Dolans Hot Spring
Dolans Hot Spring flows at 98°F from coastal mountains within the Landels-Hill Big Creek Reserve, a restricted-access research area where public visitation remains limited to protect ongoing scientific work.
The thermal spring emerges at 1,193 feet elevation in steep terrain above the Big Sur coastline, requiring a walk of roughly 3,637 feet through dense forest and chaparral. The setting combines the region's characteristic oak woodlands with dramatic topography overlooking the Pacific Ocean in the distance.
Dolans Hot Spring (also recorded as Slates Hot Springs) formed through geothermal processes in the Santa Lucia Mountains, a tectonically active region. The spring's name reflects its European heritage—Thomas B. Slate filed a land patent for the site in 1882, establishing early claims to this thermal resource.
Access to this spring is restricted due to its location within a University of California Natural Reserve System facility. The spring sits on protected land managed for research and conservation, limiting public visitation. Researchers and authorized visitors can reach the spring via the established access trail.
Is Dolans Hot Spring worth visiting?
Best for
- Warm-water soaking
- Overnight camping trips
Overview Escondido Campground is one of the best kept secrets in the Santa Lucia Mountains. This family-friendly campground boasts scenic vistas that will take your breath away. Surrounded by spectacular rock formations and sprawling oaks this campground rests in a beautiful grassy meadow. The outdoor activities are endless. Hiking, biking, wildlife viewing, picnicking, and bird watching are just a few of the activities you can do while visiting this Los Padres National Forest gem. Recrea...