{"id":243,"date":"2019-06-12T09:00:04","date_gmt":"2019-06-12T09:00:04","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/openfirecamping.com\/?p=243"},"modified":"2019-06-12T23:00:23","modified_gmt":"2019-06-13T06:00:23","slug":"mercey-hot-springs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/openfirecamping.com\/?p=243","title":{"rendered":"Mercey Hot Springs"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

“Experience tranquility” is the tag line on the Mercey Hot Springs website<\/a>, and they’re not joking. This place was really quiet, there were barely any visitors and it’s pretty much in the middle of nowhere.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It was awesome.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For a start, the site rules<\/a> are very strict on noise (no generators) and they don’t want you wasting electricity either, since the whole place is powered by off-grid solar. So that means no air conditioners as well. Oh, and no kids, no loud conversations after quiet hours and definitely no music. Alcohol is permitted, but don’t get loud and don’t take it to the spa. Smoking (either tobacco or marijuana) is prohibited unless you’re in your own RV, but definitely don’t be doing it outside.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That’s a lot of rules, but to be honest, they’re not that onerous. In fact, they just add to the overall vibe of the place, which is complete and total relaxation. Oh, and no incense sticks or didgeridoos either, but you might be able to get a yoga class in the morning if the instructor is around. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are only 10 spots for RV’s (mostly back-ins, with one pull through) so even at capacity, Mercey Hot Springs is just not going to get crowded. There are water hookups, but you’re strongly advised to bring your own drinking water since the available mineral water is salty and not good to drink. Electric hookups will cost you an extra $10 a night – and they still don’t want you to run your A\/C, even if you pay. We opted to pay the extra $10, only because our coffee maker doesn’t work on 12v. Sure, we could have made instant coffee on the stove but we’re spoiled and lazy and on vacation , so waking up to a mug of fresh Peet’s coffee on Sunday morning was easily worth the extra $10. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are also several small cabins<\/a> available if you don’t have an RV. They’re really just a 10′ x 10′ room with a queen bed inside, with the bathrooms being a short walk outside. One of the cabins has a small kitchen and there are also propane barbecues available, so you still have all of the amenities at hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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There are several hot springs each with personal adjustment for temperature, a pool, a private bath house, a sauna and a small gift shop. Everything except the pool and gift shop is open 24 hours, so if you want to lay in a mineral bath and gaze at the stars at two in the morning then you can totally do that. Just be quiet about it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We were told you could see the Milky Way at night, but to me there still seemed to be a little too much light pollution. I guess if you live in a city and don’t usually see the stars at night then the view would be amazing, but we already live a fairly dark, remote area so we weren’t immediately blown away by the night view.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That said, it was dark enough at night that the clothing optional hot tubs weren’t a public peep show and there was plenty of privacy and respect from the other bathers. Lying naked in your own personal hot mineral bath at midnight, gazing at the stars is extremely relaxing and I’d recommend everyone try it at least once.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The location is also home to numerous species of birds and other animals and we were awoken quite early on Sunday morning by a chorus of songbirds. Once we ventured outside, we found this owl perched in a tree about 10 feet above us, just watching as we drank coffee and puttered about. He hung around for over an hour before finally disappearing while we were taking one final dip in the pool before heading out ourselves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Fortunately, we were allowed to use our fire pit, but apparently it was the last weekend for open fires before burn restrictions were put in place. I completely understand the need for fire restrictions in California, but it did remind me to pack an alternative for dinner in case we ever camp somewhere that won’t allow the use of our fire pit!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We only stayed for one night, but we’ve already added Mercey Hot Springs to our mental list of quick getaways at short notice, and we’ll definitely be visiting again. The great thing about this place is that they are not busy at all during the summer since very few people want to spend the day sitting in a hot spring while the air temperature in Central California is well over 100 degrees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But if you’re looking for a quiet, relaxing, kid-free getaway, this is the place for you. And even if the mineral baths and sauna are too hot for summer, you could easily spend all day in the the pool.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

https:\/\/www.merceyhotsprings.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n