Deep Creek Hot Springs Campground (Bowen Ranch) | Established Campground

January 19th, 2024 by kzray

My boyfriend and I had a great time in January at the hot springs campground by the trailhead (not the creepy shack property), and we were even lucky enough to get the hot springs all to ourselves at the end of the evening. It was rather chilly camping at that elevation in Winter, but you could buy firewood at the office. Bathrooms were clean, campsites were immaculate, hosts were great and very accommodating when it came to explaining the trail to the hot springs.

November 16th, 2022 by laurenlmangion

So there are two "Deep Creek Hot Springs" on Bowen Ranch and they are apparently in some kind of feud with one another. It's hard to know who is the original, who owns the trademark, who is ruining the hot springs, etc. In the end, we decided both are sketchy AF, and we didn't even go the hot springs but just got out the area at first light of morning after a restless, alert sleep.

November 20th, 2020 by kzray

Keep right at the split near the end of Bowen Ranch Rd. You will drive thru an open chainlink gate just off Bowen Ranch Rd. Drive 1/4 mile in to some trailers where you are asked to pay a $10 donation to camp or park.
. The main trail head is another 1/4 mile beyond there, making the hike only 1.75 miles to the hot springs. This is the place to park & camp, NOT the place with the scary shack and crazy guy with a gun that has a smaller property further away. The original Bowen Ranch camping & parking lot is 1/3 mile past there.

November 20th, 2020 by kzray

Keep right at the split near the end of Bowen Ranch Rd. You will drive thru a n open chainlink gate in link gate just off the road entrance

October 10th, 2020 by kzray

First off, there are 2 privately owned places you can access the deep creek hot springs from and 1 is definitely better than the other.You will want to go to the new Deep Creek Hot Springs Camp that is located on the Bowen Ranch property and includes the original Bowen Ranch parking & camping area, right next to the trailhead to the Deepreek Hot Springs,There are bathrooms and warm showers too, pending the time of day and you can park and camp overnight right by the trail head to the hot springs.The place to avoid is the crazy dude's property just before this place at the 3 way split. Keep right and do not turn left down his driveway where we pull up to a scary old shack then get yelled at for asking to camp when he only allows day use parking and how everyone has next thing you know he pulls a gun out and shoots it in the air,then takes a picture of our license plate and screams we are trespassing and need to get off his property. Total nut job! The chill atmosphere of the campground next door and the whole hot spring experience outshined and made up for the initial bad experience at the mad shacker, so we will definitely be back!

July 17th, 2020 by lorengjr

Reviews on google maps say this is no longer open for camping “due to overuse and abuse” but the ho spring access remains open for $10 for day visitors.

November 21st, 2019 by lee.myrah

Trailhead for the hike to the clothing optional Deep Creek Hot Springs. $10 for a day pass OR $20 to camp for a night. The whole thing is very rustic, informal, interesting. The guy at the ranch is essentially charging a nominal fee to access the Springs from his property. The Springs are in San Bernardino National Forest.

You could pitch a tent anywhere. The guy took me to a level spot where I parked the campervan.

The natural source water is at the Springs. It comes out of the ground through a copper pipe. The guy says it's potable - "The best water there is."

Arrived mid afternoon, camped, hiked, soaked, left midday. Overall, a good experience.

No entry/exit between dusk and dawn. NPR-like station at 90.7.