Things To Do In Mono Hot Springs
If you’ve never been to Mono Hot Springs, it’s hard to explain how different it feels from most mountain destinations. There are no crowds, no busy downtown, and no long list of tourist stops. Instead, you get quiet roads, deep in the Wilderness forest, and the sense that you’re further removed from everything in a good way.
Some people come mostly for the hot springs, but once you’re here, there’s a lot more to enjoy. Mono Hot Springs is a remote High Sierra vacation area at a significant elevation, famous for its natural mineral pools and rugged wilderness access. You can hike into the High Sierra, fish for trout in remote waters, or sit under a sky full of stars.
Good to Know Before You Go
- Mono Hot Springs is usually open from late May (Memorial Day weekend) through October
- Kaiser Pass Road takes time, so don’t plan your day too tightly
- Cell service is spotty until you reach Mono Hot Springs. The area works best when you leave room for soaking, exploring, hiking, trout fishing, and just slowing down
Mono Hot Springs: A True Wilderness Escape
Mono Hot Springs is for people who want to get away from it all, with no noise, traffic, or the pace of everyday life, without giving up every comfort. You’re surrounded by rugged Sierra scenery, but still have a place to soak, get a massage, eat, rest, and settle in after a day outside.
You can spend the day exploring nearby trails, rivers, small streams, lakes, and wilderness areas, then come back to hot mineral baths and a quiet cabin setting. Mono Hot Springs Resort is a top choice for visitors, offering cozy cabins made from native cobblestone and local wood, all set on a scenic site that serves as the perfect base for exploring the area.
Next, we’ll look at the best ways to enjoy that mix of comfort, nature, and adventure while you’re here.
Soak in the Natural Hot Springs
This is the thing people remember: Hot mineral water, cool mountain air, and the San Joaquin River running nearby. Some pools are warm and easy, while others run hot enough that you’ll want to ease in slowly, and some people love to swim in the river to cool off. After a day outside, this is where you can slow down and actually enjoy where you are.
Hiking Near Mono Hot Springs
Hiking near Mono Hot Springs can be as easy or as ambitious as you want it to be. You can keep it simple with shorter hikes to places like Doris Lake or Tule Lake, or head out toward Mono Creek, Devil’s Bathtub, Corbet Lake, and Graveyard Lakes for a bigger day.
If you want to go further, Florence Lake opens up access to trails along the San Joaquin River, Blayney Meadows, and even connections to the John Muir Trail and Pacific Crest Trail. Just check the trail and snow conditions before you head out to higher elevations.
Stay long enough to settle in: wake up in the High Sierra, soak in mineral water, eat at the café, and let Mono Hot Springs become your true wilderness basecamp.
Fishing Near Mono Hot Springs
If you’re into fishing, this may be one of the main reasons you’re drawn to Mono Hot Springs in the first place. You can fish for trout in the San Joaquin River at Mono Hot Springs, Mono Creek, Edison Lake, Ward Lake, or Florence Lake, and fly fish the area’s numerous small streams and alpine lakes, all with big Sierra views around you.
Some spots are right off the road, while others take a bit more effort to reach. Depending on where you go, you may find rainbow, brook, brown, or even golden trout.
Tip: Buy your California fishing license online and check current regulations before heading out.
Horseback Riding at Edison Lake
If you don’t want to spend every day hiking, horseback riding is a great way to see more of the area at an easier pace. Rides at Edison Lake can take you through the forest, along streams, and into quieter stretches of the backcountry, like Devil’s Bathtub Lake, Graveyard Lakes, etc. It’s a simple way to cover more ground while still slowing down enough to enjoy it.
Kayaking and Time on the Water
Edison Lake and Florence Lake are great spots to slow things down. You can paddle along the shoreline, take in the granite and forest from the water, or even use the ferry at Florence Lake to reach trailheads on the other side. Ward Lake is another quieter option, tucked into a steep granite setting if you’re heading that direction.
Tip: Some of the higher elevation waters stay cold even in summer, so consider that when planning ahead.
Stargazing
The nights are one of the best parts of being this deep in the Sierra. Once the sun drops, the area gets truly dark, and the stars start to feel like part of the landscape. Step outside after dark, let your eyes adjust, and give yourself a few minutes. It’s worth slowing down for.
When to Visit Mono Hot Springs
Mono Hot Springs is a seasonal destination, so it is essential to make your cabin reservation before your arrival date, and the sooner the better. The road is accessible May 22, and you can enjoy everything the area has to offer until the end of October.
Open Season: Late May through October
We typically open on Memorial Day weekend and stay open through late October, when Kaiser Pass Road is accessible.
Early in the season, you may still see snowmelt and limited trail access, not at Mono Hot Springs but in the surrounding higher elevation areas. By mid-summer, all wilderness trails are open with easy hiking throughout the area. Fall brings cooler air, fewer people, great trout fishing and hiking, with some of the best soaking weather of the season.
Off Season: November through May
Outside our open season, the area isn’t generally accessible by road due to snow or Forest Service Road closure.
From trout streams and high alpine lakes to horseback rides, lazy paddles, and Sierra night skies, the days at Mono Hot Springs are yours to fill — at exactly the pace you want.
How Long to Stay Near Mono Hot Springs
How long you stay really changes the kind of trip you’ll have. You can visit for a day, but Mono Hot Springs is the kind of place that feels better when you’re not watching the clock.
Day Trips: A day trip is usually done by people who live within a 3-hour drive to the Mono Hot Springs Campground area. It can work if you’re mainly coming to soak, take a short walk, or fish nearby. Just remember the drive in and out takes time, and Kaiser Pass Road isn’t something you’ll want to rush.
Weekend Trips: A weekend gives you room to breathe. You can spend a day hiking, fishing, and swimming in the rivers, then keep the next day slower with a hot springs soak, and have a good meal at the cafe. Keep in mind, there is generally a 3-night minimum for cabin stays.
Longer Stays: If you can stay longer, a vacation stay in the area really opens up. You’ll have time to explore Edison Lake, Florence Lake, nearby trails, and different soaking spots without trying to cram it all in.
Make Mono Hot Springs Your Basecamp
Trout in Edison Lake
Mono Hot Springs is the kind of place you’ll want more than a few hours to enjoy. When you stay at our resort, you can wake up already surrounded by the High Sierra, spend the day soaking, hiking, fishing, or exploring nearby lakes, then come back to your cabin, take a hot mineral bath, eat in the fine food café, shop at the general store, and enjoy a serene, quiet place to rest.
That’s what makes staying here different. You don’t have to rush back down Kaiser Pass Road after one activity. You can settle in, slow down, and actually experience the area the way it’s meant to be experienced.
We’re typically open from late May through late October, and summer stays can fill up early. Book ahead and give yourself time to enjoy it!
For cabin reservations and info, call 559 325 1710. We’re happy to answer your questions and get your next adventure booked.
Hiking, Fly Fishing & More: Your High Sierra Getaway Starts Here
Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to do near Mono Hot Springs?
You can soak and explore the natural hot springs, hike nearby trails, fish for trout in the local river, streams, and lakes, go horseback riding, do boating or kayaking on Edison Lake or Florence Lake, and stargaze at night.
When is Mono Hot Springs open?
Mono Hot Springs is typically open from late Memorial Day weekend in May through October, depending on road and weather conditions.
Can you visit Mono Hot Springs for the day?
Yes, but it’s a long drive for a quick visit. A day trip works best if you’re coming to soak, take a short hike, or fish nearby.
Do you need a fishing license near Mono Hot Springs?
Yes. If you’re 16 or older, you’ll need a valid California fishing license.
Is Mono Hot Springs good for families?
Yes, especially for families who enjoy outdoor trips, and no nudity is allowed at the resort or on Forest Service land.
Plan Your High Sierra Escape at Mono Hot Springs
Relax in natural mineral hot springs, stay in rustic mountain cabins, and explore hiking, fishing, rivers, and wilderness scenery in California’s Sierra Nevada.
Important Notice
Mono Hot Springs Resort and the areas Kaiser Pass Road will open Memorial Day weekend, May 22, and will end October 26th.
For cabin reservations and information please call us at 559 325 1710. We take reservations year-round.
Mono Hot Springs has Tent Cabins, Historic Cabins, FS Campground Reservations in the Sierra Mountains south of Yosemite California!