Lido Palms Hot Springs

## Overview Lido Palms Hot Springs is a natural hot spring located in the desert landscape of Southern California, near the Coachella Valley at approximate coordinates 33.9555° N, 116.4886° W. Situated in the arid terrain east of the San Bernardino Mountains, this spring falls within a region renowned for its geothermal activity — the same tectonic forces along the San Andreas Fault system that give rise to numerous hot springs throughout the greater Palm Springs and Desert Hot Springs area. The name "Lido Palms" evokes the palm-lined oases that dot this stretch of the California desert, where underground thermal water rises to the surface through fractures in the earth's crust. The broader Desert Hot Springs region sits atop a subterranean aquifer system split by the Mission Creek branch of the San Andreas Fault, with hot mineral water on the north side and cold water on the south — a geological curiosity that has drawn visitors and settlers for generations. Indigenous Cahuilla people are known to have used the thermal waters of this region long before European contact. While specific water temperature and mineral composition data for Lido Palms Hot Springs are not widely documented, hot springs in this immediate area typically range from warm to very hot (often 100°F–180°F at the source) and may contain dissolved minerals such as sulfate, bicarbonate, and trace elements common to desert geothermal systems. Visitors have historically sought out these waters for relaxation and perceived therapeutic benefits. ## Directions 1. From Interstate 10, take the Palm Drive / Gene Autry Trail exit toward Desert Hot Springs. 2. Head north on Palm Drive. 3. The GPS coordinates (33.9555, -116.4886) place the spring in the Desert Hot Springs vicinity. Use a GPS-enabled device or mapping app to navigate to the precise coordinates: **33.9555° N, 116.4886° W**. 4. Be aware that access roads in this area may be unpaved or unmarked. A vehicle with decent ground clearance is recommended if traveling on dirt roads. *Note: These directions are approximate and based on GPS coordinates. Visitors are encouraged to verify current access conditions before heading out, as desert roads and land access can change.* ## What to Expect The area surrounding Lido Palms Hot Springs is characterized by open desert terrain with sparse vegetation, scattered fan palms, and sweeping views of the San Bernardino and Little San Bernardino mountain ranges. Depending on the season, daytime temperatures can be extremely hot in summer (often exceeding 110°F) and pleasantly mild in winter — making the cooler months (October through April) the most comfortable time to visit. The spring itself may present as a small pool or seep in the desert landscape. As with many remote desert hot springs, facilities are likely minimal to nonexistent, so visitors should come prepared with plenty of water, sun protection, and appropriate footwear for rocky or sandy terrain. Cell service may be limited in the area. Land ownership and access permissions in the desert can be complex — some springs in this region are on private property, while others are on public BLM land. It is advisable to check current land status and any access restrictions before visiting. The surrounding Coachella Valley and Desert Hot Springs area offer additional hot spring resorts, hiking trails in Joshua Tree National Park (just to the northeast), and the cultural attractions of Palm Springs, making Lido Palms Hot Springs a worthwhile stop as part of a broader desert exploration.