When you think of Nevada, you think of Las Vegas – party capital of the world; a twinkling metropolis of casinos, exoticism and fun. Beyond that, you might think of desert. What few think of or know is that Nevada boasts some 300 mineral springs, formed due to the famed volcanic activity in the area. We’ve picked out the best of those closest to Las Vegas, giving you the option to soak your muscles and rest your mind after a hard night’s playing and winning. Go relax and detox in a Las Vegas hot spring pool! Read on…
1. Gold Strike Hot Springs – 36 Minutes From Las Vegas
This hot spring is one of our favorites, and it is definitely for those who like a bit of adventure and a workout before their soak. Don’t miss this extraordinary six-mile round-trip hike on the Goldstrike Canyon Trail, scrambling over and around glowing golden boulders, through sandy red canyons, and along algae-strewn creeks to the gem at the end – your hot mineral soak!
What To Expect
At several points along the trail, starting at the 35-minute mark, you’ll have to scale down the rock face, but it’s not a long drop, nor is it anything scary, and strong ropes have been installed for you to hold onto. Our advice is to wear good shoes that support your ankles, and bring plenty of water to drink. See this video so you know exactly what you’ll be getting yourself into – and the reward at the end!
There are a number of stunning shallow pools on your way to the end of the trail, among them the “Cave of Wonders,” a 3-person clearwater pebble-bottomed pool whose warm bath-like waters bubble up from deep within the earth.
After 5 “rock-scales” along the trail, you’ll get to the “Ball” – a giant rock within a cave, behind which water trickles out. After this, you’ll be following the stream of water down more rocks into a little oasis of algae and fern-covered rocks, the green a beautifully vibrant contrast to the gold of the stone.
Keep following the creek until you get to the refreshingly turquoise icy cold water of the Colorado River and your final destination: Gold Strike Hot Springs, fed by a waterfall, with a hotter 5-person pool within the larger main pool, held back by a dam of sandbags, and a third 2-person pool at the base of the hot springs waterfall.
If you’re brave enough, get into the waist-deep river and walk upstream to explore a little-visited cave with its own hot mineral water flowing out of the cliff face.
If none of that flexibility-demanding rock-climbing appeals, or you are there May-September when the trail is closed due to the heat, there is always the option of kayaking through Black Canyon from Hoover Dam, along the Colorado River.
Don’t Miss…
Good To Know
Hot springs water temperature average 109°F.
Take around 3 liters of water per person. There is a long and sad list of fatalities due to heat-stroke on this trail.
The trail is closed May-September when Nevada temperatures are at their peak.
Watch out for algae on the wet rocks, which can make it slippery. Take along some water sandals.
A great adventure for families, but small children and pets may struggle with the rock-scaling.
In summer, watch out for rattlesnakes.
Before, during, or after rainy weather, watch out for flash-floods.
These pools are known to contain amoeba which can cause meningitis. Keep your soak “shin to chin” and do not put your head into the water. See more about the risks in this informative article.
No cell-phone service.
No camping allowed.
No day-use permits required.
Clothing optional.
Where: 601 Great Basin Highway, Boulder City
2. Arizona (Ringbolt) Hot Springs – 37 Minutes From Las Vegas
Arizona Hot Springs (also called Ringbolt) is one of the busiest pools in Las Vegas, and it shares some similarities with the Gold Strike Hot Springs (scroll up) in that the trail is closed May-September because of the heat, and the trail involves some climbing and scrambling if you really want that soak!
What To Expect
There are two hiking options to get to the hot springs- the 5.9-mile White Rock Canyon Trail (click here for a video on that) with a 1600-foot elevation change and a chance to explore the Liberty Bell Arch Trail (adding some 4 miles onto your hike), or the shorter and slightly easier 3-mile Arizona Hot Springs Trail – or you can hike in one way and hike out the other! Whichever you choose, you will need shoes with traction to navigate the sandy-gravelly but beautifully colored washes, rock formations and narrow gorges.
Sandbags separate the murky, turquoise three-tier pool and, nestled between 100-foot-high canyon walls, the water is shaded yet stands at around 111-120°F (hotter the closer you get to the source).
The NPS says:
“This heated groundwater moves to the surface through faults and fractures in the rock and discharges at an estimated rate of about 30 to 50 gallons per minute.”
Don’t Miss
- Taking photos at the many viewpoints on the trail.
Good To Know
Warning! If you take the White Rock Canyon Trail there is a 20 foot ladder you need to climb to get into the springs.
This pool is known to contain amoeba which can cause meningitis. Keep your soak “shin to chin” and do not put your head into the water. See more about the risks in this informative article.
Take around 3 liters of water per person. There is a long and sad list of fatalities due to heat-stroke on this trail.
The trail is closed May-September when Nevada temperatures are at their peak.
Watch out for algae on the wet rocks, which can make it slippery. Take along some water sandals.
A great adventure for families but small children and pets may struggle with the rock-scaling and White Rock Canyon Trail ladder.
In summer, watch out for rattlesnakes.
Before, in or after rainy weather, watch out for flash-floods.
No cell-phone service.
No camping allowed.
No day-use permits required.
Clothing optional.
Where: Arizona state highway 93 (3.5 miles south of the Pat Tillman Bridge)
3. Alkali Hot Springs – 3 Hours From Las Vegas
Alkali is a great hot springs to head to for some isolated, open-air desert soaking close to Las Vegas, and you can pretty much drive right up to them!
What To Expect
The remains of a 1930s spa, Alkali Hot Springs offers two, rustic, block-walled mineral-stained, 4-person tubs in the open, colorful desert on private but free-to-access property.
The primitive 3-feet deep tubs are surrounded by a concrete deck, desert grass, and have 100 – 109°F slightly murky, lithium-rich (what we at Traxplorio call “happy minerals”) hot water piped in, which keeps the water circulating well and the pools reasonably algae free. As a bonus, the water runs off into a large rectangular concrete pool which someone thought to put koi in, for that extra-relaxing experience – please don’t soak in this pool!
Don’t Miss…
- The chance to spot wild mules and horses while you soak.
Good To Know
No camping onsite, but there is plenty of BLM land nearby.
To protect local wildlife, dogs are not allowed in the area.
Clothing optional.
Where: Powerline Rd, Tonopah, Nevada (4 miles north of Goldfield)
4. Fish Lake Valley Hot Springs – 4 Hours From Las Vegas
Stunning views over the desert and mountains, clear stargazing at night – with plenty of primitive camping available nearby, this is the perfect place to head to for a hot mineral soak and quality time spent with friends and family in the lap of nature.
What To Expect
The very popular Fish Lake Valley Hot Springs (also known as the Hot Well) offers a 4×6-foot, 4-feet deep, gravel-bottomed concrete soak tub and a large natural hot water lake surrounded by open grassland and boasting stunning views of the rugged White Mountains.
The 105°F water circulates fast, ensuring top mineral content, and flows out into a large natural pond which serves as a watering hole for local wildlife and is home to an abundance of fish.
It can only be accessed via dirt and gravel roads, so a high clearance vehicle is recommended for this adventure.
Don’t Miss…
- Exploring Boundary Peak Wilderness – Inyo National Forest
- Stargazing around the time of the new moon.
- Bird- and wildlife-watching.
Good To Know
The water runs off into natural ponds which are home to a variety of fish (goldfish among them), and which attract other wildlife. Please be careful and considerate when soaking in these natural pools- avoid splashing!
Do not fish in the area. The pools are home to the critically endangered Fish Lake Valley tui chub.
Primitive campsites and a vault toilet are nearby, do not camp within 100 feet of the hot spring.
There have been complaints of noise and trash – if you go, keep the volume low out of respect for the wildlife and other soakers, and always pack out what you pack in!
Clothing optional.
Where: East of Dyer, about an hour west of Tonopah off the NV-266 W.
5. Spencer Hot Springs – 5 Hours From Las Vegas
Nestled in Big Smoky Valley and promising spectacular views of the Toiyabe National Forest, Spencer Hot Springs offers the perfect hot springs escape from the hustle and bustle of the city.
What To Expect
Accessed via a 10-mile dirt road, with an incredible view of the Toiyabe Range, Spencer Hot Springs offers three different hot springs sources. The 5-person, metal hot tub water flows at up to 120°F, and sometimes over that, so check with your elbow before stepping in (and feel free to push the inflow pipe to the side to stop the flow and let the pool cool a little). The larger mud-bottomed pool, which takes the run off from the metal tub, boasts mineral water at around 106°F.
There is another, cooler-water metal tub, and at night, the local wild mules come and drink from it.
Don’t Miss…
- The chance to spot the wild mules of the Hickison Burro Herd.
- The sacred American Indian Toquima Cave.
- Goldfield Ghost Town.
Good To Know
There is no shade, so the best times to visit are early morning or in the evening for a sunset soak.
This is BLM land, so you can camp, but not within 100 feet of the hot springs.
Clothing optional.
Where: 19 miles from Austin on the US 50 E.
Disclaimer
While we at Traxplorio do our very best to give you the latest information about these hot springs sites, life happens, weather happens, and property owners happen. We always recommend you go to the official hot springs’ web page and/or the relevant state authority page to check conditions, times, and prices (where relevant) before you head out. Thanks for understanding, and enjoy your soak!
