Wild Willy’s Hot Spring

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Visited: Friday 1÷1÷16
The whole reason I planned a road trip up and down highway 395 was because of the hot springs on the outskirts of Mammoth. Well this is the hot spring we ended up at and it did not disappoint!
We had stayed at a hostel in Bishop the night before, and when we asked about the nearby hot springs, he drew us a map and gave us a description. He said he didn’t know what the springs were called, but they were easy to find. Looking from the hand drawn map, and comparing notes to my research, he drew us a map to Wild Willy’s Hot Springs (aka Crowley Hot Springs).
Directions: if you are coming from Bishop and heading north on the 395, the locals say «turn at the green church», but if you want to be accurate and go by street names, you make a right on Benton Crossing Rd. This turn is before you hit Convict Lake and the Mammoth/​Yosemite Airport, if you drive past the airport, you’ve gone a mile too far, turn around. After you make a right, you will pass 2 cattle guards on your right. Turn right onto a dirt road after you past the 2^nd cattle guard. Follow the dirt road for about two miles. The road forks, go left, there is a parking lot where you can park. From there, there is a wooden path on the right you follow for less than ¼ of a mile and you will reach 2 hot springs. The smaller one runs warmer than the bigger one.
Super crowded when we went! But so much fun! Lots of friendly people, the age range seemed to be in the 20 – 30’s but we did see a handful of families with kids here. People bring beer and just hang out here. We soaked for an hour, socialized with others and had a great time.
Tips:
— bring a bath robe or blanket to wrap yourself in afterwards (I brought a blanket and wrapped myself in it on my walk back to the car, and had taken my swimsuit off. By the time I got to the car, my swimsuit was frozen stiff)
— bring drinks and snacks (beer, wine, and what not) but do clean up after yourself!
— towel
— a beanie, wear it while soaking to keep your head warm!
Driving on that dirt road, I drive a Mazda 6, if my car can make it, your car can probably make it too.

This by far is my favorite hot springs that I have been to. We went once during the day and once during the night. The heart pool thats a bit smaller seems to be the hotter one. Make sure you go see the Milky Way at night.

This was a nice little spot. They have obviously put lots of work into it! Its clean and has nice views, except for the cows and the cow poop! I might prefer some other hot springs in the area. I would come back though.

So this place is pretty darn awesome but we did have it almost all to ourselves having timed our visit perfectly, arriving just as a large group of girls on a bachelorettes party were leaving. I could see how this place wouldn’t be much fun if it was a little more crowded or if the visitors were not on their best behavior. Another couple bathing in the water were warning us that the place becomes party central after dark, especially during winter when the snow bum crowd arrives en mass to Mammoth.
Enjoyable place, the scenery can’t be beat and there are different pools depending upon your tolerance to heat, but i get the distinct feeling you need to time your visit well!

This was a fun little find and if you are feeling adventurous and don’t mind driving down dirt roads, then this place is definitely worth checking out.
I knew I was in the right spot when I saw several other cars in the parking area. For a minute I thought I was in the wrong place because the place is pretty desolate looking and the little hot spring tub is actually a walk aways from the parking area.
Full disclosure: when I arrived there were 6 people already at the little hot spring tub that can comfortably seat about 6 people, but only 2 were in the tub with the others sitting on the edge with their feet in. One of the guys in the tub was completely naked, penis floating around and all. About 10mins later this older guy came, stripped completely down and got in tub naked as well. When I was walking back to the parking lot there was a guy that was walking toward the tub fully naked.
I was there all of 15−20mins total and in that time span saw 3 penises. It didn’t bother me, but I know it might bother some. I don’t know if this is the norm or not, I can just share what I witnessed my first time there.
The hot tub itself was a bit slimy/​slippery because of the algae, but has a little seating rim around it. It was actually really relaxing and being in the middle of ranchland with the mountains in the background was great… so if you don’t mind the drive and walk out to the tub or sharing it with randos, then I highly recommend going, especially considering it is FREE!

I went there on a Saturday late afternoon. The larger pool was luke warm and murky and there were a few tiny red worms wriggling in the water, so we went to the smaller pool which was very nice and hot. We stayed about 20 minutes or more and the sulphur and heat relieved me of all joint pain for several days. Beautiful views too. Would love to do it at night during a meteor shower.
One warning, keep an eye on your possessions. Somebody stole my Army canteen that was with my backpack and towel, while I was soaking! I had it for 30 years, since I served, so it had some sentimental value. Plus, what kind of person steals someone’s water supply?

Amazing. Literally right off the 395. Turn right onto Benton crossing road. Pass 3 (including the one at the beginning) cattle guards then as soon as you pass the third turn right. Follow the dirt road all the way to a parking lot, park and you will see a wooden boardwalk. Follow it and it ends at the pools. There’s two pools and a stream. Temp is great. There’s a bigger pool and a smaller pool. We wanted to go to the bigger pool but the naked elderly skinny dipper kept us to the smaller pool, such a great experience with a beautiful view of the mountains.

Crowley Hot Springs or Wild Willy’s Hot springs is a more difficult to find spring. It can keep people away just for that reason. It’s not to hard to find though and its worth it. I think it’s listed online in different forums and in many hot springs book’s.
At the end of a long boardwalk you will find the pool sunk in to the ground.
The walk out on the boardwalk is nice, you pass lots of birds out on the water.
The view from the springs is wide open. You can see the flat valley and all of the mountains for miles around.
Hwy 395 onto Benton Crossing Road just south of the airport.
Go until you cross two cattle guards.
Turn right just past the second cattle guard and follow the road,
Always take the left fork.
When you get to the parking area run as fast as you can to the springs and jump in and yell eureka!
Make sure to look it up for yourself. These are the directions the hippies in the green Volkswagen bus gave us as best as I can remember. I can not be held responsible for you not doing the homework.