Fish Spring

Inyo County, Nevada · Near Dixon Lane-Meadow Creek
37.9970°N, 118.0390°W · 4,880 ft
75°F 4,880 ft Open Hike Bureau of Land Management
Aerial view of the ground around Fish Spring LiDAR bare-earth view of the same ground around Fish 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.

Fish Spring is tepid water on BLM ground managed from the Tonopah Field Office, and it takes a walk to reach. The nearest community on file is Dixon Lane-Meadow Creek. Public access is open. The water is only mildly warm, and heavily mineralized: dissolved solids in the 2021 sample ran very high.

Location

About a mile and a third on foot from the Grand Army of the Republic Highway, the nearest road. Elevation a bit under five thousand feet. Dry country, six inches of yearly precipitation, and snowfall is around a foot. Open public land.

December through February per the record. This one is a hike, so plan for the return. Warm only, nothing that burns. Alkaline, heavily mineralized water, sampled recently. No campground on file. BLM land, open.

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 Fish Spring.

Setting
Gentle slope
The ground tilts gently up to the west.
Highest ground nearby
96 ft above the spring
Within a quarter mile, to the west
Cross-section through the spring

A slice through the ground from southwest to northeast, about 0.6 miles end to end.

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

Heat Below
83 milliwatts per square meter of heat flow

That's about 1½ times the US average of 65. It's higher than at 20% 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
34°
Jan
38°
Feb
46°
Mar
55°
Apr
62°
May
75°
Jun
81°
Jul
80°
Aug
71°
Sep
57°
Oct
44°
Nov
33°
Dec
Annual Precip: 5.5 in Annual Snow: 13.3 in
Best Time to Visit
December Air 33°F · Water 75°F · +42° contrast
January Air 34°F · Water 75°F · +41° contrast
February Air 38°F · Water 75°F · +37° contrast
December offers 48°F more contrast than July
Current Conditions
SE 7.2 mph
Tuesday 82° Low 50° Sunny
Wednesday 80° Low 50° Sunny
Thursday 79° Low 49° Sunny
Friday 81° Low 49° Sunny
Saturday 83° Low 50° Sunny 1% precip
Water Chemistry Sampled 2021-09-23

The water at Fish Spring is slightly alkaline (pH 8.4) with 4388 mg/L total dissolved solids. It is notably rich in magnesium (known for muscle relaxation and stress relief), sodium (supports circulation and skin hydration), and sulfate (traditionally used for skin conditions and inflammation).

pH 8.4 Slightly Alkaline
pH influences mineral absorption through skin
Higher mineral concentration for therapeutic soaking
Calcium 54 mg/L
May support bone density and joint health
Magnesium 58 mg/L
Known for muscle relaxation and stress relief
Sodium 1,320 mg/L
Supports circulation and skin hydration
Sulfate 593 mg/L
Traditionally used for skin conditions and inflammation
Chloride 1,550 mg/L
Natural antiseptic with skin health benefits
Temperature
75°F
Warm Hot Boiling
Water Temp 75°F (24°C)
Avg Air Temp 56°F
Above Ambient +19°F
Mild soaking conditions September
Access
Open
Road Access Hike
Nearest Road Grand Army of the Republic Highway
Distance to Road 1.3 mi
Land
Ownership Federal
Agency Bureau of Land Management
Designation PUB
Unit Tonopah Field Office
Manager Bureau of Land Management
Protection 3 - Protected, subject to extractive use
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the water temperature at Fish Spring?
Fish Spring has a water temperature of 75°F (24°C). This is a warm thermal spring.
Where is Fish Spring located?
Fish Spring is located in Inyo County, Nevada at 4,880 feet elevation, near Dixon Lane-Meadow Creek. Coordinates: 37.9970°N, 118.0390°W.
How do I get to Fish Spring?
Fish Spring has Hike road access, with the nearest road being Grand Army of the Republic Highway (1.3 mi from the road).
Is Fish Spring free to visit?
Fish Spring has Open access. It is managed by Bureau of Land Management.
What minerals are in the water at Fish Spring?
Water chemistry analysis shows the presence of pH, Total Dissolved Solids, Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Sulfate, Chloride. The pH is 8.4 (slightly alkaline). Total dissolved solids measure 4,388 mg/L.
Sources: USGS NWIS