Springville & California Hot Springs

Overview

Springville, CA is a small town situated in the southwestern Sierra Nevada foothills along Highway 190. It is located near the Tule River just outside the boundaries of Sequoia National Forest & Giant Sequoia National Monument. Springville is known as the "Gateway to the Golden Trout Wilderness." Although it's a small town, it provides many services to those hikers and climbers passing through on their way to explore the wilderness and the peaks in the southern part of the Great Western Divide. This page will help point you where you can stay, eat, get supplies, fill up on gas, get a shower, etc. in Springville and other neighboring small communities including Balch Park and Mountain Home, Wishon, Pierpoint Springs, Camp Nelson, and Ponderosa.

I also included information for California Hot Springs which is about an hour south of Springville. Many people will pass through this very small community on County Road M-56 as an alternative to Hwy 190 to access these mountain areas and it does provide some services (note, there is no gasoline available here so fill up in Ducor!) California Hot Springs is well known for its small family-run Hot Springs Resort. Here, for a small fee, you can swim in the hot mineral waters which are piped into a large pool and two spas. This, combined with nearby camping options, make this a popular destination all by itself! Or, it is certainly an attraction after climbing the Needles or exploring other nearby trails. Check out their website: www.cahotsprings.com.

Getting There

Map of the Springville and CA Hot Springs area

Springville is on Highway 190 about 15 miles east of Porterville, CA. Hwy 190 connects to Highway 65 at Porterville and to Highway 99 at Tipton, CA.

Highway 190 Road Conditions from the CA Dept of Transportation

California Hot Springs is on County Road M-56 about 25 miles east of Ducor, CA. M-56 connects to Highway 65 at Ducor which is about 15 miles south of Porterville and 30 miles north of Bakersfield, CA.

Camping & Lodging

Between Porterville and Springville

Eagle’s Nest Resort
27798 Hwy 190, Porterville, CA 93257
(559) 784-3948
Camping, general store, hot showers!

Success Lake
30300 Hwy 190, Porterville, CA 93258
(559) 783-9200
(559) 781-2078 – marina
email: success-info@spk.usace.army.mil
website: corpslakes.usace.army.mil/visitors/projects.cfm?Id=L217680
Camp, fish, boat, picnic, hunt.
 

The Springville Inn

In Springville

Springville Inn/Stagecoach Bar & Grill
35634 Hwy 190, Springville, CA 93265
(559) 539-2611
e-mail: carleen@springvilleinn.com
website: www.springvilleinn.com
Charming country inn with fine dining.

Annie’s Bed & Breakfast
33024 Globe Drive, Springville, CA 93265
(559) 539-3827
e-mail: bozanich@lightspeed.net
website: www.anniesbandb.tripod.com
Three guest rooms in a rural country setting.

River Ridge Ranch
P.O. Box 879
Springville, California 93265
(559) 539-0207
website: www.river-ridge.net
Rustic cabins, camping, horses riding and boarding, special events (weddings, reunions, etc.)

Three Springs Ranch
44246 Balch Park Road
Springville, CA 93265
email: info@threespringsranch.com
phone (323) 481-1426 days, (559) 539-2286 evenings
website: www.threespringsranch.com
Rental cabins in the peaceful foothills located about 10 miles above Springville on the Balch Park Road

Balch County Park & Mountain Home State Forest Campgrounds
Located about 25 miles above Springville off of the Balch Park Road, open May-November
website: www.geocities.com/troop484.geo/camping/balch_park.html (Please note, Balch Park Campground is now $16/night)

Mountain Home Forest Service Cabin
Mountain Home Cabin, located near Balch Park, open May-November
website: www.fs.fed.us/r5/sequoia/recreation/rec_rentals.html

Above Springville on Hwy 190

Coy Flat Campground Site

Forest Service Campgrounds
Wishon Campground, located 12 miles above Springville, open year-round
Belknap Campground, located near Camp Nelson, open April-November
Coy Flat Campground, located near Camp Nelson, open May-November
Quaking Aspen Campground, located near Ponderosa, open May-November
website: www.fs.fed.us/r5/sequoia/recreation/campgrounds.html
 

Quaking Aspen Campground Site

Forest Service Cabins
Wishon Cabin, located 12 miles above Springville, open year-round
Quaking Aspen Cabin, located near Ponderosa, open May-November
website: www.fs.fed.us/r5/sequoia/recreation/rec_rentals.html
 

Quaking Aspen Cabin

Pierpoint Springs Resort/Post Office
801 Hwy 190, Camp Nelson, CA 93208
(559) 542-2423 or 542-2424
website: www.pierpointsprings.com
Motel, restaurant, bar, post office, market, gift shop, and special events.

Camp Nelson RV Park
Nelson Dr, Camp Nelson, CA 93208
(559) 781-1739 – office
(559) 542-0122 – weekends
33 full hookups. Full $25, electric/water $20, tent $15, hot showers $5.

Camp Nelson Lodge
1699 Nelson Dr, Camp Nelson, CA 93208
(559) 542-0904 or (714) 998-5002
Special event facility and hotel; weddings/catering.

Camp Nelson Horse Motel
Camp Nelson, CA 93208
(559) 542-6218
Horse accommodations, swimming pond, private fishing pond.
 

The Ponderosa Lodge

Ponderosa Lodge
56692 Aspen Dr, Ponderosa, CA
(559) 542-2579
Motel, bar, restaurant, gift shop, gas, propane, x-country ski rentals.

Mountain Top Bed & Breakfast
56816 Aspen Dr, Ponderosa, CA
(559) 542-2639
e-mail: mountaintop@lightspeed.net
website: www.mountaintopbnb.com
Quiet retreat in a small community in the Sierra Nevada mountains.

In California Hot Springs

Forest Service Campgrounds
Leavis Flat Campground, located near CA Hot Springs Resort, open year-round
White River Campground, located south of CA Hot Springs about 8 miles, open May-November
website: www.fs.fed.us/r5/sequoia/recreation/campgrounds.html

Quail Valley Recreational Village
40587 Hot Springs Rd
P.O. Box 33, California Hot Springs, CA 93207
(661) 548-6299
e-mail: info@quailvalleyrv.com
website: www.quailvalleyrv.com
RV and tent camping near Deer Creek, fishing

California Hot Springs Resort
42177 Hot Springs Dr
PO Box 146, California Hot Springs, CA 93207
(661) 548-6582
website: www.cahotsprings.com
Heated pool and spa
RV park, tent camping, groceries, deli, ice cream

Hot Springs Cabin Rentals
(818) 951-0230
website: www.hotspringsrentals.net

Restaurants, markets, gas

Between Porterville and Springville

Lake Express Market
28779 Hwy 190, Porterville, CA 93257
(559) 789-9137
Gas and market.

Rustlers Steakhouse and Saloon
29198 Hwy 190, Porterville, CA 93257
(559) 781-1510
Steak and lobster, seafood, outdoor dining.

Eagle Mountain Casino
681 South Tule Road, Porterville, CA 93258
(559) 788-6220
(800) 903-3353
email: info@eaglemtncasino.com
website: http://www.eaglemtncasino.com/html/home.htm
Buffet offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
 

Gifford's Market

In Springville

Gifford’s Market & Shell
35637 Hwy 190, Springville, CA 93265
(559) 539-2637
Sells Sequoia National Forest Maps, gas, market, deli, firewood, video rental, and fishing licenses.
 

Springville Food Mart & Chevron

Springville Food Mart & Chevron
35514 Hwy 190, Springville, CA 93265
(559) 539-3774
Gas, market, and fishing licenses.
 

El Nuevo

El Nuevo Mexicali III
35258 Hwy 190, Springville, CA 93265
(559) 539-2379
Good inexpensive Mexican food, family dining.
 

The Hamburger Stand

The Hamburger Stand
35684 Hwy 190, Springville, CA 93265
(559) 539-2943
Home of the Ranch-hand Burger! Informal family dining.

Springville Inn/Stagecoach Bar & Grill
35634 Hwy 190, Springville, CA 93265
(559) 539-2611
e-mail: carleen@springvilleinn.com
website: www.springvilleinn.com
Charming country inn with fine dining.

The Pizza Station
35601 Hwy 190, Springville, CA 93265
(559) 539-3191
Good pizza, appetizers, family dining.
 

Doug's Cafe

Doug’s Cafe
35585 Hwy 190, Springville, CA 93265
(559) 539-3179
Family style diner serving great food for breakfast and lunch.
 

Coffee, Etc.

Coffee, Etc.
35692 Bridge Street, Springville, CA 93265
(559) 539-2930
Great coffee plus hand-carved deli sandwiches, baked goods, and more!

Above Springville on Hwy 190

Pierpoint Springs

Pierpoint Springs Resort/Post Office
801 Hwy 190, Camp Nelson, CA 93208
(559) 542-2423 or 542-2424
website: www.pierpointsprings.com
Motel, restaurant, bar, post office, market, gift shop, and special events.

Camp Nelson General Store
1720 Nelson Dr, Camp Nelson, CA 93208
(559) 542-3700
email: smgs@ocsnet.net
Groceries, gas, video rentals, bait, tackle, firewood.

Nelson’s Place
1700 Nelson Dr, Camp Nelson, CA 93208
(559) 542-8686
Restaurant & bar.

Cedar Slope Inn/Wellsville Saloon
1258 Hwy 190, Camp Nelson, CA
(559) 542-2319
e-mail: cedarslopeinn@grid.net
Food & cocktails.

Ponderosa Lodge
56692 Aspen Dr, Ponderosa, CA
(559) 542-2579
Motel, bar, restaurant, gift shop, gas, propane, x-country ski rentals.

In California Hot Springs

CA Hot Springs Resort

California Hot Springs Resort
42177 Hot Springs Dr
PO Box 146, California Hot Springs, CA 93207
(661) 548-6582
website: www.cahotsprings.com
Heated pool and spa
RV park, tent camping, groceries, deli, ice cream, pay phone

Seven Oaks Market
44029 Pine Flat Dr, California Hot Springs, CA 93207
(661) 548-6257
Supplies, pay phone available.

Mama Marcina's Restaurant
40896 Hot Springs Rd, California Hot Springs, CA 93207
(661) 548-6262
Dining, refreshments, pay phone available

Rabbit Foot Trail Inn & Saloon
43942 Pine Flat Dr, California Hot Springs, CA 93207
(661) 548-6813
Dining, refreshments

Ranger Stations

Springville Ranger Station

The Springville Ranger Station is about 3 miles west of downtown Springville. The address is 32588 Hwy 190. They are open M-F, 8:00 am-4:30 pm and provide wilderness and campfire permits, maps and books for sale, and general visitor information. Phone # (559) 539-2607.

The Hot Springs Ranger Station is about 3 miles east of California Hot Springs Resort. The address is 43474 Parker Pass Drive. They aren't open very often but may be open on holiday Saturdays (Memorial Day, 4th of July, and Labor Day). Otherwise forest maps and information are available at the Hot Springs Resort.

Etc.

Springville Welcome Sign

Local News

Southern Sierra Messenger

Laundromat

Tule River Laundry
35576 Tule River Drive
Springville
(559) 539-2667
full and self-service laundry

Showers

Eagle’s Nest Resort
27798 Hwy 190
Porterville, CA 93257
(559) 784-3948
Camping, general store, hot showers!

Camp Nelson RV Park
Nelson Dr, Camp Nelson, CA 93208
(559) 781-1739 – office
(559) 542-0122 – weekends
33 full hookups. Full $25, electric/water $20
Tent sites $15, hot showers $5.

ATM Machine

There is a Bank of the Sierra ATM Machine next to the Springville Inn and across from Gifford's Market.

Public Transportation

Believe it or not, there is public transit in Springville! But it ain't much... It consists of a very limited bus service to get to and from Porterville. It's called Tulare County Area Transit. The route from Springville (Sequoia Dawn Senior Housing on Hwy 190) to Porterville (Save Mart Shopping Center on Olive Street) runs on Tuesdays and Thursdays
Leave Springville 8:50 a.m., arrive Porterville 9:15 a.m.
Leave Porterville 12:45 pm, arrive Springville 1:20 p.m.
Leave Springville 1:20 p.m., arrive Porterville 1:45 p.m.
Fee is $1.50 one way and there are possible bus connections to other nearby cities including Visalia which does have an airport.
Click here for more info!

Springville Apple Festival

Every October the Springville Apple Festival transforms this quiet town to an outdoor festival of food, crafts, and fun! This year's Apple Festival will be on October 15 & 16, 2011 . Click here for more info!

External Links

Springville Chamber of Commerce
Ponderosa, CA Website
Sequoia National Forest and Giant Sequoia National Monument
Tulare County Foothills Weather Forecast (gives temps for 1,000' which is the elevation of Springville)
Tulare County Mountains Weather Forecast (gives temps for 5,000 and 8,000 feet. CA Hot Springs is at about 4,000' so it's going to be a little warmer than those temps given for 5,000')