Travertine Hot Spring, Natural hot spring in Mono County, California, US
Travertine Hot Spring is a natural thermal spring in Mono County, near the small town of Bridgeport in California. The water flows into a series of terraced pools shaped by mineral deposits, sitting in the open landscape just outside town.
Native peoples of the region knew this spring for thousands of years and visited it for the mineral-rich water. Later, miners and early settlers in the 19th century also used the hot water to wash and recover after long days working in the mountains.
The Travertine Hot Spring near Bridgeport has long been a gathering spot for locals and travelers who come simply to soak and look at the mountains. Clothing is optional here, which gives the place a relaxed and open character that many visitors find refreshing.
A regular car is enough for the dirt road leading from Bridgeport, which is clearly signed. Some pools run very hot, so it is worth testing the water temperature carefully before getting in.
The pool right next to the parking area has a concrete wall and is the only one that is easy to reach for people with limited mobility. Further up, hidden among rocks, there are smaller pools that most visitors never find, each barely big enough for two people.
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