Caliente Hot Springs

Lincoln County, Nevada · Near Caliente
37.6210°N, 114.5100°W · 4,430 ft
118°F 50°F air · Good soaking weather 4,430 ft Roadside

Two miles from the town of Caliente in Lincoln County, Nevada, Caliente Hot Springs runs hot, past the comfortable soaking range at the source. A 2005 sample shows near-neutral water with calcium and sodium in it. The record has a USGS site number plus a photograph, and nothing at all on ownership or public access.

Location

A road runs past some two hundred fifty feet away. Moderate elevation, a climate that drops twenty inches of snow in a winter and stays dry otherwise. Nobody is listed as land manager, and there is no designation, so private ground is possible. What the spring emerges into, and if anything has been built at it, the file does not record.

The months on file are December through February. Water this hot needs care; test before getting in and do not stay long. Ownership and access are unknown; the town is close enough to ask. The record lists no fee and gives no campground. The 2005 chemistry is recent by the standards of this inventory.

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 Caliente Hot 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
372 ft above the spring
Within a quarter mile, to the northeast
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
141 milliwatts per square meter of heat flow

That's about twice the US average of 65. It's higher than at 90% 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
34°
Jan
39°
Feb
48°
Mar
57°
Apr
65°
May
79°
Jun
83°
Jul
81°
Aug
73°
Sep
59°
Oct
46°
Nov
35°
Dec
Annual Precip: 9.4 in Annual Snow: 20.4 in
Best Time to Visit
January Air 34°F · Water 118°F · +84° contrast
December Air 35°F · Water 118°F · +84° contrast
February Air 39°F · Water 118°F · +80° contrast
January offers 49°F more contrast than July
Current Conditions
50°F
NNW 2.7 mph 42% Good soaking weather
Tuesday 86° Low 53° Sunny 3% precip
Spring is +32° warmer
Wednesday 84° Low 56° Sunny 3% precip
Spring is +34° warmer
Thursday 84° Low 54° Sunny 3% precip
Spring is +34° warmer
Friday 86° Low 50° Sunny 1% precip
Spring is +32° warmer
Saturday 88° Low 48° Sunny 2% precip
Spring is +30° warmer
Water Chemistry Sampled 2005-11-09

The water at Caliente Hot Springs is slightly alkaline (pH 7.7).

pH 7.7 Slightly Alkaline
pH influences mineral absorption through skin
Calcium 35 mg/L
May support bone density and joint health
Magnesium 7 mg/L
Known for muscle relaxation and stress relief
Sodium 51 mg/L
Supports circulation and skin hydration
Sulfate 39 mg/L
Traditionally used for skin conditions and inflammation
Chloride 14 mg/L
Natural antiseptic with skin health benefits
Where to Stay

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Temperature
118°F
Warm Hot Boiling
Water Temp 118°F (48°C)
Avg Air Temp 58°F
Above Ambient +60°F
Good soaking conditions September
Access
Road Access Roadside
Distance to Road 254 ft

Hike 1 waterfall near Caliente Hot Springs

Looking for more outdoor adventures? Explore waterfall hikes near Caliente Hot Springs, Nevada.

Frequently Asked Questions
What is the water temperature at Caliente Hot Springs?
Caliente Hot Springs has a water temperature of 118°F (48°C). This is considered a hot spring, well above body temperature.
Where is Caliente Hot Springs located?
Caliente Hot Springs is located in Lincoln County, Nevada at 4,430 feet elevation, near Caliente. Coordinates: 37.6210°N, 114.5100°W.
How do I get to Caliente Hot Springs?
Caliente Hot Springs has Roadside road access (254 ft from the road).
What minerals are in the water at Caliente Hot Springs?
Water chemistry analysis shows the presence of pH, Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Sulfate, Chloride. The pH is 7.7 (slightly alkaline).
Is it safe to soak at Caliente Hot Springs?
With care. At 118°F Caliente Hot Springs 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.
Sources: USGS NWIS