Free Camping Collection
Dispersed Camping
Crab Cooker Hotsprings - Dispersed Camping
About
County
Located near Mammoth Lakes, Crab Cooker Hot Springs is one of several hot water springs in the area that are suitable for soaking in. The pool consists of a manmade cement tub with water piped in from a mineral spring about 30 feet away. Though the water at the source is too hot to bathe in, or even to touch, the tub has been outfitted with a valve that allows for the control of hot water.
Crab cooker is located on land that is owned by the LA Department of Water and Power, which forbids camping. However, camping is permitted on nearby public land.
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
Stay Connected
- WiFiUnknown
- VerizonGood
- AT&TAvailable
- T-MobileAvailable
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Dispersed
- Group
- Tent Cabin
Features
For Campers
- Picnic Table
- Phone Service
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
Great spot
We didn’t want to take our camper and trailer combo down the side road to the hot springs but it was only a short bike ride. We camped in a wide spot on the road, but only 2 cars went by. It was late March and we woke up to snow. There are many nooks to camp in, but some of the side roads are narrow and rutted.
Easy to find
Was able to easily find this spot using directions from this app. We came on Labor Day weekend, Sunday and easily found a spot. It was right off the main road so not the best spot but it was perfect for the night. The hot spring was awesome and so many stars at night!
Absolute bliss
Decided to camp out for a couple days after work, didn’t get there til 3am and apparently missed a huge rainstorm by a couple hours. Needless to say we had the hot springs to ourselves the majority of the trip, parking at the edge of the dirt road with only one other car in sight , which I was told was super lucky. Woke up to the most beautiful scenery I have ever seen in my life. The moon was bright but still being able to sit back and watch the stars in a hot spring in the middle of the night was unreal. Not to mention the friendly cows who came to say hello and decided to hang out.
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Location
Crab Cooker Hotsprings - Dispersed Camping is located in California
Directions
The Crab Cooker hot springs are found off of Benton Crossing Road off of Hwy 395 (easy to find as the turnoff to Benton Crossing is marked by an iconic green church.) After turning onto Benton Crossing Road, pass the 3rd cattle gate, and then take a left on the next dirt road. At the end of this road you’ll find a parking area and then a .2 mile path to the hot spring. The dirt road to the hot spring is pretty rough and so a 4WD vehicle is definitely recommended, or in the least a car with high clearance.
Coordinates
37.6627603 N
118.8001536 W