Little Hunter Canyon Springs
Little Hunter Canyon Springs emerges at just 81°F in the arid Inyo County desert near Lone Pine. This warm spring produces water only 9 degrees above ambient temperature (72°F), making it a subtle thermal feature reflecting the harsh climate of the Death Valley region managed by the Bureau of Land Management.
A short walk from Saline Valley Road through creosote scrub and desert pavement reaches Little Hunter Canyon Springs at 1,688 feet elevation. The modest warmth supports a small desert oasis with native vegetation in stark contrast to the surrounding desiccated landscape. Clear water pools briefly before flowing into the sandy drainage characteristic of the southern Inyo County desert floor.
Little Hunter Canyon Springs marks a small thermal anomaly at the edge of Death Valley's influence where deep groundwater remains warmer than the extreme desert surface. The 9-degree elevation above ambient reflects minimal geothermal input—likely older water that has slowly cooled while rising to the surface. This region receives only 6.9 inches of annual precipitation.
Access is a short walk from Saline Valley Road, managed by the BLM Ridgecrest Field Office. Conditions are extreme: summer temperatures exceed 100°F regularly, and water sources are scarce. Visit October through April for moderate desert conditions. The spring's modest warmth makes it more interesting geologically than as a soaking destination in this remote desert landscape."
Is Little Hunter Canyon Springs worth visiting?
Best for
- Warm-water soaking
- Overnight camping trips
Overview $10.00 per site per night. No reservations. Open all year. Tuttle Creek Campground offers 83 RV/tent sites, with ten pull-through trailer spaces, maximum recommended RV length is 30 feet. All sites include a fire pit, picnic table and a lantern holder. No hook-up. Potable water is available seasonally. Dump station fee is $10.00, no passes accepted, closed in winter. Closest amenities are 5 miles northeast in Lone Pine. Tuttle Creek Campground SignTuttle Creek Campground siteTuttle...