Franklin Hot Springs

I was soooo excited to hear that Paso Robles had a Hot Springs… so the family drove out there, just to check it out… not really stay… I pulled in, then couldn’t find the reverse fast enough. I am sure in its day, it was a great spot to hang out and maybe it was a nice clean place, but let me tell you something. I thought I was going to need a tetanus shot just for looking at it. I was so bummed and I hate to give it bad stars because I am sure SOME people enjoy it still and it may have a long history of great reviews.
It just wasn’t for me or the safety of my family… jk, its janky but I could see some fun hidden deep inside the trenches of this spring. So if your looking for backwoods adventure… DONT miss this one… you will get it, I promise :)
If you start to hear the theme to Deliverance, RUN and don’t look back.

Not your typical campsite but magical in its own way. Lots of space and beautiful pond with chickens on an island in the middle. Very friendly people. Great price. Just put the money in the box. Ask about the underground river

Coolest, funky, kitschy place, to really relax, just soak, better yet camp out and soak all day and night. Absolutely unpretentious, with wonderful waters and wonderful relaxed set ups to enjoy it, and wonderful ducks, geese, chickens, and Canadian Honkers, and a tremedous view of the rolling rural hills of Paso Robles. Can swim or soak in the pool, soak in the hot tub, bbq and picnic, and the local people seem to like to make simple natural jewelry while here which is cool. Totally laid back with, most importantly, wonderful laid back people. Kudos and good karma to Norm who owns the land and thanks posthumous to his dad who set the vision for this little happy Eden.

I am a total creature comfort snob and read all the reviews before I decided to give this place a chance. Can’t wait to go back. One of the most amazing places and experiences. I’ve been to many hot springs, but only one before (in another country) where you could actually swim laps. The clay from the bottom on our skin was an added treat. Read the reviews — especially the 1 stars, so you know what to expect. There were only 7 –8 other people there, and all were cool, no rowdy beer parties or BBQs going on, although you can bring alcohol in non-​glass containers and there is a big screen TV you can watch while in the springs (glad it was off), and places to cook out and build a bonfire. Will be going back. Soon.

Franklin is a good time. To all y’all expecting something fancy and resort-​like, this isn’t for you. That’s not to say this isn’t an experience, because it is. Just not the foofoo kind. This is more like a backyard pool party but with naturally occurring water instead of chlorine ridden swimming pool water.
Finding this place at night is a challenge. If I hadn’t had two friends with me, I might have given up. The dilapidated sign noting the turn off is barely visible without sunlight. Once you drive up the dirt road, and pass a shanty, a small car park, and what looks like a hippie campground, you’ve found Franklin. The guy standing around outside staring at you isn’t a creeper, he owns the joint. He’s actually pretty nice, and will relay the rules to you and answer questions, such as:
1. Yes, cash only, $ 7 flat. Good deal for a hot springs these days.
2. Yes, bathing suits are required. This is not a clothing optional spring.
3. The bathrooms leave a lot to be desired and the dressing rooms don’t leave much privacy. My friends and I all kind of picked corners.
4. Yes, the water is naturally occurring and is warm. Not hot, warmish. Almost lukewarm in spots, warmer in others. Underneath the faucets there is a sitting area where you can let the water fall onto your upper body, and this water is much hotter than the pool water.
5. Parking is first come, first served.
6. Camping is allowed with a reservation and an additional fee. Don’t remember what the fee is.
We had a really nice time at Franklin, and the best part was floating while looking up at the stars on a clear evening. Absolutely wonderful experience. The place could do with some fixing up of facilities, and is a challenge to find in the dark, but I found the visit a worthwhile adventure to experience with my friends.

I came here on a Saturday night with friends and really enjoyed this hot springs.
Here are some tips to share with other first tip visitors:
1. It is located down a gravel/​dirt road and the sign to turn is hard to see at night.
2. The cost is $ 7/​person for day use and is CASH ONLY.
3. Make sure you bring your own towel to dry off because you cannot rent towels.
4. There are no shower facilities available, so have a plan to shower nearby afterwards at your hotel since you can’t shower here.
5. The women’s changing room is pretty much a shed with a toilet that is blocked from the main area with a partition and no door. Don’t expect to have a lot/​any privacy here while in the changing room.
6. There are no lockers, so put your bag on a bench by the pool and your valuables in the car.
With all the drawbacks stated above, this is one of the best hot springs that I’ve been to. If you love a strong sulfur smell in hot springs and find a more natural environment therapeutic – then this place is for you.
I loved visiting in the evening were I could lay on my back in the water and look at the stars. The pool was also large and not crowded so you had a sense of privacy that you don’t normally get with a large pool. I was able to spend long periods of time floating by myself in self reflection and looking at the stars. There were also two bonfires going right by the pool when we arrived which added to the ambience of the pool.
This was one of my favorite things to experience on my last trip to the Central Coast and I would definitely come back.

This is really an amazing place! Very easily accessible. There is sand at the bottom of the pool so it is not that slimy. We met locals there that were very nice. Bathrooms weren’t the nicest but they get the job done. They were very dog friendly. We brought our 3 dogs and they had a great time playing with the friendly pack of dogs that were there. There was a hot tub that we didn’t get a chance to try but it looked very nice and relaxing. Only a couple people there. (We went around 10−11am) We already planning our trip back. Check it out totally worth the $ 7.

Came here and kept driving! Nothing like the description on groupon! Abort! Abort! if you have ever seen Texas chain saw massacre this is most likely where it was filmed! Just a big swimming hole surrounded by junk and trailers. As I said in the beginning of my review Abort! This is no Calistoga!

This place has soul! I’m glad it’s not a fancy high dollar resort like Sycamore in Avila Beach. The water is great and the people are nice. This place is perfect the way it is!!! Don’t change a thing Norm! Can’t wait to go back!!!

This is an opportunity lost. The facilities are poor. The potential is unlimited. The water was warm that is the nicest thing I can say about this hot spring. The bathrooms are not to be used. No showers to rinse off before or after you bath. It would have been nice to get the sulphur smell off my skin prior to getting into the car. While I was relaxing in the pool there were a few folks riding jet skis in the fresh water pond. I did see a few folks rubbing mud on themselves. No way for me.
The facilities include, BBQ, hot pool, men’s and women’s bathrooms, fresh water pond and a trailer park. Gravel road and you must drive in the water to get to the hot pool.
I wouldn’t recommend. If you would like to soak in the area go to Avila.

Classic swimmin’ hole.
Hot springs are a «hot commodity» in the 21^st century. With Sycamore, Esalen, and numerous high class facilities around, you’d think the age of sulphurous ponds surrounded by motor homes and pastures was long gone.
Not at Franklin Hot Springs though. This throwback to a bygone era is a fantastic working class swimming hole. Norm Franklin doesn’t have a pretentious bone in his body. He happily greets the all-​ages and backgrounds clientele as they enter, personally collecting the completely bargain entrance fees.
A perfect spot to crack a six pack of canned beer and watch the stars or fish for whatever swims in the sizable pond next to the springs.
A large «fountain» (really just a busted and rusted old water valve) in the middle of the swimming hole shoots hot water into the otherwise pleasantly warm spring. The sulphur is pungent and palpable.
Don’t come here if regular people intimidate you. This is real California, not the stuff you see on t.v.
⁴⁄₅ stars, would come again! Thanks Norm!

Firstly be warned– when I pulled in and realized I had to drive over the spillway to get to the parking area I was moderately concerned. The water was very shallow and not a problem. Drove past the pond and the geese who were quite content with the place. There are some non-​operating vehicles and some trailers in the back.
I parked and noticed a few other cars. There’s a lil building you pass through to get to the pool. There’s a small black box on the wall to put your $ 7 in. About this point I begin to hear classic rock music playing pool side and am beginning to feel like I have stumbled into Ted Nugents Central Coast Spa. If you are looking for a shi-​shi spa type experience do not come here. If you like laid back, country swim hole type places then this is for you. There are picnic tables and some well used bbq’s I’d prolly bring my own. There is a shade structure, and I realllllly appreciate that there is a shade screen over part of the pool!
There are changing rooms/​toilets. They were functional and clean. There are some spider webs on the walls but. This is the country. The facilities were clean, trashes were empty, and the area around the pool was well maintained.
The pool is accessed by a stairway that can be a little slippery. The water is unfiltered mineral water geothermally heated. There is a slight sulphur smell that is to be expected. The water has a green tint to it but is clear and clean of algae and weeds. The bottom is mineral mud so a lil squishy under the footsies. There are pool noodles and other floatations devices poolside.
I was there around 10am on a weekday. There was an older gentleman, a youngish couple, a man and his son and yours truly. Everyone was quite nice and enjoying themselves. The boy and his dad had brought their 2 terriers and it seems to be acceptable. A man I assume to be the caretaker was working at his trailer that is near the pool. There are at least 2 cameras so that made me feel a little more secure. He has a big ol dog himself so am guessing the place is pet friendly if the pets are friendly.
On the whole, I will be back and bring my country friends with me. :)

I LOVE Franklin Hot Springs! I’ve visited a number of California hot springs including Tassajara Hot Springs and hot springs in Calistoga. Franklin Hot Springs rates top notch for me. No pretension … just hot water, mud, and nature. They are continually making improvements but I hope they retain their funky natural ambiance forever. They are located about 7-​ish minutes from my house. I take all of my visitors there and everyone loves it and requests more time there on each visit. I also refer my clients there and I have a link on my website for people to visit them.
Go! If you like pristine architectural separation from nature this may not be the place for you. If you enjoy feeling primitive, putting your toes in the mud and floating beside a variety of species of ducks and looking into their eyes, you’ll love Franklin Hot Springs as much as I do. A Paso Robles treasure!