Dixie Hot Springs

Pershing County, Nevada · Near Lovelock
39.7970°N, 118.0670°W · 3,418 ft
162°F 45°F air · Good soaking weather 3,418 ft Short Walk
Very Hot Source, Use Extreme Caution

At 162°F, the source water at Dixie Hot Springs is hot enough to cause burns. Some hot springs this hot have cooler side pools or downstream areas suitable for soaking. Always test the water temperature before entering.

Dixie Hot Springs sits off Dixie Valley Road in Pershing County, roughly 34 miles from Lovelock. The water comes out scalding, well past the point where skin can take it, so this is a thing to look at and test with a stick before anything else. Nobody is listed as owner and there is no access status, which in this part of Nevada should make you cautious about where you are standing.

Location

Dixie Valley Road comes to within a couple hundred yards and you walk the rest. The spring lies in basin country at middling elevation. Winters bring some snow, the year is dry. A 2009 water sample put the water on the alkaline side with a fair load of dissolved solids, and iron among the minerals.

The cold months are listed as the best time. Reaching the spring is a short walk off the road. At these temperatures the water will scald on contact, so keep dogs and kids well back from where it surfaces. Ownership and public access are blank in the record. Confirm you are allowed there.

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 Dixie Hot Springs.

Aerial view of the ground around Dixie Hot Springs LiDAR bare-earth view of the same ground around Dixie Hot Springs
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.

Setting
Open ground
Flat, open ground all around.
Highest ground nearby
57 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
139 milliwatts per square meter of heat flow

That's about twice the US average of 65. It's higher than at 88% 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
38°
Jan
43°
Feb
50°
Mar
58°
Apr
65°
May
78°
Jun
86°
Jul
84°
Aug
75°
Sep
60°
Oct
47°
Nov
36°
Dec
Annual Precip: 8.5 in Annual Snow: 13.5 in
Best Time to Visit
December Air 36°F · Water 162°F · +126° contrast
January Air 38°F · Water 162°F · +124° contrast
February Air 43°F · Water 162°F · +119° contrast
December offers 50°F more contrast than July
Current Conditions
45°F
Clear W 16.6 mph 45% Good soaking weather
Tuesday 84° Low 53° Sunny
Spring is +78° warmer
Wednesday 84° Low 55° Sunny
Spring is +78° warmer
Thursday 80° Low 57° Sunny
Spring is +82° warmer
Friday 84° Low 54° Sunny
Spring is +78° warmer
Saturday 86° Low 56° Sunny
Spring is +76° warmer
Water Chemistry Sampled 2009-10-23

The water at Dixie Hot Springs is slightly alkaline (pH 8.5) with 648 mg/L total dissolved solids. It is notably rich in chloride (natural antiseptic with skin health benefits).

pH 8.5 Slightly Alkaline
pH influences mineral absorption through skin
Higher mineral concentration for therapeutic soaking
Calcium 7 mg/L
May support bone density and joint health
Magnesium 0 mg/L
Known for muscle relaxation and stress relief
Sodium 190 mg/L
Supports circulation and skin hydration
Sulfate 112 mg/L
Traditionally used for skin conditions and inflammation
Chloride 151 mg/L
Natural antiseptic with skin health benefits
Iron 25 µg/L
Iron-rich springs may support circulation
Where to Stay

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Temperature
162°F
Warm Hot Boiling
Water Temp 162°F (72°C)
Avg Air Temp 60°F
Above Ambient +102°F
Great soaking conditions September
Access
Road Access Short Walk
Nearest Road Dixie Valley Road
Distance to Road 0.1 mi

Hike 1 waterfall near Dixie Hot Springs

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

Frequently Asked Questions
What is the water temperature at Dixie Hot Springs?
Dixie Hot Springs has a water temperature of 162°F (72°C). This is considered a hot spring, well above body temperature.
Where is Dixie Hot Springs located?
Dixie Hot Springs is located in Pershing County, Nevada at 3,418 feet elevation, near Lovelock. Coordinates: 39.7970°N, 118.0670°W.
How do I get to Dixie Hot Springs?
Dixie Hot Springs has Short Walk road access, with the nearest road being Dixie Valley Road (0.1 mi from the road).
What minerals are in the water at Dixie Hot Springs?
Water chemistry analysis shows the presence of pH, Total Dissolved Solids, Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Sulfate, Chloride, Iron. The pH is 8.5 (slightly alkaline). Total dissolved solids measure 648 mg/L.
Is it safe to soak at Dixie Hot Springs?
No, not at the source. The water at Dixie Hot Springs reaches 162°F, which can cause severe burns within seconds. Look for cooled side pools or downstream stretches, and test with a hand before anything else.