Famous Northern California health sanctuary and hot springs selling for $10 million
The owner of historic Wilbur Hot Springs said he has a $10 million deal pending with “a very likely buyer” that would keep the health sanctuary operating as it does today.
The 1,760-acre Wilbur Hot Springs property – which offers guests a hotel, cabin, lodge, curative waters, bathing facilities and change rooms – is in Williams, less than two hours northwest of Sacramento.
Richard Louis Miller said the sale would contractually allow him to stay on the property as caretaker and “continue to oversee the operations” of the business he started when he purchased the property 47 years ago.
The history of the natural medicinal hot springs goes back centuries. Today, the grounds feature a 1,560-acre private nature reserve. Accommodations include a total of 25 rooms and 16 full baths.
The health retreat brought in gross revenue of $2 million in 2017, according to the Wilbur Springs website. There is potential for other commercial income, too, “including geothermal and photovoltaic energy production and expansion of Wilbur’s existing brand of medicinal bath crystals, medicinal soaps, medicinal facial products, natural laxatives and more.”
Wilbur Hot Springs operates “off the grid” and is completely powered by photovoltaic energy, which allows for full internet services.
Established in 1865, Wilbur Hot Springs was a Native American healing and ceremonial ground for the Yocha Dehe tribe of the Wintun Nation. The healing qualities of its medicinal waters is renowned. Wellness seekers around the world come to the retreat – which Miller calls “a sanctuary for the self” – to slow down and get away from fast-paced life.
In addition to private individual stays, Wilbur Hot Springs holds yoga retreats, poet retreats, health seminars and more. There is opportunity for expansion into areas such as “glamping,” horseback riding and educational seminars.
According to Wilbur Hot Springs literature, Gen. John Bidwell, who later became a congressman, was searching for gold in 1863 when one of his men fell ill and was dying. Local Native Americans told him about the powerful waters. Bidwell brought the man to the hot springs and he was cured.
The potential buyer, Miller said, is a “group of scientists who started a Bay Area space science company.” He said the buyers have pledged to continue his legacy at the hot springs. Miller did not want to reveal the company’s name or the names of the scientists due to a non-disclosure agreement.
Miller was studying the ancient healing method of balneology – the therapeutic use of natural hot mineral waters – when he first came upon the hot springs. Wilbur, he said, had the most medicinal effect he had ever experienced.
“I hocked my life and bought it,” he said.
He reopened Wilbur Hot Springs in 1972 and revitalized the destination spot. In 2014, a fire ravaged the lodge but Miller quickly rebuilt.
During the 1980s, Miller helped detoxify over 1,500 individuals from their addictions at Wilbur Hot Springs. None of his patients were medicated or hospitalized during the residential treatment at Wilbur, and Miller credits “the therapeutic qualities of the mineral hot springs“ and the natural environment in helping the patients’ recovery.
Miller hosts the “Mind, Body, Health & Politics” radio program that airs on NPR affiliates.
Miller said he has received more than 200 inquiries from around the world, including several cash offers, on the property.
Editor’s note: The pending sale price of the Wilbur Hot Springs property was incorrect in a previous version of this story.
This story was originally published January 23, 2020 at 8:00 AM.
