Surprise Valley Hot Springs: The Hidden Gem Of Northeastern California

Burrowed between Warner Mountains and the Hays Canyon Range, in the lovely small town of Cedarville, CA is a hidden gem for visitors but a beloved destination for locals, Surprise Valley Hot Springs – a family-owned remote hotel housing dozens of hot spring tubs ready to tend to your rejuvenating needs. 

With its convenient location that offers countless outdoor activities for visitors, therapeutic massage opportunities, and moderately digital-free policies, Surprise Valley Hot Springs offers a great balance between healing and detachment from any corporate hustle. However, if you think that this type of scenery and environment isn’t your thing, then you can take a look at our compiled list of the best hot springs in California that will help you find the ones that match your preferences.

The beautiful view of the mighty Warner Mountains.
Address67254 CA-299, Cedarville, California 96104
Location5 miles east of Cedarville, California.
OpenAll-year-round
ClothingOptional
Temperature101
Road AccessEasy; any vehicle
AdmissionRequired ($90-$177)

All You Need To Know

One of the outdoor tubs at Surprise Valley Hot Springs.

We’ll tell you straight up: if you’re looking for something fancy and glamorous, then Surprise Valley isn’t for you, but if you live near Cedarville, California, and are looking for a remote destination available for adults only? Then your search is up because this is just the place for you. 

Yes, okay, an adults-only hot springs facility is probably a pretty niche thing to be looking for. However, looking for solitude and quality time with your loved ones is universal, and the fact that by visiting Surprise Valley HS you’ll get the majestic bonus of thermal water treatment sounds really neat, doesn’t it?

The best thing about Surprise Valley Hot Springs – apart from its peaceful and remote location, of course – is that it houses a hot springs tub in every room! So not only do you not have to worry about crowds, but you can also spend your time however you wish while having a large thermal tub all to yourself without any prying eyes. And most importantly, in the comfort of your private room, you can choose whether you’d like to soak nude or not. 

This hotel has no pretenses and is simply the picture of seclusion and rustic charm that we know a lot of people vibe with.

The rooms are lovely, with a bit of a back-country-style aesthetic; they’re all wood and stone built into the walls. The indoor hot spring tubs look like the usual tubs whereas the outdoor ones are slightly bigger, built into the concrete ground, and bordered by tall wooden fences for privacy.

Outdoor hot springs tub.

Each tub is filled with thermal liquid from a 200-foot-deep artesian well located nearby. Another perk of these tubs is that the temperature is adjustable and can go up to 101°F. 

The tubs are cleaned after every use, drained continually, and include no chemicals. So it’s all-natural. 

The convenient location of Surprise Valley also offers visitors a lot of recreational activity opportunities such as hiking, fishing, and bird watching, as well as exploring the nearby desert and wilderness areas. 

Don’t let its humble appearance give you the wrong impression. Surprise Valley HS is very much loved and frequented by locals and newcomers alike, and they’re almost always booked up. Even though walk-ins are allowed, it’s best to reserve a room in advance.

Accommodation Rates

TypePrice for Monday – ThursdayPrice for Friday – Sunday
Standard$90$127
Deluxe$115$147
1 Bedroom Suite #3, #22$125$157
2 Bedroom Suite #23$135$167
2 Bedroom Suite #19, #20$145$177
You can make advanced reservations here.

Additional Information On Accommodation

  • All rooms feature a private hot springs tub
  • All rooms have cookware, utensils, cups, a coffee maker, and a microwave. 
  • Standard rooms are equipped with kitchenettes and refrigerators
  • Deluxe rooms and suites come with ovens in addition to kitchenettes and fridges. They also include living rooms. 
  • All rooms are accessible to people with mobility issues. Except for suites 22 and 23. They’re situated upstairs.
  • All rooms have a maximum occupancy of two people except for 2-bedroom suites that can accommodate up to four people.
  • There are 10 pet-friendly rooms available: Deluxe #2, #4, #6, #8, #9, and #18. Suite #3. Standards #15, #16 #17.
  • The charge for bringing pets is $35.
  • 2 dogs per room are allowed. 
  • An additional 4% is required for bed tax
Surprise Valley Cedarville CA (0856)
The Warner Mountains are seen from the town of Cedarville, CA. You can get the same beautiful view from Surprise Valley Hot Springs.

Policies

  • Check-in time: 4 pm, Check-out time: 11 am
  • Office hours: 9 am – 12 noon, 1 pm – 4 pm
    (the present office hours have been reduced from these. We recommend you make your reservations online.)
  • Reservations are required
  • Two-night minimum on all reservations
  • The full amount of your reservation will be charged at the time of booking
  • A flat cancellation charge of $25 will be charged to any canceled reservation.
  • 7-day cancellation is required.
  • 14-day cancellation is required for holidays.
  • These policies apply to cancellations based on weather
  • “No Shows” are non-refundable
  • All rooms & hot tub areas are non-smoking
  • Reservations require a credit card for guarantee. Major credit cards accepted – VISA and MASTERCARD.
  • Gift Certificates are available for lodging rates or any dollar amount. A Gift Certificate can be ordered by phone or online
  • Self Check-In 4:00 p.m. Your key will be in an envelope with your last name, attached to the office door.
  • Property and Amenities are for reserved guests only.
  • No walk-ins after 4 pm
  • You must have a confirmed reservation
  • No early check-ins
  • No late checkouts
  • If you must move to another room, expect to
  • remove your items by 11 am and check back in at 3 pm

What To Take Into Account

  • The facility is available for adults aged 21 and up
  • No WiFi is available. The facility values digital detox.
  • The use of the hot springs is available for overnight guests only.
  • Smoking is not allowed.
Review on Yelp!

Etiquette Guidelines

Of course, it is highly urged to follow all the rules mentioned above. Additionally, it is essential to take care of the water itself. It’s up to us to maintain the quality of the water and make sure not to exploit it. For more detailed Do’s and Don’ts guidelines, please click here and check out our compiled list of appropriate behavior with hot springs. 

Most of the guidelines on this list also apply to appropriate interaction with any sort of wilderness.

Review on Yelp!

How Do I Get To Surprise Valley Hot Springs?

Surprise Valley Hot Springs is located on Highway. 299, 5 miles east of Cedarville, California.

Continuing east from Cedarville, cross a dry lake bed on a causeway. Soon after you’ll see the Surprise Valley Hot Springs sign and the entrance is on the right-hand side. After that, drive one mile to the hotel.

Nearby Camping Opportunities

Most probably, one would be coming to Surprise Valley Hot Springs after your camping trip. However for those who are still looking for some camping opportunities, here are some campgrounds near Cedarville, CA that you can check out and are pretty well-rated by visitors:

  • Back of Beyond
  • Joe K.’s Land
  • Camp Stoney Meadows
  • Camp Almanor at Big Springs 
  • Wild Plumas Glamping

What Else Can I Explore?

It’s highly recommended to visit Surprise Valley HS during the winter months. Not only is it absolutely beneficial for your health seeing that you’ll simultaneously be soaking in a thermal bath, but also because you can have fun at the Cedar Pass Ski area that is located only 8 miles from the town. 

Through a broader lens though, Ceradville is a part of Modoc Country which is very well-known for its beautiful scenery and historical sites. So if you want to go exploring, the best option would be to go sightseeing. Some visitors’ favorite picks include:

  • US-395 Division Creek Rental Rest Stop
  • Modoc National Forest
  • Modoc National Wildlife Refuge
  • Lava Beds National Monument
  • Tule Lake Relocation Center 
  • Cedar Pass Snow Park
  • Petroglyph Point 
  • Old Perpetual

You can also visit Lake City, Eagleville, and Fort Bidwell. These are the villages located nearby.

Honorable Mentions

Surprise Valley is often referred to as the Tricorner Region by locals, because of its layout that intersects three state lines: California, Oregon, and Nevada. 

So if you think that Surprise Valley Hot Springs is not for you, yet you’re still looking for a soaking opportunity, you’re in luck because you can check out springs from three different states. 

In California:

In Oregon:

In Nevada:

The Final-Takeaway

It is important to note that Surprise Valley Hot Springs is a relatively budget-friendly alternative for hot springs enthusiasts out there. As we already mentioned, if you’re looking for something fancy, then maybe it’s best you look for different options or choose from the ones listed above.

However, if being budget and pet-friendly, having beautiful scenery and complete solitude is precisely your goal, then you can always consider this place. This is a great opportunity for couples to get away and spend some quality time together, or for taking a well-deserved rest after exploring the surrounding outdoors.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Surprise Valley Hot Springs clothing optional?

Yes. Every room in Surprise Valley Hot Springs is equipped with private hot spring tubs so seeing the comfort of privacy, it’s up to you to decide whether you’d like to soak in a swimsuit or not.

How much is the admission to Surprise Valley Hot Springs?

The admission differs on weekdays and weekends as well as depending on accommodation options. The price range is $90-$177

Where is Surprise Valley Hot Springs?

Surprise Valley Hot Springs is located 5 miles east of Cedarville, California.

Does Surprise Valley Hot Springs offer accommodation?

Yes, there is a big selection of accommodation options available

Does Surprise Valley Hot Springs offer day use of the hot springs?

Unfortunately, the use of the springs is available for overnight guests only.

Disclaimer

While we at Traxplorio do our very best to give you the latest information about these hot springs sites, life happens, weather happens, and property owners happen. We always recommend you go to the official hot springs’ web page and/or the relevant state authority page to check conditions, times, and prices (where relevant) before you head out. Thanks for understanding, and enjoy your soak!

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