Spring

Yavapai County, Arizona · Near Prescott
34.4450°N, 112.6930°W · 4,080 ft
72°F 74°F air · Good soaking weather 4,080 ft Restricted Roadside SDOL Camping nearby (12.2 mi)

An unnamed thermal point on Arizona State Trust Land in Yavapai County, seventeen miles from Prescott, recorded by the USGS as nothing more specific than a spring. The water is warm, low seventies. Access is restricted. That, and the mild temperature, make it a footnote on the map for most people. The linked Wikipedia article is the generic one on hot springs and says nothing about this site.

Location

The spring is essentially in the road; the record puts it three feet from the nearest one. The land is State Trust Land managed by the state land office, at around four thousand feet, with a dozen inches of snow in a typical winter and moderate rainfall. Thumb Butte, twelve miles off, is the campground the record pairs with this site. The land designation is given as SRMA.

Winter months rate best. Because access is restricted, do not assume you can stop and look even though the road passes right by; confirm with the state land office first. The only water data is a total dissolved solids figure from 1979, moderate mineral content and long out of date. No fee is on record.

Terrain

Aircraft with laser scanners measured this ground to within inches. The scan strips out trees and buildings, leaving the bare shape of the land around Spring.

Aerial view of the ground around Spring LiDAR bare-earth view of the same ground around Spring
Aerial LiDAR bare earth

Drag the handle to compare the two views. The orange dot marks the spring, in a frame about three quarters of a mile wide.

Setting
Gentle slope
The ground tilts gently up to the south.
Highest ground nearby
67 ft above the spring
Within a quarter mile, to the south
Cross-section through the spring

A slice through the ground from southwest to northeast, about 0.6 miles end to end.

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

Heat Below
100 milliwatts per square meter of heat flow

That's about 1½ times the US average of 65. It's higher than at 47% 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
44°
Jan
47°
Feb
54°
Mar
61°
Apr
68°
May
80°
Jun
82°
Jul
81°
Aug
75°
Sep
65°
Oct
53°
Nov
44°
Dec
Annual Precip: 13.7 in Annual Snow: 11.5 in
Best Time to Visit
January Air 44°F · Water 72°F · +28° contrast
December Air 44°F · Water 72°F · +28° contrast
February Air 47°F · Water 72°F · +26° contrast
January offers 38°F more contrast than July
Current Conditions
74°F
E 28.8 mph 68% Good soaking weather
Tuesday 85° Low 65° Chance Showers And Thunderstorms 30% precip
Wednesday 82° Low 65° Chance Showers And Thunderstorms 48% precip
Thursday 84° Low 62° Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms 34% precip
Friday 88° Low 63° Sunny 5% precip
Saturday 89° Low 63° Sunny 5% precip
Water Chemistry Sampled 1979-03-16

The water at Spring contains 475 mg/L total dissolved solids.

Higher mineral concentration for therapeutic soaking
Where to Stay

Some links are affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Nearby Camping
Thumb Butte 12.2 mi away

Overview Thumb Butte Group Picnic Area is a convenient place for groups of up to 100 people to enjoy a day outdoors. The site is located under the towering pines of Prescott National Forest about 4 miles west of Prescott, and provides easy access to a variety of trails and amenities. It offers a year-round pavilion and a quiet, shaded setting for luncheons, church gatherings, family picnics and other large functions. To make reservations click on the availability button to the right to book t...

Reservable Yes
Reserve on Recreation.gov →
Temperature
72°F
Warm Hot Boiling
Water Temp 72°F (22°C)
Avg Air Temp 63°F
Above Ambient +9°F
Mild soaking conditions September
Access
Restricted
Road Access Roadside
Distance to Road 3 ft
Land
Ownership State
Agency SDOL
Designation SRMA
Unit State Trust Land
Manager SDOL
Protection 4 - No known protection
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the water temperature at Spring?
Spring has a water temperature of 72°F (22°C). This is a warm thermal spring.
Where is Spring located?
Spring is located in Yavapai County, Arizona at 4,080 feet elevation, near Prescott. Coordinates: 34.4450°N, 112.6930°W.
How do I get to Spring?
Spring has Roadside road access (3 ft from the road).
Is Spring free to visit?
Spring has Restricted access. It is managed by SDOL.
Can I camp near Spring?
Yes, Thumb Butte is located nearby (12.2 miles away).
What minerals are in the water at Spring?
Water chemistry analysis shows the presence of Total Dissolved Solids. Total dissolved solids measure 475 mg/L.
Sources: USGS NWIS, Wikipedia