Nevada, a land of scorching deserts, towering mountains, and dazzling lights, harbors a secret beneath its rugged surface – a network of natural hot springs, each a bubbling oasis promising warmth, rejuvenation, and a glimpse into the state's geological wonders.

From secluded pools nestled amidst ancient canyons to rustic resorts echoing with laughter, these geothermal havens whisper tales of time and beckon with the promise of relaxation, adventure, and a unique Nevada experience.

The story of Nevada's hot springs is as rich as the minerals that infuse their waters. Native American tribes like the Paiute and Shoshone used the springs for healing rituals and spiritual ceremonies. European settlers, drawn by their therapeutic properties, established resorts and spas in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Today, these historical remnants like David Walley's Hot Springs Resort and Carson Hot Springs offer a glimpse into the golden age of Nevada spa culture.

Secret Tips for Savvy Soakers:

Escape the crowds: Venture beyond popular spots like Spencer Hot Springs and explore hidden gems like Black Rock Hot Springs or Alkali Flat Hot Springs.
For the Adventurous: Hike through the Black Rock Desert to reach Black Rock Hot Springs or explore the otherworldly landscape surrounding Fly Geyser.
For the History Buff: Immerse yourself in the rich history of Carson Hot Springs, a luxurious resort established in the early 1900s, or visit David Walley's Hot Springs Resort, frequented by celebrities in the Roaring Twenties.
Embrace the rustic charm: Many springs are tucked away in remote locations. Be prepared for unpaved roads, minimal amenities, and a chance encounter with desert wildlife like bighorn sheep or wild horses.
Pack for adventure: Bring sturdy shoes for hikes, a swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, and plenty of water. Some springs require specific attire like wool blankets for communal soaking.
Respect the locals and wildlife: Be mindful of noise levels and avoid disturbing the natural environment. Leave no trace and pack out all trash.
Be aware of regulations: Check local regulations and follow signage. Some springs have limitations on group size, alcohol consumption, and clothing.

The Best Time for a Geothermal Getaway:

Each season offers its own unique charm at Nevada's hot springs:

Spring and fall: Enjoy mild temperatures and vibrant landscapes with fewer crowds.
Summer: Escape the desert heat and enjoy the vibrant atmosphere of popular resorts. Be prepared for larger crowds, especially on weekends.
Winter: Experience the magic of soaking in steaming pools amidst snow-covered mountains at higher-altitude springs like Fly Geyser.

Mineral Matters: A Dip into the Science:

Nevada's hot springs are as diverse in their mineral content as they are in their settings. Here's a glimpse into the magic of their waters:

Sulfur: Known for its anti-inflammatory properties, sulfur-rich springs like Gold Strike Hot Springs and Baker Hot Springs can be beneficial for joint pain and skin conditions.
Magnesium: This "relaxation mineral" found in springs like Spencer Hot Springs and David Walley's Hot Springs Resort can ease muscle tension and promote stress relief.
Silica: The smooth, silky feeling of some springs like Fly Geyser comes from silica, which is beneficial for skin health and hair growth.
Lithium: Trace amounts of lithium in springs like Crystal Hot Springs can have mood-boosting and stress-reducing effects.

Beyond these main minerals, many springs contain trace amounts of calcium, iron, manganese, and other elements, each contributing to the unique properties and potential benefits of the water.

Fly Geyser

Water Quality (3/5): The water is clear, but constant geyser activity can stir up sediment, creating a milky appearance. A slight sulfur smell is present.
Ease of Access (4/5): Paved road leads to a short, well-maintained boardwalk.
Ability to Be Alone (2/5): This popular attraction draws large crowds, offering little solitude.
Water Temperature (4/5): Consists of multiple pools with varying temperatures, allowing for customization.
Health Benefits (3/5): Water contains sulfur and silica, potentially beneficial for skin and joint health.
Nearby Amenities (5/5): Visitor center with restrooms, picnic area, and gift shop.
Overall Score: 3.17

Black Rock Hot Springs

Black Rock Desert hot springs is north of Gerlach, Nevada. This area is the same Black Rock made famous by Burning Man. Accessing the pool is no easy feat, however, and requires the skills of an experienced offroad driver.

The Black Rock Desert’s vast landscape is managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and comprises 1.2 million acres of national conservation and wilderness area.

A stunning 752,000 acres of the Black Rock – High Rock Emigrant Trails National Conservation Area is comprised of 10 wilderness areas, each brimming with enough only-in-Nevada characteristics to speak to the adventurer in all of us. Black Rock BLM wilderness areas include the Black Rock Desert, Calico Mountains, East Fork High Rock Canyon, High Rock Canyon, High Rock Lake, Little High Rock Canyon, North Black Rock Range, North Jackson Range, Pahute Peak, and South Jackson Mountains.

You will need to travel across an old, cracked lakebed in the Black Rock Desert–High Rock Canyon Emigrant Trails National Conservation Area. But if you can make it you will find an isolated, beautiful blue pool to relax in.

Do not attempt to travel in this area unless you’ve come equipped with a high clearance, 4-wheel drive vehicle. Do not drive on the playa unless its bone dry.

To plan ahead, call the Friends of Black Rock directly at (775) 557-2900.

When exploring Nevada’s beautiful backcountry, always remember to live by the Dirt Road Code and travel prepared to survive.

Water Quality (3/5): Water is generally clear, but sediment can be present, and a faint sulfur odor is noticeable.
Ease of Access (2/5): Requires a long, bumpy drive on unpaved roads and a moderate hike through the Black Rock Desert.
Ability to Be Alone (4/5): Secluded location and limited parking offer a high chance of solitude.
Water Temperature (4/5): Multiple pools with varying temperatures, ranging from comfortably warm to pleasantly hot.
Health Benefits (4/5): Rich in sulfur and silica, potentially beneficial for skin and joint issues.
Nearby Amenities (1/5): No amenities, complete wilderness setting.

David Walley's Hot Springs Resort

David Walley’s Resort is on the western side of Carson Valley and minutes from Genoa.Located at the base of the Sierra Nevada, you’ll be just 16 miles from South Lake Tahoe.

Kick back in one of the five on-site hot spring mineral pools that hot water enthusiasts have been enjoying for longer than Nevada has been a state. Afterward, grab a bite in the on-site, rustic-yet-elegant 1862 Restaurant & Saloon, offering creative upscale dining, an extensive wine/beer/cocktail menu, and the ambiance of a mountain lodge.

By 1862, the opulent resort was built, offering up a 40-room hotel with 11 bathrooms, a grand ballroom, a large stable, a swimming pool, and several bathhouses with a resident physician and masseur. From that point on, David Walley’s Hot Springs Resort was well known for its famed baths and became a regular for passengers along stagecoach routes along the Pony Express trail, and has included movie stars like Clark Gable and Carole Lombard, and a handful of United States presidents.

“It is with greatest pleasure that I contribute an article in your valuable paper in regard to Walley’s Hot Springs…these springs, without a doubt, have no equal on this coast for the cure of rheumatism and all afflictions that necessitate me visiting them. I now leave without crutch or cane, entirely well, not only relieved from pain but gained in spirit.”
Mark Twain, 1887

Enjoy spacious condo-style lodging, including studios, one- & two-bedroom villas, and two- & three-bedroom cottages.

Water Quality (4/5): Clean water with minimal sediment or odor.
Ease of Access (5/5): Easily accessible paved road leads to ample parking and a short walk to the pools.
Ability to Be Alone (3/5): Moderate crowds, with both communal and private soaking options available.
Water Temperature (4/5): Multiple pools with varying temperatures, catering to different preferences.
Health Benefits (3/5): Balanced mineral composition offering general relaxation and rejuvenation.
Nearby Amenities (5/5): Luxurious accommodations, spa treatments, restaurants, and recreational activities.

Spencer Hot Springs

Spencer hot springs is in the BLM wilderness giving you access to beautiful views and sunsets from the cattle troughs and natural springs.

From Austin drive east over the Toiyabe summit to Nevada Route 376, turn south about a quarter mile and then turn east on the road to Toquima Cave. About 6 miles along you’ll see the steam wafting up out of the sagebrush — on a cold day.

You’ll have three (sometimes four) bathing spots available to you at Spencer Hot Springs, brimming with natural spring-fed hot water piped right into the tubs.

Two of the spots are man-made pools constructed from metal cattle troughs—AKA cowboy tubs—while the other has a natural soft bottom. A fourth cowboy tub can oftentimes be accessed, but is significantly cooler than the others. At the source, water temperatures consistently sit around 130 degrees Fahrenheit, and right around the low hundreds in the runoff soaking tubs.

Primitive camping around Spencer Hot Springs is first-come, first-served. Before you stake your spot, be sure to brush up on current fire restrictions and the Hot Spring Etiquette Guide, and make sure your campsite is at least 100 yards from any water sources.

Nestled in the mountains east of the springs, take the quick 30-minute drive to Toquima Cave. 1,500 to 3,000 years ago, the Shoshone people used this sacred rock shelter as a temporary dwelling.

Water Quality (4/5): Crystal-clear water with minimal sediment or odor.
Ease of Access (3/5): Requires a moderate hike through the mountains on a well-maintained trail.
Ability to Be Alone (4/5): Secluded location with multiple individual soaking pools offering high chances of solitude.
Water Temperature (4/5): Consistent, comfortably warm temperature suitable for extended soaking.
Health Benefits (4/5): Rich in magnesium and silica, potentially beneficial for muscle tension and skin health.
Nearby Amenities (2/5): Limited amenities, basic changing rooms and picnic area.

Carson Hot Springs

Carson hot springs is another resort style spa, used by folks during the gold rush. It was once home to a bottling company. Over the years stars such as opera star Miss Gracie and Jim Corbett, a renowned professional prizefighter, stayed at the resort.

In the outdoor pools, natural mineral water flows out of the ground at 121 degrees. Pools are a flow-through system and are drained and refilled each day. No chemical or city water is added.

Nine private pools have pool temperatures from 100-104 degrees and vary according to the natural flow of the spring. Private pools do not have a strict capacity limit, but comfortably accommodate groups of 4-5 people.

Sassafras Eclectic Food Joint and the Shoe Tree Brewery is available for food and drinks.

Carson City, Nevada boasts an array of outdoor adventures, fine restaurants, challenging golf courses, historical attractions, museums, gaming opportunities, and a plethora of events and entertainment.

The heart of the action – Carson City – is nestled just minutes from world-famous Lake Tahoe, electrifying Reno, historic Virginia City and the majestic Sierra Nevada mountain range.

Water Quality (4/5): Clean water with minimal sediment, a faint sulfur smell is present.
- Sodium (435mg/L): All cells are bathed in sodium-containing fluids.
- Sulfate (145mg/L): Forms molecular bridges to create firm protein in hair, nails, and skin. Rids the body of toxins. Helps to create smooth, clear skin. *If you find white particles floating in the water, they may be sulfate or sodium. Rub them on your skin to help keep skin looking young!
- Chloride (145mg/L): Helps to balance the pH of the body. Activates enzymes in saliva.
- Silica (33mg/L): Required for healthy hair, nails, bones, nerves, and mucous membranes.
- Potassium (24mg/L): Helps muscles to function properly. Balances iron content in the blood and gives cells nutrients. Needed for nerve impulse transport. Releases energy from the fats, proteins, and carbohydrates we eat for use by the body.
- Calcium (15mg/L): Helps to maintain strong teeth and bones. Needed for cell membrane structure and blood clotting. Helps the body to absorb vitamins B and D.
- Flouride (11mg/L): Makes teeth strong and decay-resistant. Helps with bone maintenance.
- Magnesium (3.2mg/L): Helps maintain strong bones and healthy nerve function. Essential part of protein synthesis. Releases energy from glycogen in the muscles. *You may see it as tiny dark-colored particles in the water.
- Lithium (1.3mg/L): Increases tranquil mood.
- Trace elements: Iron, Manganese, Zinc, and Arsenic.

Ease of Access (4/5): Paved road leads to ample parking and a short walk to the pools.
Ability to Be Alone (3/5): Moderate crowds, with both communal and private soaking options available.
Water Temperature (3/5): Single pool with a slightly warm temperature, suitable for short dips or acclimation.
Health Benefits (4/5): Rich in lithium and sulfur, potentially beneficial for mood and joint health.
Nearby Amenities (4/5): Historic hotel with lodging, restaurant, and basic changing rooms.