Hot Springs Near Ojai: 6 Best Soaks From Rustic to Wild

Nestled between Los Angeles and Santa Barbara, Ojai is one of Southern California’s most quietly magical towns. But beyond its art galleries, pink-hued sunsets, and organic restaurants lies something even more compelling: a collection of natural hot springs that draw soakers, hikers, and wellness seekers from across the state. 

Whether you want a reservation-based soak in a sulfur rock pool or a multi-day wilderness backpacking adventure to a remote tub, the hot springs near Ojai offer something for every level of adventurer.

This guide covers the best options from easy-access private springs to deep backcountry gems — so you can plan the perfect soak in Ventura County’s wild terrain. For more California soaking destinations, visit SoakDestinations.com, a comprehensive resource for hot spring travel across the state.

Why Ojai Is a Hot Spring Destination?

The Ojai Valley sits within the Transverse Ranges of Southern California, a geologically active zone where tectonic forces push mineral-rich thermal water toward the surface. The result is a cluster of natural springs scattered across the Los Padres National Forest and Sespe Wilderness — many of them sulfur-rich, warm to the touch, and tucked into dramatic canyon landscapes.

The region’s history with hot springs goes back centuries. Indigenous Chumash peoples are believed to have used these mineral waters for healing and cleansing long before European settlers arrived. By the late 1800s, resorts had sprung up along Matilija Canyon to accommodate visitors seeking rest and recovery. Today, some of those historic sites remain, while others have evolved into community-managed sanctuaries or remain accessible only to determined backcountry hikers.

The 6 Best Hot Springs Near Ojai

1. Ecotopia Hot Springs (Ojai Hot Springs) — Best Overall

• Location: 2566 Matilija Canyon Rd, Ojai, CA 93023
• Distance from Ojai: ~9.2 miles
• Temperature: 98°F – 113°F depending on pool
• Admission: ~$20 per person (reservation required)
• Hours: 8 AM – 8 PM, closed Tuesdays

Ecotopia Hot Springs widely known as the Ojai Hot Springs — is the most popular and accessible choice among all the hot springs near Ojai. Set along Matilija Creek in the Los Padres National Forest, this privately managed sanctuary consists of five sulfur rock pools ranging from intimate two-person soaks to a 20-foot-wide communal pool. A short 300-foot paved pathway leads from a simple changing area through a landscape of boulders and native vegetation to the spring pools along the river’s edge.

If you want a deeper look at pool temperatures, seasonal tips, and a first-hand visitor experience, the complete Ojai Hot Springs guide at SoakDestinations is an excellent resource before you book.

2. Vickers Hot Springs — Best for Off-the-Beaten-Path Soakers

• Location: Matilija Canyon, Ventura County
• Distance from Ojai: ~6 miles
• Temperature: 100°F – 106°F
• Admission: Free (verify access status before visiting)
• Facilities: None

Located about six miles from downtown Ojai in Matilija Canyon, Vickers Hot Springs is a secluded and minimalist experience. Several handmade stone pools sit in and along Matilija Creek, fed by sulfur-rich thermal waters. The site is clothing-optional and entirely unregulated, with no changing rooms, restrooms, or signage.

The Atmosphere at Vickers

The appeal here is the sense of genuine solitude. Unlike commercial springs, Vickers feels truly wild — the kind of spot that rewards explorers who prefer their soaking without crowds or infrastructure. The surrounding canyon is visually striking, particularly during fall and spring when foliage colors the hillsides.

What to know:

• No facilities of any kind — plan accordingly
• May be on private property in part; always verify current land access status locally
• Sulfur-rich waters with notable mineral content
• Ideal for experienced visitors comfortable with unregulated, natural spring settings
• Not recommended for young children due to terrain and complete lack of amenities
• Pets allowed if leashed

3. Willett Hot Springs — Best for Serious Hikers

• Location: Sespe Wilderness, Los Padres National Forest
• Distance from Ojai: ~21 miles north (30 miles to trailhead)
• Hike: 9.5 miles one-way from Piedra Blanca Trailhead (20.1 miles round trip)
• Temperature: 99°F – 102°F
• Admission: Free; Adventure Pass or Interagency Pass required for trailhead parking ($5/day or $30 annually)

For those willing to earn their soak, Willett Hot Springs is one of the most rewarding hot springs near Ojai. Located deep in the Sespe Wilderness, the spring is reached by a 9.5-mile hike along the Sespe River Trail — a route that crosses the river multiple times, passes ancient oaks and bays, and winds through one of Southern California’s last truly wild river canyons.

At trail’s end, a man-made circular tub about ten feet in diameter awaits, piped with geothermally heated mineral water that maintains a steady temperature between 99°F and 102°F. The tub occasionally accumulates sediment after rain events, but brushes are kept on-site to clean it out — and it naturally refills in about an hour after draining.

Key features:

• Remote, primitive soak with zero commercial infrastructure
• Sespe Creek runs beside the trail and offers swimming holes along the route
• Free backcountry camping throughout the Sespe Wilderness
• No backcountry permit required, but a free California campfire permit is needed for fires and stoves
• Clothing-optional; nudity is common at the tub

Trail details:

• Distance: 20.1 miles round trip
• Elevation gain: approximately 2,486 feet
• Average completion time: 8–9 hours for the full round trip
• Dogs allowed on leash
• Pit toilet at trailhead; no facilities along the trail

Getting there: From Ojai, drive north on Hwy 33 for approximately 15 miles, then turn right at the signed junction for Rose Valley/Piedra Blanca. Continue 5 miles on the paved forest road to the trailhead.

Best time to visit: Spring (April–May) and fall (October–November). Avoid summer due to extreme heat along the exposed trail and potential low water levels in the creek.

4. Sespe Hot Springs — Best for Dedicated Backpackers

• Location: Sespe Wilderness, Los Padres National Forest
• Distance from trailhead: ~15.5 miles one-way (32 miles round trip)
• Temperature: 85°F – 104°F depending on pool
• Admission: Free; Adventure Pass required for trailhead parking

Beyond Willett, another 6 miles deeper into the Sespe Wilderness, lies Sespe Hot Springs — the most remote of all the hot springs near Ojai, and arguably the most spectacular. These are naturally occurring pools fed by thermal springs along Hot Springs Creek, set against the towering cliffs of one of Southern California’s most rugged wilderness areas.

Unlike Willett’s single man-made tub, Sespe offers multiple pools with a wider temperature range, allowing for more varied soaking. The route passes through Chumash tribal ancestral lands and, at certain times of year, offers a rare opportunity to spot California condors soaring above — the Sespe Condor Sanctuary is located within this same wilderness.

Wildlife Along the Sespe

The Sespe Wilderness is home to desert bighorn sheep, reintroduced to the area in 1985 after local extinction. Visitors who complete the full 32-mile round trip have reported sightings near the springs — a remarkable wildlife encounter in the context of a soaking trip.

Key features:

• Multiple natural pools with varied temperatures
• Wild, undeveloped setting with no amenities
• Sespe Creek — Southern California’s last major undammed river — flows alongside the trail
• California condors and bighorn sheep possible wildlife sightings
• Primitive campsites available throughout the wilderness

Planning notes:

• This is a multi-day trip; plan for at least two nights
• Carry a water filter — all river water must be treated before drinking
• Cell service is non-existent in the Sespe Wilderness; download offline maps in advance
• A California campfire permit is required for stoves and fires

5. Matilija Hot Springs — Best for History Buffs

• Location: Matilija Canyon, northwest of Ojai (near Matilija Dam)
• Status: Currently closed to the public (Ventura County Historical Landmark #25)

Matilija Hot Springs is more than a soaking spot — it is a chapter in the history of Southern California wellness culture. Designated a Ventura County Historical Landmark in 1972, the site encompasses 22 hot and cold springs within a 9-acre area and was the location of one of the region’s most celebrated resort complexes from the 1870s through the early 20th century.

A Resort Built on Healing Waters

The first resort at Matilija was developed in the 1870s, with springs bearing names like “Fountain of Life,” “Mother Eve,” and “Lithia.” A hotel, bathhouse, stables, and camping area were eventually built to accommodate up to 100 guests. The sulfur spring water reached temperatures up to 116°F, and the resort drew visitors from across California seeking relief from various ailments. 

The 2017 Thomas Fire devastated the remaining historic structures, and the site is now owned by Ventura County and closed to the public. Though visitors cannot soak here today, its story is essential for understanding hot spring culture in the Ojai Valley.

6. Wheeler Hot Springs — Best as a Hiking Waypoint

• Location: Along North Fork Matilija Creek, off Hwy 33 north of Ojai
• Distance from Ojai: ~8 miles
•  Status: Primarily a hiking area; check current access conditions

Wheeler Hot Springs sits roughly eight miles from Ojai along Highway 33 in the Los Padres National Forest. The site was first developed as a resort in 1894 by Wheeler Blumberg — son of the same Abram Blumberg who built the Matilija resort downstream. Over the following century, Wheeler Springs passed through many owners and survived floods and fires before settling into its current role as a local hiking area.

Today, Wheeler Gorge Campground is located nearby and serves as an accessible base for exploring the canyon. The 0.6-mile Wheeler Gorge Nature Trail provides an easy introduction to the riparian landscape, and the adjacent visitor center runs ranger-led nature programs for families.

Nearby camping:

• Wheeler Gorge Campground: $20/night, first-come, first-served
• Middle Lion and Rose Valley campgrounds also accessible from Hwy 33

Final Thoughts

The hot springs near Ojai span a remarkable range — from a $20 reservation at a rock-pool sanctuary to a 32-mile wilderness backpacking adventure ending at a remote geothermal pool. Whatever your comfort level, the Ojai Valley’s thermal waters are among Southern California’s finest natural gifts.

Start with Ecotopia if you’re new to the area or prefer a managed experience. Try Vickers for something wilder and less structured. And if you’re ready to earn your soak the hard way, the Sespe Wilderness rewards the effort with a level of solitude and natural beauty that few places in the American West can match.