Deep Creek Hot Springs - Apple Valley, California

Lauren Horner

This place is great! Strenuous hike down into a deep canyon and easy to get lost, especially if you haven't been there before, the map they give you is confusing, please give yourself as least an hour to hike out before sunset, is back up out of the canyon over 2 miles, got lost in the dark last time with no service and it was scary! 5 different pools, busy on the weekends, clothing optional, I like during the week a lot better.

Teri Kolder

Oh my gosh!!! the best hot spring in california so far. #vanlife camped at Bowen Campground & stayed one night. i wished for more The washboard dirt road is a slow going (unless you actually want to trash your vehicle) It’s so worth it. the entire experience was extraterrestrial. It’s part of the PCTrail and there are multiple trails that lead in with quite a few people from LA area coming in for some hours. I recommend camping Check out the website for more info. if you like hot springs this is one to go to. cheers.

Johan Coetzee

Another one of my favorite hot springs. The hike from the ranch is not clearly marked when you start but once you fint the trail it is a steep downhill hike with breathtaking views. Once you reach the springs there are various pools to soak in with various temperatures. We went early and there were already a few people there. Seems that they illegally camped there. The vibe is great. The surroundings beautiful. Everywhere nice and clean. We really enjoyed our visit.

Marta Amézquita

We camp overnight at Bowen Ranch which allowed us to take the short way to the hot springs the next morning. We started around 8:30am with 71 °. The trail is easy to follow, there are many signs on the way. The hot springs are really nice, we went on a weekday so it wasn’t crowded.
The way back can be really hard if you go on summer days. Make sure to pack enough water.

Crab Feather

3rd time here; one via the pct, once via the 3 mile hike from the lake arrowhead side, and this time from the Victorville/bowen ranch side.

It’s $10 to the landowners to come from this side, worth it.

For me, a moderately quick hiker, it was 25 minutes down, 50 minutes up!

Please bring a trash bag and bring home some Trash that others leave behind!

Jorge Hernandez

Couple weeks ago I decided to try this hot spring, but 1st thing 1st I really and personally recommend if anyone tries this place Do not take any sedan ,is not impossible to get to the parking by a sedan but be careful due to the road which is a little bit rough , is a few miles dirt road after the pavement ends. In Some areas is pretty bumpy and has some holes.Is better to go by any sub or truck , however I did see some sedans and Prius, but not all cars have the same high from the bottom. Once get to Bowen ranch there is a cabin where everyone has to deposit either for the day or overnight stay, they also accept zelle. My best recommendation is also to take a map of the trail for those who are going to visit here the first time, i forgot to take one when I place the envelope in the box, or download the trail app, bring a flashlight just in case and warm clothes. From the parking to the hot spring is about 2 miles and yes clothes is optional. The trail for me in the dark after coming back was very tricky, I got lost at some point, I lost my orientation and I ended up in the wrong parking however there was a guy who is so friendly his name is Brent and helped me to get to the right parking, he drove me on his ATV for about 1/2 mile , just be careful to everyone, mountains can be very deceptive specially when is cold or snowy and please take the trash or clothes to help maintain this place clean, I saw few items left, is not easy to people to go down and clean for us, is not hard to bring a plastic bag and place the trash where it belongs, some wild life are going to be affected, is nice to see a clean environment and we can keep it that way

mrs bananaslug (mrsbananaslug)

A very doable hike (with good planning depending time of year) ending in fantastic hot springs.

The Bowen Ranch itself is very beautiful, isolated and rustic, which is awesome, with self check in. But I or anyone really would appreciate a little more information before setting out for the first time. And maybe to lodge guests hiking plan, as the 'call us if you get lost' doesn't work with no cell service in the canyon. I was not aware the springs were on the opposite side of the trail end, thought I had made a wrong turn. and was tearfully going to give up had another hiker not shown up to lead the way traversing the pond to save my day. Thanks buddy!

so when the trail ends, the springs are on the other side and depending on rain, you may have to wade over *

Adam Flink

4 stars because the fact there is like 3 trailheads to get here is confusing. The two trailheads that are the closest to the hot springs are on private property, and they charge you money just to park there(per person). Also, there’s a pretty run down encampment that services the not so great campground at the ranch. My gf was actually a little nervous even being there because of how shady it all looked. Anyways, amazing hot springs! Hike back is tough so bring plenty of fluids, once you reach the river you will have to cross it to get to the hot springs! We had no idea and it was super cold but worth it!