Located just four miles from the small town of Markleeville, Grover Hot Springs State Park provides an oasis on the eastern edge of the famous Sierra Nevada mountain range. Known for its often green colored mineral water, Grover Hot Springs also features a sizable campground and beautiful hiking trails.
Geothermal Pools
Grover Hot Springs State Park features two pools: a hot, geothermal pool for soaking that is around 105 degrees Fahrenheit and a cooler, traditional pool meant for swimming and recreation. The mineral water for the pools are pumped in from six springs located in the nearby valley.
Interestingly, the Grover Hot Springs appear green when viewed from a distance. This occurs due to the mineral deposits produced by a chemical reaction between the natural minerals in the spring water and the cleaning agent used in the pools.
Along with the pools, the swimming facility of the park contains both male and female changing rooms and restrooms as well as an outdoor shower to be used after swimming.
Campground & Activities
Situated at nearly 5,000 feet above sea level, Grover Hot Springs State Park provides ample recreational opportunities. Fishing is allowed in the nearby streams, and there are a variety of hiking trails with views of the nearby granite peaks of the Sierra Nevada range, like Hawkins Peak at 10,023 feet.
Hikers looking for an easy, three mile trip can venture to a waterfall on Hot Springs Creek, and more adventurous and seasoned hikers can venture the 10 miles round trip to Burnside Lake.
As is typical in the Sierra Nevada range, the state park is located in black bear country. To facilitate safety, the park service provides hard-sided, bear-proof containers in each campground.
Additionally, Grover Hot Springs State Park features a sizeable, 76 site campground. There’s a nightly fee for camping and reservations may be made online from May-September. The rest of the year, the campground operates on a first come, first serve basis. Along with hot showers, the campground also offers firewood and ice during the summer months.
Season
The pools at the park are open continuously from June through August. During the rest of the year, including throughout winter, days and hours of operation vary due to funding. In the winter months, the hot spring pool complex generally remains open, offering the brave a warm respite to the cold California mountain winter, conditions permitting.
COVID-19 Update
Due to risk of transmission, Grover Hot Springs State park has transitioned use of the pools to a reservation system. Reservations include ninety minutes of pool access for a $10 fee, and they must be made online at least two days in advance.
Additionally, the changing rooms in the pool complex are currently closed.
Details
Address: 3415 Hot Springs Rd, Markleeville, CA 96120
Phone: 530-694-2248
Season: Year round
Website: parks.ca.gov/?page_id=508
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