Wilbur Hot Springs Northeast of San Francisco
Wilbur Hot Springs is a commercial hot springs resort located in the quiet town of Williams in Northern California. The facilities are housed on an 1800 acre property that serves as a refuge from the bustling outside world and a sanctuary for relaxation and reflection. Wilbur is completely off-grid, where all power at the property is generated from solar energy. Everyone is welcomed to experience the healing bliss and to rejuvenate body and soul at this unique hot spirngs resort.
Wilbur Hot Pool Information
There are three geothermal pools available for soaking including the flumes, a hot water swimming pool, and an outdoor hot mineral flume. The waters contain beneficial minerals such as lithium, boron, silicate, manganese, zinc, calcium, potassium and many others that nourish the body. Wilbur is said to have a wider variety of minerals in its water than most hot springs in California.
Usage and Access Fees
To enjoy the therapeutic benefits of Wilbur Hot Springs, you can choose to rent a room or campsite for an overnight stay or just enjoy the facilities for the day. The day-use fee is $59 per person during weekdays and $65 per person on weekends and public holidays, allowing you to enjoy the facilities between the hours of 10 am and 5 pm. Purchasing a day pass option enables you with access to all the hot pools, sauna and nature preserve on the property. FYI, reservations are required for day pass purchases.
Wilbur Hot Springs Overnight Lodging
Overnight guests have a variety of options to rest their heads. The Solar Lodge is a spacious and sunny passive-solar building on a hill overlooking the Wilbur valley. It features six private rooms and a 5-bed bunk room. Seven duplex cabins and one Suite cabin are located just below the Solar Lodge. The Suite cabin includes a private kitchen/dining/living area as well as an outdoor deck. The historic hotel contains the common spaces for guests including a large, well-equipped community kitchen, two dining rooms, library, lobby/Country Store, wrap-around veranda and two private rooms with a shared bath.
Camping Information
The facility also offers camping options seasonally from April to October. There are four campsites on the property, and each includes a 12 x 16 camping platform, a fee of $75 plus taxes per person is charged for the camping facilities, and you will have access to all the amenities at the resort when you rent a camping site. Wilbur Hot Springs also provides a spacious parking area.
History
Wilbur has been around for centuries and was a spiritual haven for Native American tribes such as the Patwin, Colusi, Wintun, and Pomo. According to local folklore, the hot springs became famous for its curative powers when one of Congressman John Bidwell’s men was extremely ill while on a gold prospecting expedition in 1863. It is said that Native Americans recommended a source of healing waters and Bidwell’s man made a full recovery after taking a dip in the curative hot water. After this miraculous healing, word began to spread about the health benefits and Wilbur Hot Springs was eventually founded by Dr. Richard Louis Miller in 1972 and since has developed into one of the most popular hot springs in Northern California.
Wilbur Hot Springs Driving Directions
From the Bay Area:
Take I-80 East to I-505 North, then I-505 North to Highway 16. Travel on Highway 16 until reaching an intersection with Highway 20. Drive a short distance (675 ft) west on Highway 20 until reaching Bear Valley Road. Continue on this gravel road for 4 miles, then turn left to cross the silver bridge. Drive for another mile to reach the hot springs.
2 Reviews on “Wilbur Hot Springs”
Do not go there! Came here with my mom to spend the day. On their website they say that since there’s no food available for purchase, they have a community kitchen that’s available for everyone to cook at. We brought food for cooking, and, when we got there we were informed that the kitchen was being used for an event and was unavailable. We had to improvise with snacks and had to leave earlier without enjoying the full day we paid for (and it’s not cheap!). When I complained about, I got no explanations as to why I wasn’t informed that the kitchen wouldn’t be available at the day of my reservation, nor attempts to make it up to me. Expensive prices that don’t match their service at all! Don’t recommend!
I’ll also say don’t go there as 5pm is too early to be kicked out when paying for an expensive $59 day pass. They are a long way from anywhere so they need longer hours. The other problem is Day use starts late at 10 am. I arrived at 10 once and it took a half hour or an hour to find someone to check me in.