Use this dry bag to keep your valuables from getting soaked.

FAQs

Are there natural hot springs in Lake Tahoe?

Yes, there are great natural hot springs near Lake Tahoe you can visit though most are located in resorts and establishments, so you will have to pay to access them.

Popular options are the 1862 David Walley’s Hot Springs Resort and the Carson Hot Springs Resort.

Where are the hot springs near Reno?

The hot springs near Reno are located in Sierraville, Carson City, Reno proper, and at the edge of Lake Tahoe’s north shore. Steamboat Hot Springs is a natural hot spring located between Carson City and Reno.

Wrap-Up: Hot Springs near Lake Tahoe

Whether you’re looking for hot springs near Lake Tahoe that you can quickly drive to after your day skiing or sledding on the slopes at the ski resorts or for a side trip after your lake adventure, visiting a hot spring is always a good idea. 

So, carve some time out of your itinerary and make a reservation at one of these hot springs that will soothe your body and rejuvenate your spirit. 

Related:

• Best Hot Springs in Northern California
• Adjusting to Lake Tahoe’s Altitude
• Best Places for Snow in California