Fairbanks Spring, Soda Spring

Nye County, Nevada · Near Pahrump
36.4910°N, 116.3420°W · 2,250 ft
81°F 67°F air · Good soaking weather 2,250 ft Restricted Roadside US Fish and Wildlife Service

The record lists Fairbanks Spring and Soda Spring together, warm springs inside the Ash Meadows refuge in Nye County, Nevada, about twenty-seven miles from Pahrump. Public access is restricted. The US Fish and Wildlife Service runs the refuge. The water is tepid to warm, well short of hot.

Location

IMV Alt Road passes within a dozen feet. Low desert at 2,250 feet, bone dry, four inches of precipitation and snow that barely registers. Refuge land, federal, with access restrictions.

Winter is the recorded season. The refuge restricts access, so check the rules before you visit and expect to stay off the spring itself. Warm water, no scald risk. Chemistry sampled in 1998, near neutral with moderate dissolved solids. No campground on file.

Terrain

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

Aerial view of the ground around Fairbanks Spring, Soda Spring

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

Setting
Gentle slope
The ground tilts gently up to the northeast.
Highest ground nearby
42 ft above the spring
Within a quarter mile, to the northeast
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
100 milliwatts per square meter of heat flow

That's about 1½ times the US average of 65. It's higher than at 47% 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
47°
Jan
51°
Feb
59°
Mar
67°
Apr
74°
May
86°
Jun
91°
Jul
90°
Aug
82°
Sep
68°
Oct
55°
Nov
45°
Dec
Annual Precip: 3.9 in Annual Snow: 0.6 in
Best Time to Visit
December Air 45°F · Water 81°F · +36° contrast
January Air 47°F · Water 81°F · +35° contrast
February Air 51°F · Water 81°F · +30° contrast
December offers 46°F more contrast than July
Current Conditions
67°F
WNW 0.1 mph 22% Good soaking weather
Tuesday 95° Low 64° Sunny
Wednesday 93° Low 66° Sunny
Thursday 92° Low 64° Sunny
Friday 96° Low 61° Sunny
Saturday 98° Low 60° Sunny
Water Chemistry Sampled 1998-09-25

The water at Fairbanks Spring, Soda Spring is neutral (pH 6.9) with 408 mg/L total dissolved solids.

pH 6.9 Neutral
pH influences mineral absorption through skin
Higher mineral concentration for therapeutic soaking
Calcium 49 mg/L
May support bone density and joint health
Magnesium 20 mg/L
Known for muscle relaxation and stress relief
Sodium 71 mg/L
Supports circulation and skin hydration
Sulfate 80 mg/L
Traditionally used for skin conditions and inflammation
Chloride 21 mg/L
Natural antiseptic with skin health benefits
Iron 12 µg/L
Iron-rich springs may support circulation
Where to Stay

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Temperature
81°F
Warm Hot Boiling
Water Temp 81°F (27°C)
Avg Air Temp 68°F
Above Ambient +13°F
Mild soaking conditions September
Access
Restricted
Road Access Roadside
Nearest Road IMV Alt Road
Distance to Road 12 ft
Land
Ownership Federal
Agency US Fish and Wildlife Service
Designation National Wildlife Refuge
Unit Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge
Manager US Fish and Wildlife Service
Protection 1 - Permanent protection, natural state
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the water temperature at Fairbanks Spring, Soda Spring?
Fairbanks Spring, Soda Spring has a water temperature of 81°F (27°C). This is a warm thermal spring.
Where is Fairbanks Spring, Soda Spring located?
Fairbanks Spring, Soda Spring is located in Nye County, Nevada at 2,250 feet elevation, near Pahrump. Coordinates: 36.4910°N, 116.3420°W.
How do I get to Fairbanks Spring, Soda Spring?
Fairbanks Spring, Soda Spring has Roadside road access, with the nearest road being IMV Alt Road (12 ft from the road).
Is Fairbanks Spring, Soda Spring free to visit?
Fairbanks Spring, Soda Spring has Restricted access. It is managed by US Fish and Wildlife Service.
What minerals are in the water at Fairbanks Spring, Soda Spring?
Water chemistry analysis shows the presence of pH, Total Dissolved Solids, Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Sulfate, Chloride, Iron. The pH is 6.9 (neutral). Total dissolved solids measure 408 mg/L.
Sources: USGS NWIS