Doud Springs

Douglas County, Nevada · Near Gardnerville Ranchos
38.7960°N, 119.6500°W · 5,750 ft
70°F 5,750 ft Unknown Roadside DESG Camping nearby (8.0 mi)
Aerial view of the ground around Doud Springs LiDAR bare-earth view of the same ground around Doud 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.

Doud Springs comes up on Washoe Ranches Trust Land in Douglas County, about nine miles from Gardnerville Ranchos. The water is roughly room temperature, so it reads as warm only on a cold day. The ground is tribal; public access, unknown. Snow country, too, which shapes when you can reach it.

Location

Leviathan Mine Road passes close by, around a hundred feet, so this counts as roadside. The ground is upland, high enough that winters bury it. Snowfall averages well over a hundred inches a season and the year is wet by Nevada standards. Average temperatures run cool. Indian Creek Campground across the California line is about eight miles off.

The listed best window is December through February, though with that much snow the road may be a different story. Check plowing before you count on it. Because this is tribal trust land with no access status on file, get permission first. No fee is recorded. The USGS measured the water at a tepid temperature, so do not expect a hot soak.

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 Doud Springs.

Setting
Hillside
The spring sits on a steep slope that climbs to the southeast.
Highest ground nearby
309 ft above the spring
Within a quarter mile, to the southeast
Cross-section through the spring

A slice through the ground from northwest to southeast, about 0.6 miles end to end.

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

Heat Below
111 milliwatts per square meter of heat flow

That's about 1½ times the US average of 65. It's higher than at 62% 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
30°
Jan
31°
Feb
36°
Mar
43°
Apr
51°
May
64°
Jun
71°
Jul
70°
Aug
63°
Sep
51°
Oct
38°
Nov
29°
Dec
Annual Precip: 23.4 in Annual Snow: 103.8 in
Best Time to Visit
December Air 29°F · Water 70°F · +41° contrast
January Air 30°F · Water 70°F · +40° contrast
February Air 31°F · Water 70°F · +39° contrast
December offers 42°F more contrast than July
Current Conditions
N 0.0 mph
Tuesday 76° Low 45° Sunny
Wednesday 71° Low 45° Sunny
Thursday 69° Low 43° Sunny
Spring is +1° warmer
Friday 73° Low 44° Sunny
Saturday 75° Low 47° Sunny
Nearby Camping
Nearby Camping
Indian Creek Campground (Ca) 8.0 mi away

Overview Due to the extensive damage sustained in the 2021 Tamarack Fire, Indian Creek Campground is CLOSED at this time and will remain closed until the area can be made safe for public access and facilities can be rebuilt. Updated Press Release .  Indian Creek Campground is nestled in the eastern foothills of the Sierra Nevada between the California towns of Woodfords and Markleeville. Elevation in the area ranges from 5,600 feet at the reservoir to 6,400 feet in the surrounding foothills....

Reservable Yes
Reserve on Recreation.gov →
Mile-High Advisory 5,750 ft

Doud Springs sits at 5,750 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 23% stronger than at sea level, so bring sunscreen and drink more water than you normally would.

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Temperature
70°F
Warm Hot Boiling
Water Temp 70°F (21°C)
Avg Air Temp 48°F
Above Ambient +22°F
Mild soaking conditions September
Access
Unknown
Road Access Roadside
Nearest Road Leviathan Mine Road
Distance to Road 107 ft
Land
Ownership DESG
Agency DESG
Designation Tribal Land
Unit Washoe Ranches Trust Land
Manager TRIB
Protection 4 - No known protection
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the water temperature at Doud Springs?
Doud Springs has a water temperature of 70°F (21°C). This is a warm thermal spring.
Where is Doud Springs located?
Doud Springs is located in Douglas County, Nevada at 5,750 feet elevation, near Gardnerville Ranchos. Coordinates: 38.7960°N, 119.6500°W.
How do I get to Doud Springs?
Doud Springs has Roadside road access, with the nearest road being Leviathan Mine Road (107 ft from the road).
Is Doud Springs free to visit?
Doud Springs has Unknown access. It is managed by DESG.
Can I camp near Doud Springs?
Yes, Indian Creek Campground (Ca) is located nearby (8.0 miles away).
Sources: USGS NWIS