Delmues Springs

Lincoln County, Nevada · Near Pioche
37.8600°N, 114.3210°W · 5,080 ft
70°F 5,080 ft Open Roadside Bureau of Land Management
Aerial view of the ground around Delmues Springs

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

Public BLM ground outside Pioche, Nevada holds Delmues Springs, a tepid spring nine or so miles from town in Lincoln County. The temperature on record is seventy degrees, cool enough that calling it a hot spring is generous. Access is open. The Caliente Field Office manages the land.

Location

Delmue Ranch Road comes within a few hundred feet. Elevation is around five thousand feet, which puts it in cooler valley country; winters bring twenty inches of snow or thereabouts, and the year is dry overall, eight inches of precipitation. Park, then a short walk across BLM land.

Open to the public, so no permission needed. The record suggests December through February. No heat hazard at this temperature. Water chemistry dates to 1985, neutral to slightly alkaline. No camping on file.

Terrain

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

Setting
Valley floor
Gentle slopes rise on both sides.
Highest ground nearby
190 ft above the spring
Within a quarter mile, to the southwest
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
110 milliwatts per square meter of heat flow

That's about 1½ times the US average of 65. It's higher than at 60% 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
31°
Jan
35°
Feb
44°
Mar
53°
Apr
62°
May
76°
Jun
80°
Jul
78°
Aug
70°
Sep
56°
Oct
43°
Nov
31°
Dec
Annual Precip: 8.2 in Annual Snow: 19.6 in
Best Time to Visit
January Air 31°F · Water 70°F · +39° contrast
December Air 31°F · Water 70°F · +39° contrast
February Air 35°F · Water 70°F · +35° contrast
January offers 49°F more contrast than July
Water Chemistry Sampled 1985-04-08

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

pH 7.7 Slightly Alkaline
pH influences mineral absorption through skin
Calcium 47 mg/L
May support bone density and joint health
Magnesium 7 mg/L
Known for muscle relaxation and stress relief
Sodium 30 mg/L
Supports circulation and skin hydration
Sulfate 18 mg/L
Traditionally used for skin conditions and inflammation
Chloride 24 mg/L
Natural antiseptic with skin health benefits
Temperature
70°F
Warm Hot Boiling
Water Temp 70°F (21°C)
Avg Air Temp 55°F
Above Ambient +15°F
Mild soaking conditions September
Access
Open
Road Access Roadside
Nearest Road Delmue Ranch Road
Distance to Road 239 ft
Land
Ownership Federal
Agency Bureau of Land Management
Designation PUB
Unit Caliente Field Office
Manager Bureau of Land Management
Protection 3 - Protected, subject to extractive use

Hike 1 waterfall near Delmues Springs

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

Frequently Asked Questions
What is the water temperature at Delmues Springs?
Delmues Springs has a water temperature of 70°F (21°C). This is a warm thermal spring.
Where is Delmues Springs located?
Delmues Springs is located in Lincoln County, Nevada at 5,080 feet elevation, near Pioche. Coordinates: 37.8600°N, 114.3210°W.
How do I get to Delmues Springs?
Delmues Springs has Roadside road access, with the nearest road being Delmue Ranch Road (239 ft from the road).
Is Delmues Springs free to visit?
Delmues Springs has Open access. It is managed by Bureau of Land Management.
What minerals are in the water at Delmues Springs?
Water chemistry analysis shows the presence of pH, Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Sulfate, Chloride. The pH is 7.7 (slightly alkaline).
Sources: USGS NWIS