Grovers Hot Springs

Douglas County, California · Near Gardnerville Ranchos
38.6990°N, 119.8460°W · 5,880 ft
147°F 43°F air · Good soaking weather 5,880 ft Open Short Walk US Forest Service Camping nearby (2.8 mi)
Very Hot Source, Use Extreme Caution

At 147°F, the source water at Grovers Hot Springs is hot enough to cause burns. Some hot springs this hot have cooler side pools or downstream areas suitable for soaking. Always test the water temperature before entering.

Grovers Hot Springs comes out of the ground scalding in the Toiyabe National Forest, on Forest Service land, filed under Douglas County, nearest town Gardnerville Ranchos. The source water is too hot to touch. Access is open.

Location

About a thousand feet of walking from an unnamed road. The spring lies near six thousand feet on national forest ground, in a place that records well over twelve feet of snowfall in an ordinary winter and an annual mean in the high forties. For camping the record points to Silver Lake East (Eldorado), about three miles off.

The listed best months are December through February, a strange pick given the snowfall; be ready for winter road conditions or go when the snow is off. The source is scalding. Soaking means finding water that has cooled, and the record does not describe any pool, so look before you commit. No fee on file. Forest Service land, open access.

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 Grovers Hot Springs.

Aerial view of the ground around Grovers Hot Springs LiDAR bare-earth view of the same ground around Grovers Hot Springs
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 southwest.
Highest ground nearby
236 ft above the spring
Within a quarter mile, to the southwest
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
125 milliwatts per square meter of heat flow

That's about twice the US average of 65. It's higher than at 76% 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
32°
Jan
32°
Feb
36°
Mar
41°
Apr
49°
May
61°
Jun
69°
Jul
68°
Aug
61°
Sep
50°
Oct
38°
Nov
30°
Dec
Annual Precip: 28.9 in Annual Snow: 149.0 in
Best Time to Visit
December Air 30°F · Water 147°F · +117° contrast
January Air 32°F · Water 147°F · +115° contrast
February Air 32°F · Water 147°F · +115° contrast
December offers 39°F more contrast than July
Current Conditions
43°F
ENE 0.0 mph 49% Good soaking weather
Today 75° Low 51° Sunny
Spring is +72° warmer
Wednesday 70° Low 49° Sunny
Spring is +77° warmer
Thursday 70° Low 50° Sunny
Spring is +77° warmer
Friday 75° Low 53° Sunny
Spring is +72° warmer
Saturday 77° Low 55° Sunny
Spring is +70° warmer
Where to Stay

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Nearby Camping
Silver Lake East Eldorado 2.8 mi away

Overview Silver Lake East is located 50 miles east of Jackson, California, just a short distance from the shores of Silver lake, where activities like boating, fishing, swimming and hiking, provide campers with the perfect outdoors retreat. Numerous trails leaving the campground connect with the lake and swimming beaches. Silver Lake West is adjacent to Silver Lake East on the other side of Highway 88, and offers additional trails and access to the Silver Fork of the American River. Recrea...

Reservable Yes
Reserve on Recreation.gov →
Mile-High Advisory 5,880 ft

Grovers Hot Springs sits at 5,880 feet above sea level, way above the mile-high mark. You may not feel the altitude strongly, but hot water still dehydrates you faster at elevation. UV is about 24% stronger than at sea level, so bring sunscreen and drink more water than you normally would.

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Temperature
147°F
Warm Hot Boiling
Water Temp 147°F (64°C)
Avg Air Temp 47°F
Above Ambient +100°F
Great soaking conditions September
Access
Open
Road Access Short Walk
Distance to Road 0.2 mi
Land
Ownership Federal
Agency US Forest Service
Designation National Forest
Unit Toiyabe National Forest
Manager US Forest Service
Protection 3 - Protected, subject to extractive use
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the water temperature at Grovers Hot Springs?
Grovers Hot Springs has a water temperature of 147°F (64°C). This is considered a hot spring, well above body temperature.
Where is Grovers Hot Springs located?
Grovers Hot Springs is located in Douglas County, California at 5,880 feet elevation, near Gardnerville Ranchos. Coordinates: 38.6990°N, 119.8460°W.
How do I get to Grovers Hot Springs?
Grovers Hot Springs has Short Walk road access (0.2 mi from the road).
Is Grovers Hot Springs free to visit?
Grovers Hot Springs has Open access. It is managed by US Forest Service.
Can I camp near Grovers Hot Springs?
Yes, Silver Lake East Eldorado is located nearby (2.8 miles away).
Is it safe to soak at Grovers Hot Springs?
No, not at the source. The water at Grovers Hot Springs reaches 147°F, which can cause severe burns within seconds. Look for cooled side pools or downstream stretches, and test with a hand before anything else.