Exploring Nevada’s Natural Hot Springs: Where to Find Them

Top Nevada &  Arizona Hot Springs (Resort to Primitive)

Nevada boasts more natural hot springs than any other U.S. state, earning it the title of America’s hot-spring capital. From luxurious resort pools to completely wild and primitive soaks in the middle of nowhere, the Silver State has something for every type of hot-spring lover. Whether you’re chasing solitude, healing mineral waters, or just a unique adventure, these geothermal gems are worth the drive (often on dirt roads).

Always practice Leave No Trace, check water temperature before entering, pack plenty of water, respect private property or tribal land rules, and bring everything you’ll need—many of these spots have zero services.

Spencer Hot Springs (“Cowboy Tubs”)

Location: ~20 miles east of Austin, central Nevada
Type: Semi-developed primitive
Features: Hot water piped into old livestock tanks; multiple pools, very remote, often shared only with wild burros. The source is fenced off for safety. Great for stargazing and total solitude.

Additional info: Visitors typically find three to four soaking spots, including metal cattle troughs (cowboy tubs) and a natural mud-bottom pool, with temperatures adjusted by repositioning pipes to control hot-water inflow (typically 100-120°F in the tubs). The site remains free and open 24/7 on BLM land, offering stunning views of the surrounding desert valley and Toiyabe/Toquima ranges—wild burros frequently visit in the evenings for water and grass. Pack out all trash, as there are no facilities, and respect the remote, clothing-optional vibe for the best experience.

1862 Hot Springs Resort & Spa (David Walley’s)

Location: 2001 Foothill Rd, Genoa (halfway between Reno & Carson City)
Type: Full resort (membership required)
Features: Five outdoor mineral pools (98–101 °F), hotel, spa, restaurant. Historic site dating back to 1862.

Additional info: Now operated as Holiday Inn Club Vacations David Walley’s Resort, it combines rustic mountain lodge charm with modern amenities, including a heated swimming pool and access to the natural mineral hot springs. The on-site 1862 Restaurant & Saloon serves upscale Southwestern-inspired cuisine, craft cocktails, and prime rib with panoramic views of the Sierra Nevada. Day passes or memberships allow access to the historic soaking experience that has drawn visitors since the pioneer era, making it ideal for relaxation after nearby Lake Tahoe adventures.

Carson Hot Springs

Location: 1500 Old Hot Springs Rd, Carson City
Type: Commercial with indoor & outdoor options
Features: Large outdoor pool + hot tubs (96–103 °F), nine private indoor mini-spas. Family-friendly and affordable.

Additional info: Open daily from 8 AM to 9 PM year-round, the resort features multiple outdoor pools and tubs (heated to 93-100°F depending on season) plus private mini-spas that reach up to 104°F for a more intimate soak. Recent additions include new water features and pools since 2021, emphasizing mineral-rich hot springs water in a clean, low-key environment. Affordable rates (e.g., $15-17 per adult for 2-hour sessions) make it popular with families and locals seeking a relaxing, no-frills mineral bath experience. Website.

Steamboat Hot Springs

Location: 16010 S Virginia St, South Reno
Type: Historic healing center
Features: Private indoor soaking tubs + one outdoor tub, spa services, and massage. Water, famed for its therapeutic properties,
Novelist and travel writer Mark Twain was a regular.

Additional info: Mark Twain famously named the springs in 1863 after the rumbling, steamboat-like sounds of geothermal activity and the boiling-water eruptions, describing them vividly in his writings during his Nevada territorial days. The longest-standing therapeutic hot springs resort in the state focuses on healing, offering private tubs and professional spa treatments, including massages. Its volcanic origins and mineral-rich waters continue to attract those seeking relief from ailments, maintaining a historic yet serene atmosphere just south of Reno. Website.

Arizona Hot Springs (near Nevada Border)

Location: Lake Mead NRA, slot canyon near the Colorado River below the Hoover Dam
Type: Wild hike-to pools
Features: Series of cascading pools (hotter upstream, cooler downstream), 20-ft ladder to river, ~6-mile strenuous round-trip hike. Very popular—go early.

Additional info: This strenuous trail features a 750-foot elevation change, with steep scrambling and rocky ledges in a dramatic volcanic canyon. The natural hot springs flow gently toward the river, creating tiered pools ideal for soaking. Managed by the National Park Service, the route (including the ladder section) may close during extreme heat (e.g., if forecasted highs at the canyon bottom reach 92°F+) to prevent heat-related rescues—check current conditions. Combine it with nearby trails, such as White Rock Canyon, for a loop, but start early to avoid crowds and heat.

Rogers Warm Spring (near Nevada border)

Location: Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Northshore Rd
Type: Developed day-use warm spring
Features: Shallow 80°F pool with a small waterfall, picnic tables, and restrooms. Bathing suits required (NPS site)—short paved trail to a deeper soaking pool.

Additional info: Part of the North Shore Complex, fed by a regional aquifer, the spring maintains a consistent, soothing ~80°F temperature year-round, with clear water and a small waterfall, creating a relaxing oasis in the desert. The short, easy paved access trail (about 0.2 miles) leads to picnic areas and facilities, making it family-friendly and suitable for a quick stop along Lake Mead’s Northshore Road. Bathing suits are mandatory at an NPS-managed site, and the site offers a peaceful contrast to nearby hotter geothermal areas.

Fish Lake Valley Hot Well

Location: Dyer, Esmeralda County (~60 miles from Tonopah)
Type: Maintained primitive
Features: Concrete/cinder block tub for ~6 people, ~100°F, toilet, BBQs, parking. Popular with birds, but unfortunately, it also sees litter and vandalism.

Additional info: Managed by Esmeralda County, the large below-ground concrete tub flows steadily from a nearby source (around 105°F, depending on season), with the outflow creating marshy ponds that attract abundant wildlife, including birds and fish—though fishing is restricted to protect endangered species such as the Fish Lake Valley tui chub. Accessible via a maintained dirt road about 20 minutes from Dyer, it includes basic amenities like a toilet and BBQs, but visitors must pack out trash due to ongoing litter issues. The site remains popular for its remote, natural setting amid open valley views.

Ruby Valley Hot Springs (Smith Ranch Hot Springs)

Location: Remote eastern Nevada, nearest town: Elko
Type: Primitive, clothing-optional
Features: Large 95°F main pool plus several smaller pools (some too hot). No services, very secluded.

Additional info: Also known as Smith Ranch Hot Springs, the site features a striking aquamarine main pool about 30 feet in diameter (around 95-100°F) surrounded by smaller pools and runoffs in a marshy area near Ruby Lake National Wildlife Refuge. Located on state land about an hour south of Elko via dirt roads (including Harrison Pass), it offers expansive views of the Ruby Mountains and frequent birdwatching opportunities. Winter access can be challenging due to road conditions, and the site’s primitive, clothing-optional nature ensures a peaceful, off-the-grid soak.

Big Warm Spring (Duckwater Shoshone Reservation)

Location: Duckwater Shoshone Reservation, northeastern Nevada (nearest town Ely)
Type: Large natural warm pool
Features: Crystal-clear 91–93 °F water, ~30 ft wide and up to 10 ft deep. Excellent for swimming; extremely remote.

Additional info: As Nevada’s largest geothermal spring, Big Warm Spring sits on tribal land in the remote Railroad Valley, home to the threatened Railroad Valley Springfish, with tribal efforts to protect its critical habitat. The crystal-clear water (91-93°F, warmer than a pool but cooler than a hot tub) makes it ideal for swimming and relaxation. Access is via a staircase with a handrail, and it’s restricted to tribal members and permitted visitors. Its remote location (about 1-1.5 hours from Ely) offers a serene, untouched experience in a high-desert setting.

Kyle Hot Springs

Location: Buena Vista Valley, ~24 miles south of I-80 on SR-400, then 13.5 miles on Kyle Hot Springs Rd (private property—be respectful)
Type: Very primitive
Features: One concrete pool + plastic stock tanks, ~100 °F. Near the ghost town of Unionville.

Additional info: This rustic, abandoned historic resort site in the isolated Buena Vista Valley features a round concrete pool and scattered stock tanks fed by geothermal water (ranging from 85-150°F, depending on flow and setup). On private property (contact the landowner via available channels for access if needed), it remains undeveloped, with no facilities, requiring full self-sufficiency and respect for the land amid desert solitude. Proximity to the ghost town of Unionville adds historical intrigue, with dirt road access that can be rough in wet conditions—ideal for those seeking a true off-grid Nevada soak.

Trego Hot Springs: Black Rock Desert

Location: Black Rock Desert
Type: Primitive mud-bottom
Features: Large natural pool; caution advised due to occasional reports of harmful bacteria.

Additional info: This roadside trench-like pool (formed from an old railroad ditch) offers variable temperatures from around 90–105°F, with the hottest water near the inflow and cooler downstream—perfect for a quick, clothing-optional soak amid vast playa views and solitude. Despite its popularity (especially post-Burning Man season), a longstanding BLM advisory from 2020 warns of contamination risks, including E. coli and Vibrio cholerae from wildlife/livestock exposure; many visitors still soak but test water, limit immersion, and shower afterward—check current BLM/Friends of Black Rock-High Rock updates before visiting.

Access is straightforward off Jungo Road (north side when heading east) or across the playa when dry, but avoid during wet conditions or extreme heat.

Soldier Meadows Hot Springs

Location: Black Rock–High Rock country, northern Nevada
Type: Primitive with trails
Features: Natural pools near creeks, a submerged barrel option, and a guest ranch nearby.

Additional info: The site features a series of terraced, rock-dammed pools along a warm creek (typically 90–106°F), fed by multiple geothermal sources like Soldier Meadows Hot Creek and Bathtub Spring, creating cascading soaks with mountain backdrops and wildlife sightings in one of Nevada’s most remote corners.

Free dispersed BLM camping is available nearby, with vault toilets and fire pits, but access it via ~60 miles of rough dirt road (high-clearance 4WD recommended), north of Gerlach—plan for no cell service, pack essentials, and follow Leave No Trace principles. Year-round access draws soakers seeking privacy and history (near old emigrant trails), with the nearby Soldier Meadows Guest Ranch offering meals/accommodations for a more supported visit.

Dyke Hot Springs

Location: Northern Nevada high desert
Type: Primitive piped pools
Features: Secluded, great views, very private.

Additional info: Tucked at the northeastern edge of the Black Rock Desert near the Pine Forest Range (about 32 miles south of Denio on the Oregon-Nevada border), this ultra-remote spot features two small bathtubs (single or cozy two-person) filled via pipes from a 150°F source pond uphill—adjust flow for ideal temps around 100–110°F.

Solitude is virtually guaranteed due to the long, rugged dirt road access (high-clearance vehicle advised), with frog ponds nearby and expansive desert/mountain vistas making it ideal for stargazing or quiet reflection. Drain tubs after use to prevent algae buildup, pack out all trash, and embrace the clothing-optional norm in this pristine, undeveloped BLM-managed area.

Double Hot Springs

Location: Black Rock Desert
Type: Extremely hot source (>185 °F)
Features: Use the cooler runoff trough for soaking; do not use it for the main pools.

Additional info: Fenced for safety, the main crystal-clear pools and streams reach scalding 180–185°F (with steep, slippery banks that have caused fatal accidents in the past), so stick strictly to the outflow trough or runoff channels for safer (though still hot) soaking—never test temperature by dipping in directly.

This stunning but dangerous geothermal feature in the Black Rock–High Rock Emigrant Trails National Conservation Area showcases mineral deposits and clear waters, but extreme caution is essential around the site to avoid slips or burns—pets and children require close supervision. The views are breathtaking in the remote desert setting, but it’s best visited with awareness of BLM warnings and only if you’re prepared for hot spring hazards.

Alkali Hot Springs

Location: Near Goldfield
Type: Primitive concrete tubs
Features: 100–108 °F, remote and peaceful.

Additional info: These rustic, rock-walled primitive tubs (fed by geothermal seeps, with remnants of an old resort pool nearby) sit on private property just off Silver Peak Road (~7 miles from US-95 north of Goldfield), offering peaceful soaks in a high-desert valley often visited by wild horses and pronghorn. Recent reports indicate the site is now closed to the public under new ownership (as of late 2025/early 2026).

Some adjacent land is used for utility projects, so access may be restricted or discouraged; verify current status via local sources or avoid trespassing. Historically a stop for freighters and a short-lived resort, it remains a quiet, mineral-rich spot when open, but pack out trash and respect any signage for the best experience.

Not for Soaking, But Worth Seeing

Diana’s Punch Bowl – Monitor Valley, Nye County
A stunning travertine crater with scalding 140–180°F turquoise water 30 ft below the rim. Amazing to view, impossible to soak.

Final Tips for Nevada Hot Springs Adventures

• Many primitive springs are clothing-optional; resorts and NPS sites require suits.
• Cell service is nonexistent at most locations—download offline maps.
• Temperatures fluctuate; always test with your hand or foot first.
• Pack in/pack out everything, including human waste, if no facilities are available.
• Flash floods, risks of amoebic meningitis (rare), and scalding water are real—do your research and stay safe.
• Some Nevada hot springs lack modern amenities, so visitors should be prepared for a more rustic, natural experience. Always check the water temperatures and local conditions before soaking, as they can vary or become unsafe due to natural geothermal activity or environmental factors.

Nevada’s hot springs are some of the wildest and most diverse on the planet. Respect them, protect them, and they’ll keep delivering healing, starry-night soaks for generations to come. Happy soaking!

Love Nevada’s hidden gems? Don’t stop at the hot springs!
Nevada is packed with ghost towns, surreal desert landscapes, quirky roadside attractions, and epic day-trip adventures most tourists never see. After you’ve soaked under the stars, keep exploring with our companion guides:

California hot springs: where to find them.

Nevada and Arizona’s Most Fascinating Ghost Towns & Living Relics