Campbell Ranch Springs

White Pine County, Nevada · Near McGill
39.5470°N, 114.9150°W · 6,100 ft
76°F 37°F air · Good soaking weather 6,100 ft Open Roadside Bureau of Land Management Camping nearby (14.3 mi)
Aerial view of the ground around Campbell Ranch Springs

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

Campbell Ranch Springs are tepid springs on BLM land in White Pine County, twelve miles or so from McGill. The water reads in the mid-seventies on file, cool for a soak, fine for a wade on a hot afternoon. Public access is open. The ranch in the name is not described on record, and the springs themselves carry no other name.

Location

Roadside, a little over two hundred feet from a road with no name attached, on the BLM's Bristlecone Field Office. At sixty-one hundred feet this is high basin country with winters that bring over three feet of snow and a foot of total precipitation. East Creek Campground, fourteen miles out, is the only camping the record lists.

The coldest months rank highest on file, though for tepid water at this altitude the season is a judgment call. No fee is listed. Camping at East Creek is a real drive away, so plan on a day visit or a long way in. The reading is a USGS listing.

Terrain

USGS hasn't flown a detailed laser scan here yet, so this view comes from aerial photos and older elevation data.

Setting
Open ground
Flat, open ground all around.
Highest ground nearby
77 ft above the spring
Within a quarter mile, to the west
Cross-section through the spring

A slice through the ground from west to east, about 0.6 miles end to end.

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

Heat Below
88 milliwatts per square meter of heat flow

That's about 1½ times the US average of 65. It's higher than at 28% 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
24°
Jan
27°
Feb
36°
Mar
45°
Apr
55°
May
69°
Jun
77°
Jul
75°
Aug
65°
Sep
51°
Oct
37°
Nov
25°
Dec
Annual Precip: 11.6 in Annual Snow: 39.9 in
Best Time to Visit
January Air 24°F · Water 76°F · +52° contrast
December Air 25°F · Water 76°F · +51° contrast
February Air 27°F · Water 76°F · +49° contrast
January offers 53°F more contrast than July
Current Conditions
37°F
Clear S 29.0 mph 48% Good soaking weather
Tuesday 80° Low 46° Patchy Blowing Dust
Wednesday 79° Low 52° Patchy Blowing Dust 2% precip
Thursday 78° Low 53° Patchy Blowing Dust 1% precip
Friday 77° Low 47° Sunny 1% precip
Saturday 79° Low 46° Sunny 3% precip
Nearby Camping
Nearby Camping
East Creek Campground 14.3 mi away

Overview Located high on the slopes of the Schell Creek Range in the Duck Creek Basin, sitting in the middle of an alder, pinyon and juniper forest, East Creek Campground offers a wide range of recreation opportunities to the forest visitor. Hiking, mountain biking and off-road vehicle riding are just some of the popular activities enjoyed by visitors to the area. Elevation is 7,400 feet, located approximately 20 miles from Ely, Nevada.   Recreation The Ranger Trail can be accessed from thi...

Reservable Yes
Reserve on Recreation.gov →
Mile-High Advisory 6,100 ft

Campbell Ranch Springs sits at 6,100 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
76°F
Warm Hot Boiling
Water Temp 76°F (24°C)
Avg Air Temp 49°F
Above Ambient +27°F
Mild soaking conditions September
Access
Open
Road Access Roadside
Distance to Road 234 ft
Land
Ownership Federal
Agency Bureau of Land Management
Designation PUB
Unit Bristlecone Field Office
Manager Bureau of Land Management
Protection 3 - Protected, subject to extractive use
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the water temperature at Campbell Ranch Springs?
Campbell Ranch Springs has a water temperature of 76°F (24°C). This is a warm thermal spring.
Where is Campbell Ranch Springs located?
Campbell Ranch Springs is located in White Pine County, Nevada at 6,100 feet elevation, near McGill. Coordinates: 39.5470°N, 114.9150°W.
How do I get to Campbell Ranch Springs?
Campbell Ranch Springs has Roadside road access (234 ft from the road).
Is Campbell Ranch Springs free to visit?
Campbell Ranch Springs has Open access. It is managed by Bureau of Land Management.
Can I camp near Campbell Ranch Springs?
Yes, East Creek Campground is located nearby (14.3 miles away).
Sources: USGS NWIS