Anaho Island Spring

Washoe County, Nevada · Near Spanish Springs
39.9440°N, 119.5090°W · 3,799 ft
120°F 47°F air · Good soaking weather 3,799 ft Unknown Hike DESG

Anaho Island Spring is a hot spring in Washoe County, Nevada, about 22 miles from Spanish Springs, on Pyramid Lake Paiute Reservation ground. The water on file is hot, well past comfortable soaking, the kind that needs cooling before anyone gets in. Tribal land, and access is not established on the record. Reaching the point means a hike of about a mile and a half from the nearest road.

Location
22 miles from Spanish Springs, NV

Under 3,800 feet, low desert, with a little winter snow and scant precipitation. No road name is on file. No campground is listed. The land unit is the Pyramid Lake Paiute Reservation, which governs everything about how and if a visitor may approach. Nothing on record describes the spring itself.

Ask the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe before planning anything; nothing on record grants access. Hot water here can burn, and no pool or cooling is described. Winter months rate best. No chemistry, no sample date, no fee, no image on file. The temperature may come from an old survey.

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 Anaho Island Spring

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

Setting
Open ground
Flat, open ground all around.
Highest ground nearby
54 ft above the spring
Within a quarter mile, to the north
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
91 milliwatts per square meter of heat flow

That's about 1½ times the US average of 65. It's higher than at 32% 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
39°
Jan
41°
Feb
47°
Mar
54°
Apr
62°
May
73°
Jun
82°
Jul
81°
Aug
73°
Sep
59°
Oct
46°
Nov
37°
Dec
Annual Precip: 9.9 in Annual Snow: 16.7 in
Best Time to Visit
December Air 37°F · Water 120°F · +83° contrast
January Air 39°F · Water 120°F · +82° contrast
February Air 41°F · Water 120°F · +79° contrast
December offers 44°F more contrast than August
Current Conditions
47°F
ESE 7.2 mph 43% Good soaking weather
Tuesday 69° Low 53° Sunny
Spring is +51° warmer
Wednesday 67° Low 55° Sunny 3% precip
Spring is +53° warmer
Thursday 66° Low 54° Sunny 1% precip
Spring is +54° warmer
Friday 67° Low 54° Sunny
Spring is +53° warmer
Saturday 69° Low 56° Sunny
Spring is +51° warmer
Where to Stay

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Temperature
120°F
Warm Hot Boiling
Water Temp 120°F (49°C)
Avg Air Temp 58°F
Above Ambient +62°F
Good soaking conditions September
Access
Unknown
Road Access Hike
Distance to Road 1.6 mi
Land
Ownership DESG
Agency DESG
Designation Tribal Land
Unit Pyramid Lake Paiute Reservation
Manager TRIB
Protection 4 - No known protection
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the water temperature at Anaho Island Spring?
Anaho Island Spring has a water temperature of 120°F (49°C). This is considered a hot spring, well above body temperature.
Where is Anaho Island Spring located?
Anaho Island Spring is located in Washoe County, Nevada at 3,799 feet elevation, near Spanish Springs. Coordinates: 39.9440°N, 119.5090°W.
How do I get to Anaho Island Spring?
Anaho Island Spring has Hike road access (1.6 mi from the road).
Is Anaho Island Spring free to visit?
Anaho Island Spring has Unknown access. It is managed by DESG.
Is it safe to soak at Anaho Island Spring?
With care. At 120°F Anaho Island Spring is hot enough to need short sessions, fifteen to twenty minutes, and plenty of water. Enter slowly and get out if you feel light-headed.