Keane Wonder Spring

Nye County, California · Near Beatty
36.6750°N, 116.9230°W · 1,371 ft
93°F 85°F air 1,371 ft Open Short Walk National Park Service Camping nearby (15.0 mi)
Aerial view of the ground around Keane Wonder Spring LiDAR bare-earth view of the same ground around Keane Wonder 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.

Keane Wonder Spring is a warm source in Death Valley National Park, off Keane Wonder Mine Road, about thirty-five miles from Beatty. The water comes out at the bottom of soaking range, low nineties. The National Park Service lists access as Open. It is desert in the fullest sense: three inches of precipitation in a whole year.

Location

A short walk, seven tenths of a mile off Keane Wonder Mine Road, across park land at around fourteen hundred feet. Average temperatures here run in the low seventies, snow is close to nonexistent, and rain barely registers. Furnace Creek Campground is fifteen miles from it.

The cool months, December into February, are on record as the best. Access is open and park rules apply. Nobody has recorded a fee. The chemistry is from a 1982 USGS sample and the temperature may have drifted since. No photo on file.

History of Keane Wonder Spring

The USGS sampled the water in April 1982. The analysis turned up sodium, chloride, sulfate, calcium and magnesium.

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 Keane Wonder Spring.

Setting
Hillside
The spring sits on a steep slope that climbs to the northeast.
Highest ground nearby
376 ft above the spring
Within a quarter mile, to the northeast
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
97 milliwatts per square meter of heat flow

That's about 1½ times the US average of 65. It's higher than at 42% 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
51°
Jan
55°
Feb
64°
Mar
72°
Apr
79°
May
91°
Jun
96°
Jul
94°
Aug
86°
Sep
72°
Oct
59°
Nov
49°
Dec
Annual Precip: 2.7 in Annual Snow: 0.6 in
Best Time to Visit
December Air 49°F · Water 93°F · +44° contrast
January Air 51°F · Water 93°F · +42° contrast
February Air 55°F · Water 93°F · +38° contrast
December offers 47°F more contrast than July
Current Conditions
85°F
ESE 8.3 mph 14%
Tuesday 99° Low 75° Sunny
Wednesday 96° Low 75° Sunny
Thursday 95° Low 74° Sunny
Friday 100° Low 73° Sunny
Saturday 102° Low 74° Sunny
Water Chemistry Sampled 1982-04-23

The water at Keane Wonder Spring is neutral (pH 6.8). It is notably rich in calcium (may support bone density and joint health), magnesium (known for muscle relaxation and stress relief), and sodium (supports circulation and skin hydration).

pH 6.8 Neutral
pH influences mineral absorption through skin
Calcium 100 mg/L
May support bone density and joint health
Magnesium 38 mg/L
Known for muscle relaxation and stress relief
Sodium 970 mg/L
Supports circulation and skin hydration
Sulfate 740 mg/L
Traditionally used for skin conditions and inflammation
Chloride 550 mg/L
Natural antiseptic with skin health benefits
Nearby Camping
Nearby Camping
Furnace Creek Campground 15.0 mi away

Overview Furnace Creek Campground is the only NPS campground in the park that is reservable. All other NPS campgrounds operate on a first-come, first-serve basis.PLEASE NOTE: The actual availability of any first-come, first served-sites (FF) IS NOT reflected on the Recreation.gov website in real time.Advance reservations are highly recommended for Furnace Creek Campground during the reservation window (October 15 - April 15).  First-come, first-served sites (FF) at Furnace Creek Campground ar...

Reservable Yes
Reserve on Recreation.gov →
Temperature
93°F
Warm Hot Boiling
Water Temp 93°F (34°C)
Avg Air Temp 72°F
Above Ambient +21°F
Mild soaking conditions September
Access
Open
Road Access Short Walk
Nearest Road Keane Wonder Mine Road
Distance to Road 0.7 mi
Land
Ownership Federal
Agency National Park Service
Designation National Park
Unit Death Valley National Park
Manager National Park Service
Protection 1 - Permanent protection, natural state

Hike 1 waterfall near Keane Wonder Spring

Looking for more outdoor adventures? Explore waterfall hikes near Keane Wonder Spring, California.

Frequently Asked Questions
What is the water temperature at Keane Wonder Spring?
Keane Wonder Spring has a water temperature of 93°F (34°C). This is a warm thermal spring.
Where is Keane Wonder Spring located?
Keane Wonder Spring is located in Nye County, California at 1,371 feet elevation, near Beatty. Coordinates: 36.6750°N, 116.9230°W.
How do I get to Keane Wonder Spring?
Keane Wonder Spring has Short Walk road access, with the nearest road being Keane Wonder Mine Road (0.7 mi from the road).
Is Keane Wonder Spring free to visit?
Keane Wonder Spring has Open access. It is managed by National Park Service.
Can I camp near Keane Wonder Spring?
Yes, Furnace Creek Campground is located nearby (15.0 miles away).
What minerals are in the water at Keane Wonder Spring?
Water chemistry analysis shows the presence of pH, Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Sulfate, Chloride. The pH is 6.8 (neutral).
Sources: USGS NWIS