Fish Springs
Fish Springs emerges at 90°F at the remarkable elevation of minus 224 feet in Imperial County, making it one of North America's lowest-elevation springs. Located near Desert Shores and the Salton Sea, this thermal source flows only 12.7°F warmer than the exceptionally hot ambient temperature of this unique desert basin.
The spring's setting lies within one of the most extreme desert environments in the continental United States, where annual air temperatures average 77.3°F—among the highest in the nation. The nearby Salton Sea dominates the landscape: a vast inland body of water in a tectonic depression. Sparse vegetation struggles in this harsh climate with only 3.6 inches of annual precipitation.
Fish Springs taps geothermal sources in the Salton Trough, a region of active tectonics and crustal extension. The extreme subsea elevation reflects the deepest depression in California's interior, created by millions of years of extensional faulting. The modest thermal anomaly—rising only 12.7°F above ambient—contrasts with the extreme environmental temperature already present.
Access is straightforward via nearby roads, though the extreme desert heat demands careful planning. Winter months (November–March) provide the only truly comfortable visiting period. Bring adequate water, as the area offers minimal services. The spring's marginal thermal character—warmer only slightly above ambient—may disappoint visitors expecting hotter water.
Is Fish Springs worth visiting?
Best for
- Warm-water soaking
- Easy day trips