Elko Hot Spring

Elko County, Nevada · Near Elko
40.8130°N, 115.7780°W · 5,170 ft
190°F 39°F air · Good soaking weather 5,170 ft Short Walk Camping nearby (18.5 mi)
Very Hot Source, Use Extreme Caution

At 190°F, the source water at Elko Hot Spring 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.

Less than two miles from Elko, Nevada, in Elko County, Elko Hot Spring comes out near boiling. That makes it a hazard first. The record lacks both a landowner and an access status, which matters for a spring this close to town.

Location

Ridge Run is the nearest road; the spring is about four hundred feet from it. Elevation is around 5,200 feet, high enough that winters pile up over forty inches of snow. Precipitation overall is thirteen inches.

Winter months are the record's pick. Short approach on foot. Source water is near boiling: no contact without testing, and keep kids away. Access and ownership are unknown; being close to town does not make it public. Powerhouse Group Picnic Area is the closest site listed under camping, eighteen or so miles out.

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 Elko Hot Spring.

Aerial view of the ground around Elko Hot Spring LiDAR bare-earth view of the same ground around Elko Hot Spring
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
Hillside
The spring sits on a steep slope that climbs to the south.
Highest ground nearby
220 ft above the spring
Within a quarter mile, to the south
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
80 milliwatts per square meter of heat flow

That's close to the US average of 65. It's higher than at 16% 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
26°
Jan
29°
Feb
38°
Mar
46°
Apr
55°
May
69°
Jun
79°
Jul
77°
Aug
66°
Sep
52°
Oct
38°
Nov
25°
Dec
Annual Precip: 13.2 in Annual Snow: 43.0 in
Best Time to Visit
December Air 25°F · Water 190°F · +165° contrast
January Air 26°F · Water 190°F · +164° contrast
February Air 29°F · Water 190°F · +162° contrast
December offers 54°F more contrast than July
Current Conditions
39°F
Clear E 16.6 mph 48% Good soaking weather
Tuesday 80° Low 38° Mostly Sunny
Spring is +110° warmer
Wednesday 82° Low 41° Sunny 1% precip
Spring is +108° warmer
Thursday 77° Low 46° Sunny
Spring is +113° warmer
Friday 77° Low 39° Sunny
Spring is +113° warmer
Saturday 80° Low 40° Sunny 1% precip
Spring is +110° warmer
Where to Stay

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Nearby Camping
Powerhouse Group Picnic Area 18.5 mi away

Overview Powerhouse Group Picnic Area is set in scenic Lamoille Canyon, next to Lamoille Creek, at an elevation of 6,500 feet. Elko, in northeastern Nevada, is just 25 miles away. Visitors enjoy fishing and exploring local trails.Recreation Fishing for rainbow and brook trout is popular on the creek. Lamoille Canyon contains numerous hiking and horseback riding trails that lead to alpine lakes and scenic vistas. The canyon road itself, Lamoille Canyon Scenic Byway, is popular for scenic drivi...

Reservable Yes
Reserve on Recreation.gov →
Temperature
190°F
Warm Hot Boiling
Water Temp 190°F (88°C)
Avg Air Temp 50°F
Above Ambient +140°F
Great soaking conditions September
Access
Road Access Short Walk
Nearest Road Ridge Run
Distance to Road 390 ft
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the water temperature at Elko Hot Spring?
Elko Hot Spring has a water temperature of 190°F (88°C). This is considered a hot spring, well above body temperature.
Where is Elko Hot Spring located?
Elko Hot Spring is located in Elko County, Nevada at 5,170 feet elevation, near Elko. Coordinates: 40.8130°N, 115.7780°W.
How do I get to Elko Hot Spring?
Elko Hot Spring has Short Walk road access, with the nearest road being Ridge Run (390 ft from the road).
Can I camp near Elko Hot Spring?
Yes, Powerhouse Group Picnic Area is located nearby (18.5 miles away).
Is it safe to soak at Elko Hot Spring?
No, not at the source. The water at Elko Hot Spring reaches 190°F, which can cause severe burns within seconds. Look for cooled side pools or downstream stretches, and test with a hand before anything else.
Sources: USGS NWIS