Desert Hot Springs mineral springs guide
Where to soak, and the difference between the spas
Palm Springs Spots Editors · Published Aug 31, 2026 · Updated Aug 31, 2026
Desert Hot Springs sits on a natural hot mineral aquifer, which is why a small city 15 minutes north of Palm Springs has dozens of spa hotels and soaking pools.
Desert Hot Springs is built on top of two aquifers: a cold one for drinking water and a hot mineral one that comes out of the ground between 90 and 180 degrees. That geology, not scenery, is why a city of 30,000 has more mineral spas than the rest of the valley combined, and why you can soak here for $20 or $400 depending on which gate you walk through.
The difference between the options
At the top end, Two Bunch Palms is a phone-free, adults-only resort built around a grove-shaded grotto — the most atmospheric soak in Southern California, and priced accordingly. Azure Palm Hot Springs sits in the middle: multiple pools of varying temperature, a proper day-spa menu, and day passes that make it accessible without booking a room. Miracle Springs and Hope Springs cover the comfortable mid-range, with hotel rooms wrapped directly around the pools. At the other end, Sam's Family Spa is unfussy and family-run, with a big mineral pool, soaking tubs and RV sites, and it costs a fraction of anywhere else.
Day pass or overnight?
Most visitors staying in Palm Springs come up for a day pass, which is the right call for a single soak. Stay overnight if you want early-morning and after-dark pool time, which is when the pools are quietest and the temperature contrast with the desert air is best. Note that several properties are adults-only — check before booking if you are travelling with children.
Seasonal reality
October through April is peak soaking weather, and weekends sell out. In July and August, soaking in a 104-degree pool at 110-degree air temperature is only pleasant after dark, so summer properties lean on cooler pools and heavy discounts. Bring more water than you think you need: mineral soaking dehydrates fast in desert air.
What else is here
Cabot's Pueblo Museum, a hand-built Hopi-inspired adobe, is the one non-spa attraction worth an hour. Beyond that, Desert Hot Springs is a soaking town — eat in Palm Springs, 15 minutes south, or plan a Joshua Tree day trip north on the same visit.
FAQ
- Can I visit the mineral springs without staying overnight?
- Yes. Azure Palm, Sam's Family Spa and several others sell day passes; Two Bunch Palms offers limited day access to its spa.
- Are the hot springs natural?
- Yes — the water comes from a natural geothermal aquifer under the city, between roughly 90 and 180 degrees at the source.
- Is it family friendly?
- Some properties are adults-only. Sam's Family Spa and several mid-range hotels welcome children.
- How far is it from Palm Springs?
- About 15 minutes by car, straight up Gene Autry Trail and Palm Drive.
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In this guide
The hotels
In this guide
Where to go
Cabot's Pueblo Museum
A four-storey Hopi-inspired pueblo built by hand from salvaged materials, now a museum with guided tours. Cabot's Pueblo Museum is in Desert Hot Springs. It suits an hour of desert eccentricity. Admission: Around $15 for a guided tour. Hours: 9am-4pm, closed some summer days. It is mostly indoors, which makes it a reliable option on a triple-digit afternoon. It works with kids in tow.
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