Caliente Springs Resort

What to expect

Caliente Springs Resort is a big, age-restricted RV park and tiny-home community on Dillon Road in Desert Hot Springs, roughly 20 minutes from Palm Springs. It is not a day spa. It is a place where people park an RV for a week, a month or the whole winter, and the hot mineral pools are one of the main reasons they come.

The resort sits on the same groundwater system that gives Desert Hot Springs its name. According to the resort, its own springs run at a steady 115 to 146°F46 to 63°C before the water is cooled for the pools. The mineral water feeds everything: a large swimming pool used for laps, water aerobics and pool volleyball, plus a cluster of smaller soaking spas. The hottest tub is held at about 104°F40°C. Visitors on RV review sites have described three to five spas at different temperatures. The resort itself does not publish a pool count.

The setting is flat open desert on the north side of the Coachella Valley, with the San Jacinto Mountains to the southwest and the Little San Bernardino Mountains behind. Expect strong sun, dry air and wide views rather than shade.

The community is large. RV directories list 679 sites. The resort also rents furnished getaway homes and sells park model homes, and it runs a busy calendar of social events, fitness classes and chapel services.

The pools and facilities

The official site lists these amenities:

• Hot mineral pools, spas and showers fed by the on-site springs
• A large clubhouse, game room and library
• Pickleball and tennis courts, plus bocce
• A 9-hole golf course and driving range (book tee times at the pro shop)
• A fitness room and fitness classes
• Dog parks
• Laundry facilities
• Wi-Fi

RV sites come with full hookups and concrete patio pads. The resort sorts them into three types. Elite sites are back-in sites with extras such as fencing, better landscaping, a seating area or a mountain view. Deluxe sites are closer to the clubhouse and pools. Standard sites are interior back-ins within walking distance of the clubhouse. Site numbers are not guaranteed, and the resort says an RV reservation can be moved if a park model home needs the space.

Prices and booking

• RV sites, nightly: $75 to $95, according to the resort’s posted rate chart, which shows the same range for April to December and January to March.
• Weekly and monthly: Separate rate charts are posted on the RV reservations page. Monthly stays have metered electricity. Stays of two months get 5% off, three months 10% off, and four months or more 15% off, but those discounts must be booked by phone. Full payment is due at check-in, and there are no refunds for leaving early.
• Rate changes: Rates reset on May 1 each year, and older seasonal rates do not carry over.
• Vacation rentals: Furnished homes can be rented for a few days or a full season through Sky Valley Resort Rentals, (760) 202-5425.
• Discovery Stay: People thinking of buying a home can stay three days and two nights in a furnished tiny home for $199 (conditions apply).
• Day use: No public day pass is listed on the resort’s website. Plan on using the pools as an overnight guest.

To book, use the “Book Online” link on the resort’s RV page or call (760) 202-5409 for site details and monthly bookings. The main line is (760) 329-8400. The address is 70200 Dillon Road, Desert Hot Springs, CA 92241.

Age rule: Caliente Springs is a 55-and-better resort. If anyone in your group is younger, ask the resort before booking, or look at Sky Valley Resort, its sister property about 5 miles away, which is open to all ages.

Getting there

Caliente Springs is on Dillon Road east of central Desert Hot Springs. From Interstate 10, head north into Desert Hot Springs on Palm Drive, then turn east on Dillon Road and follow it out of town to the resort entrance. Dillon Road is paved, and the resort is drive-up, so there is no walking beyond the distance from your site to the pool.

Palm Springs International Airport is the closest airport. Joshua Tree National Park’s entrance is about 48 miles away, according to visitor reports. A full-size supermarket is about 12 miles off, so stock up before you arrive if you plan a long stay.

When to go

The Coachella Valley has a winter season. From roughly November to April, days are mild and the hot pools feel right. That is also when snowbirds fill the resort, so January to March bookings go early.

Summer is very hot in Desert Hot Springs, with daytime temperatures often well above 100°F38°C. The resort offers its lowest out-of-season rates from April through December, and a soak after sunset is more comfortable than at midday.

Rules and etiquette

• Guests only. The pools are for registered guests and residents.
• Age limit. 55 and better.
• Swimsuits. This is a family-style community pool, not a clothing-optional spa.
• Quiet and courtesy. Many guests are long-stay residents. Treat the pools and common areas as shared living space.
• Pets. Pets are welcome with RV stays. Use the dog parks and pick up after your dog.

Where to stay nearby

The resort is its own lodging, with RV sites and rental homes. Elsewhere in Desert Hot Springs are a string of small spa motels and boutique hotels with mineral pools, many of which sell day passes. Sky Valley Resort, about 5 miles away, is the all-ages sister property. Palm Springs, about 20 minutes south, has the widest range of hotels and restaurants.

Safety notes

• Heat: Desert sun and 104°F40°C water together can overheat you quickly. Drink water, keep soaks short and avoid the hottest tubs in the middle of a summer day.
• Health: Long, hot soaks are hard on the body. If you have a heart condition, are pregnant or take medications that affect blood pressure, ask your doctor before using the hot tubs.
• Belongings: One past reviewer reported theft from campsites. Lock valuables in your rig.
• Slippery decks: Wet pool decks are slick, so wear sandals with grip.