Jordan Hot Springs

Prior to European contact, the hot springs and the surrounding area was used by the local Indigenous people for centuries as a summer encampment area. In 1857, John Jordan, a Texan, and his family moved to Tulare County during the gold and silver rush, In 1861 he blazed a trail to the hot springs and filed a petition to build a toll road, called the Jordan Trail. The following year he drowned in the Kern River while navigating a raft across the river. In the late 19th century a grouping of log cabins and a logging camp was built.[3][2]

In 1992, Jordan Hot Springs received National Historic Landmark status.[2]

There are at least fourteen hot springs making up the Jordan Hot Springs system.[2] Hot mineral water emerges from the springs at 120°F, and flows down to meet Nine Mile Creek where it cools and collects in a series of primitive rock-walled soaking pools of various temperatures. The average temperature of the water in the soaking pools is 104°F.[4] There is also a small, two-foot deep concrete-lined soaking pool.[1]

The spring can be reached by way of a trail originating at the Blackrock Station, the trail descends 3,000 feet during the six mile hike to the springs; the moderately rigorous return hike ascends 3,000 feet.[1][5] The ruins of an abandoned early 20th century resort camp are nearby.[4]

GPS coordinates: N 36 13.740 W 118 18.120

• List of hot springs in the United States
• List of hot springs in the world