Squaw Baths
Squaw Baths emerges at a vigorous 106 degrees just 47 meters from Surprise Valley Road at 4,494 feet elevation in Modoc County's rugged Warner Mountains. The spring provides water 54.9 degrees warmer than the ambient temperature of 51 degrees, making it one of the region's most substantial geothermal features.
The spring sits in a high desert landscape dominated by sagebrush, with the Warner Mountains rising dramatically to the east. Roadside accessibility makes the spring immediately visible and approachable. The surrounding terrain transitions between valley floor and forested foothills, with cool, dry air and minimal vegetation near the spring.
The Warner Mountains themselves represent uplifted crustal blocks bounded by normal faults, creating the dramatic topography and associated geothermal activity. The spring reflects heat rising through fractured rock in this volcanically and seismically active region at the edge of the Basin and Range province.
The roadside location makes this spring highly accessible—visible from the road and requiring no hiking. Winter brings heavy snow (61 inches annually) that can block access. Summer and fall offer the most reliable visiting conditions. Patterson Guard Station lies 10.5 kilometers away as the nearest developed facility.
Is Squaw Baths worth visiting?
Best for
- Hot spring soaking
- Easy day trips
- Overnight camping trips
Overview *Altitude is 7,080 feet above sea level* Set on the edge of a meadow surrounded by Aspen, Fir and Pine trees, Patterson Guard Station has stood since 1921. It served the Modoc National Forest as a fully staffed fire office and guard station until 1981. Just a few footsteps from the Summit Trail and one-quarter mile from the wilderness boundary, Patterson Guard Station can be your basecamp for trips into the South Warner Wilderness or the perfect place to disconnect and relax. The...