Nude Hiking Trip to Deep Creek Hot Springs (SBNF)
Our post-Thanksgiving hike and soak — work off the stuffing with a trip to Deep Creek Hot Springs on Saturday, November 28. This one’s a combined gathering with NitOC, SCNA, and San Diego’s Camping Bares, hiking in from Bowen Ranch. If you’d rather come in from a different trail, that’s fine too — just meet us at the springs.
Nudity is welcome from the parking area, down the trail to the hot springs, and along the PCT above and below them — it’s a clothing-optional event, and a good first chance to try it if you haven’t before. Worth checking the forecast before you go — late November can run cold, so how comfortable nude hiking feels in or out will depend on the day.
The trail in from Bowen Ranch runs just over 2 miles each way, with roughly 900–950 ft of elevation change — meaning a real climb on the way back out. It’s a moderate hike for anyone in fair shape, with a couple of steeper stretches to require careful footing. It is not handicap accessible.
Trail map and elevation profile: View on AllTrails. For photos and detailed directions to Bowen Ranch itself: deepcreekvolunteers.com.
Bowen Ranch charges $5 per person for day use, paid at the cabin — after that, drive past the chain-link fence, turn left, then immediately right, and follow the road down to the bottom parking lot. Aim to arrive by 10–10:15am. There’s no water, no toilets, and no supplies at Bowen Ranch, so bring everything you’ll need to eat, drink, and stay warm for the day. If you’re carpooling, lock in your arrival and departure times with your group ahead of time.
Driving in: from the 15 in Hesperia, take Main St. and turn right. Follow Main about 7.3 miles to Rock Springs Road and turn left — it becomes Round Up Way, about 5.7 miles paved and another 1.3 miles of dirt. Turn right on Bowen Ranch Road, go about 5.6 miles, then take the left fork to the Bowen Ranch cabin and gate.
Afterward, we’ll likely head to dinner in Hesperia at Casa Jimenez (15800 Main St.) — open to changing that if the group prefers somewhere else. Come join us.