Visiting Nevada’s Hot Springs
Relax and rejuvenate with a natural mineral bath at one of these Nevada hot springs sites.
Las Vegas and Vicinity
Arizona Hot Springs: Part of Lake Mead National Conservation Area, this series of three graduated pools are about 0.5 mile west of the Colorado River and four miles below Hoover Dam on US 93 east. Exit at the sign, park, and walk down the wash to the river and 0.5 mile downstream. The springs lie midway through a six-mile loop that’s perfect for a day hike or weekend camping getaway. Despite requiring a bit of scrambling and a 20-foot ladder climb to enter the pools, the springs are quite accessible; expect company if you go. The mineral-rich water cools as it cascades out of the top pool into lower holes.
Gold Strike Hot Springs: Like its sister springs across the river, Gold Strike Hot Springs demands some bouldering and scrambling to reach its soothing waters. Pick up the trailhead just off US 93, about a mile east of Hoover Dam Lodge. The trail to the springs is about four miles. Previous soakers have installed ropes to ease the descent into the river valley. The area around the springs is ripe for cliff-launched cannonballs into the Colorado. Look for the natural slide for a thrilling plunge. Intense summer heat in these parts can be deadly. As such, the springs and trail are closed May through October.
The Loneliest Road
Carson Hot Springs: “Gentleman Jim” Corbett trained at Shaw’s Warm Springs, predecessor to Carson Hot Springs (1500 Old Hot Springs Rd., 775/885-8844 or 888/917-3711, 7am-10pm daily, $10-15), while preparing for his prize fight with Robert Fitzsimmons in 1897. Abe Curry built his Warm Springs Hotel next to these waters and ferried the territorial legislators out here when they met at the hotel in the town’s early days.
Today, there’s a pool ($12, seniors and children $10) with 96-98°F soft spring water containing no sulfur odor or chlorine; no city water is added, only the geothermically heated water from far belowground. The water emerges at about 127°F but is cooled by the air before guests take the plunge. Let The Hammer, a pounding waterfall, drive the aches and pains away. Sodium-rich waters increase buoyancy, while silica, potassium, and sulfates lend luster to nails, hair, and skin. The resort drains the pool every night and fills it up again every morning. Private in-room 95-110°F pools ($20 for two hours, seniors $15) are also available (bathing suits are optional in private rooms).
Spencer Hot Springs: Eleven miles east of Austin, turn right onto NV 376; a dirt road (National Forest 001) immediately heads off east (left) toward the Toquimas. Follow it to where a left turn (unmarked, but easily recognizable) leads up to Spencer Hot Springs.
Far from a resort spa, the springs nevertheless combine fine views—the Toiyabes stretch into the background, and the Monitors reach out in front—with a soothing hot soak. But while the setting is desolate, the springs are likely to be well-trafficked. It seems locals, visitors, and nature-lovers of all stripes know about the twin cowboy tubs situated along this lonely dirt road.
These springs are surprisingly quite civilized, expertly “developed” by helpful previous visitors. The big main pool at the top ledge is sandbagged, tastefully tiled with slate, and offset by a little wooden deck. Toward the road a bit is a big galvanized tub. The metal cattle troughs collect very hot water directly from the source, via a moveable pipe. Push the pipe out of the trough to let the water cool, pull it back in when you’re ready to steep. Lie back, breathe deeply, and offer up a prayer of thanks from your frayed nerve endings.
Other pools along the stretch are ringed with stone and are cooler than the first 105-degree metal troughs. The resident herd of burros may come take a peek while you’re bathing. Dry camping is allowed around the springs; please camp well away from the water so others may enjoy the spa treatments.
Northern Nevada
Trego Hot Springs: One of the best and most accessible springs is Trego Hot Springs, due east across the playa from the main turn into Black Rock Desert off Country Road 34 from Gerlach. Most years, you can simply follow other vehicles’ tire tracks, taking care when crossing two sets of railroad tracks. Or you can pick up Old Highway 49 between Empire and Gerlach. The Y-shaped spring is large enough for swimming and group outings.
Because the hot water from the source mixes with cooler water farther away, you can easily find the section where you feel most comfortable. Much of the bottom is covered with fine silt, ideal for a mud bath. While the water is too tepid in most places to sooth away the aches, the fine, sulfuric silt on the bottom is nature’s facial mask and exfoliant. Lesser-known Frog Springs is four miles to the west, near a stand of large trees.
Soldier Meadows Hot Springs: Over the years, this life-giving water has been a destination drawing in Native Americans, Oregon- and California-bound immigrants, cavalry soldiers, and prospectors. Though a few of the pools are on private property, Soldier Meadows Hot Springs itself and dozens of small warm, hot, and cold springs dot the troughs between rolling hills on public land. Test the water in the pools before wading in; some are hot enough to cook beans in a can, so they also can scald unwary bathers.
12-Mile Hot Springs: Also known as Bishop Creek Hot Springs, 12-Mile not easy to find, but that’s the beauty of it. Once you arrive, you can count on peace and solitude. From Wells, take Metropolis Road northbound eight miles through fragrant farm country. Turn left at the not-so-helpfully named County Road for a bumpy six miles to the parking area. Don’t risk tire or suspension damage; if the going gets rough, pull off the road, park, and hoof it to the parking lot. From there, it’s less than a half mile to the springs. The trail passes through narrow canyons and past an old iron bridge, making for an interesting hike, especially in the snow. Your destination is a 40-foot concrete pool, which collects water oozing from the canyon wall. Temperatures in the three-foot-deep, gravel-bottomed pool range from a tepid 99° F opposite the source to a barely bearable 105° F.
Hot Springs Etiquette
Relaxing in a hot spring has a way of mellowing a person’s outlook, but bathers still get a bit piqued when newbies fail to follow the proper etiquette. Safety and courtesy are the watchwords. Keep the following tips in mind and you won’t find yourself in, ahem, hot water.
- No glass near the springs.
- Clean up after yourself (and pick up a few things less conscientious visitors have left).
- Take turns.
- Don’t be a prude. Nude soaking is common, so don’t be surprised if you happen upon a pool of people in the altogether.
- Don’t be an exhibitionist. On the other hand, if a family or church group has arrived at the spring before you, don’t assume they will be okay with you stripping down. Bring a suit, just in case.
- Camp at least 500 feet away. Camping next to a spring gives the impression you’re laying claim to it.
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