Grover Hot Springs State Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Grover Hot Springs State Park |
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![]() Streambed and waterfall at Grover Hot Springs
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Location | Alpine County, California, USA |
Nearest city | Markleeville, California |
Area | 553 acres (224 ha) |
Established | 1959 |
Governing body | California Department of Parks and Recreation |
Grover Hot Springs State Park is a special state park in California, USA. It has amazing natural hot springs on the eastern side of the Sierra Nevada mountains.
At the park, you can swim in pools filled by the hot springs. There's also a place to camp, picnic areas, and fun trails for hiking. This park is about 553 acres big and was first opened in 1959.
What's in a Name?
The park is named after Alvin M. Grover. He was an early settler who owned the land where the hot springs are located. He also worked as the county assessor.
Where is Grover Hot Springs?
Grover Hot Springs State Park is high up in the northern Sierra Nevada mountains. It sits about 5,900 feet (1,800 meters) above sea level. The park is right on the edge of a large area called the Great Basin.
The plants you'll see there are mostly pine trees, sagebrush, and open grassy areas. The park is open all year long. This means visitors can see all kinds of weather. You might experience big snowstorms or warm, sunny days. It can also have clear nights or strong thunderstorms. Fast winds can blow through the park at any time of year, sometimes causing damage.
Hot Springs and Pools
The hot springs at Grover Hot Springs are very unique. The water in the pools has a distinct yellow-green color. This happens because of the minerals at the bottom of the pool. When light hits these minerals, some colors disappear, making the water look yellow-green. These minerals settle on the bottom when they react with the bromine used to keep the water clean.
The swimming pool complex is usually open every day of the year, except for Wednesdays. However, the pools close if there are thunderstorms nearby. This is for safety, to protect people from lightning strikes.