Lava Warm Springs

Mohave County, Arizona · Near Peach Springs
36.1960°N, 113.0810°W · 1,675 ft
90°F 69°F air · Good soaking weather 1,675 ft Unknown Short Walk DESG

Lava Warm Springs comes up on the Hualapai Indian Reservation, out in Mohave County with Peach Springs sitting about fifty miles off. Ninety degrees at the source, body warm on a cool day. Tribal land, and permission to visit is not on record. Someone sampled the water in April 2023 and found it slightly acidic with iron in it. There is a photo.

Location

The road ends about a mile short of the spring. Nobody has named it on file, so you walk. The spring sits low, well under two thousand feet, in country that nevertheless sees more than a foot of snow in a normal year with rain around ten inches. Seventy or so is the mean for the year. Tribal land, Hualapai. No campground is named anywhere in the record.

The best months given are the winter ones, December through February. Plan on walking about a mile from the road. The reservation controls access and the record says unknown, so get permission from the tribe before going. Neither camp nor fee appears on file. Mild water, no heat warning needed. The chemistry is recent, a 2023 sample.

Terrain

USGS hasn't flown a detailed laser scan here yet, so this view comes from aerial photos and older elevation data.

Aerial view of the ground around Lava Warm Springs

The orange dot marks the spring, in a frame about three quarters of a mile wide.

Setting
Canyon floor
Steep ground climbs away on both sides of the spring.
Highest ground nearby
1,111 ft above the spring
Within a quarter mile, to the southwest
Cross-section through the spring

A slice through the ground from north to south, about 0.6 miles end to end.

Elevation data: USGS 3D Elevation Program. Aerial imagery: USGS The National Map. Public domain.

Heat Below
89 milliwatts per square meter of heat flow

That's about 1½ times the US average of 65. It's higher than at 30% of the springs on this site.

Heat flow measures the warmth working its way up through the ground from deep inside the earth. Where it runs high, rain and snowmelt that seep down through cracks in the rock come back up hot.

Heat flow estimate: Stanford Thermal Earth Model (Aljubran & Horne, 2024), CC BY 4.0.

Monthly Climate
48°
Jan
52°
Feb
60°
Mar
68°
Apr
78°
May
89°
Jun
93°
Jul
91°
Aug
84°
Sep
72°
Oct
59°
Nov
48°
Dec
Annual Precip: 9.6 in Annual Snow: 15.1 in
Best Time to Visit
January Air 48°F · Water 90°F · +42° contrast
December Air 48°F · Water 90°F · +42° contrast
February Air 52°F · Water 90°F · +38° contrast
January offers 45°F more contrast than July
Current Conditions
69°F
SSE 46.8 mph 51% Good soaking weather
Tuesday 92° Low 68° Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms 11% precip
Wednesday 91° Low 68° Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms 24% precip
Thursday 89° Low 66° Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms 11% precip
Spring is +1° warmer
Friday 90° Low 65° Sunny 5% precip
Saturday 91° Low 64° Sunny 4% precip
Water Chemistry Sampled 2023-04-25

The water at Lava Warm Springs is slightly acidic (pH 6.2). It is notably rich in calcium (may support bone density and joint health) and magnesium (known for muscle relaxation and stress relief).

pH 6.2 Slightly Acidic
pH influences mineral absorption through skin
Calcium 150 mg/L
May support bone density and joint health
Magnesium 60 mg/L
Known for muscle relaxation and stress relief
Sodium 85 mg/L
Supports circulation and skin hydration
Sulfate 33 mg/L
Traditionally used for skin conditions and inflammation
Chloride 86 mg/L
Natural antiseptic with skin health benefits
Iron 0 µg/L
Iron-rich springs may support circulation
Where to Stay

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Temperature
90°F
Warm Hot Boiling
Water Temp 90°F (32°C)
Avg Air Temp 70°F
Above Ambient +20°F
Mild soaking conditions September
Access
Unknown
Road Access Short Walk
Distance to Road 1.0 mi
Land
Ownership DESG
Agency DESG
Designation Tribal Land
Unit Hualapai Indian Reservation
Manager TRIB
Protection 4 - No known protection
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the water temperature at Lava Warm Springs?
Lava Warm Springs has a water temperature of 90°F (32°C). This is a warm thermal spring.
Where is Lava Warm Springs located?
Lava Warm Springs is located in Mohave County, Arizona at 1,675 feet elevation, near Peach Springs. Coordinates: 36.1960°N, 113.0810°W.
How do I get to Lava Warm Springs?
Lava Warm Springs has Short Walk road access (1.0 mi from the road).
Is Lava Warm Springs free to visit?
Lava Warm Springs has Unknown access. It is managed by DESG.
What minerals are in the water at Lava Warm Springs?
Water chemistry analysis shows the presence of pH, Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Sulfate, Chloride, Iron. The pH is 6.2 (slightly acidic).
Sources: USGS NWIS, Wikipedia