Desert Hot Springs Day Passes: Prices, Passes & How to Soak Without Staying Overnight

Desert Hot Springs sits on top of one of the few natural hot mineral aquifers in California, which is why the whole town smells faintly of sulfur and why day-trippers have been driving up from Palm Springs since the 1940s. The question every searcher asks — "can I just soak for the day?" — has a real answer, but it depends heavily on which property you pick and when you go. Prices below are typical ranges as of early 2026; they change seasonally and on weekends, so confirm on the booking page before you drive up.

The luxury option: Two Bunch Palms day pass

The most famous property in town sells day access through ResortPass rather than at the front desk. A typical spa day pass runs roughly $75–$150 per person depending on the day of week and season, and generally includes access to the grotto pools, the grounds, and sometimes a fitness class. Massages and treatments are extra and often the real reason to come. Book at least a few days ahead for winter weekends — passes are capped and sell out. Note that Two Bunch Palms is adults-only, so this is not the family answer.

The budget option: Sam's Family Spa

Sam's is the workhorse of Desert Hot Springs: a big, unpretentious property with multiple mineral pools and hot tubs, and it welcomes day guests. Day-use admission is typically around $15–$25 per person (weekends and holidays run higher), making it the cheapest legitimate soak in the valley. Kids are welcome, towels are rentable, and it stays open into the evening — which makes it the best answer for "natural hot springs near Palm Springs" on a budget.

The middle ground: boutique hotel day access

Several of the smaller hot-spring hotels in town sell day access when occupancy allows, usually $25–$60 per person, but many only offer it to overnight guests or via ResortPass listings that appear and disappear with the season. If a specific boutique property is your target, call the front desk directly — day-use policies here are genuinely informal and change month to month.

What to know before you go

• **Book ahead October through April.** Desert season weekends sell out at every property that caps day guests.
• **Summer is the value play.** Day-pass prices drop and availability opens up from June through September; the trade-off is air temperatures well above 100°F, though soaking at sunrise or after dark in summer is genuinely lovely.
• **Bring sandals and a water bottle.** Mineral water is dehydrating and pool decks get hot.
• **Sulfur smell is normal.** The odor varies by property and by day; it is the sign the water is real.
• **Check age rules.** Two Bunch Palms is adults-only; Sam's Family Spa and most budget properties welcome kids.