Fish Springs

Washoe County, Nevada · Near Cold Springs
40.1030°N, 119.8840°W · 3,985 ft
73°F 44°F air · Good soaking weather 3,985 ft Roadside Camping nearby (20.6 mi)
Aerial view of the ground around Fish Springs LiDAR bare-earth view of the same ground around Fish 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.

In Washoe County, Nevada, twenty-nine miles from Cold Springs, Fish Springs is a barely warm spring with no landowner or access status on record. The temperature is low seventies, warm to the hand and that is about all. USGS has it on its thermal list.

Location

The road, missing a name on file, is close to three hundred feet away. A hair under four thousand feet, with about thirty-three inches of snow over a winter and fourteen inches of precipitation, on the wetter side for Nevada.

Winter months are listed. Drive-up, no walking. Nothing here will burn you. The closest campground on file is Big Cove in Plumas National Forest over the California line, about twenty-one miles away. Who owns the spring and if you can visit are both unknown.

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 Springs.

Setting
Gentle slope
The ground tilts gently up to the northeast.
Highest ground nearby
66 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
115 milliwatts per square meter of heat flow

That's about twice the US average of 65. It's higher than at 66% 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
36°
Jan
38°
Feb
44°
Mar
51°
Apr
60°
May
71°
Jun
79°
Jul
78°
Aug
70°
Sep
56°
Oct
43°
Nov
35°
Dec
Annual Precip: 14.3 in Annual Snow: 33.3 in
Best Time to Visit
December Air 35°F · Water 73°F · +38° contrast
January Air 36°F · Water 73°F · +37° contrast
February Air 38°F · Water 73°F · +35° contrast
December offers 44°F more contrast than July
Current Conditions
44°F
SSE 7.2 mph 50% Good soaking weather
Tuesday 84° Low 50° Sunny
Wednesday 79° Low 52° Sunny 5% precip
Thursday 77° Low 51° Sunny 1% precip
Friday 80° Low 52° Sunny
Saturday 84° Low 54° Sunny
Nearby Camping
Nearby Camping
Big Cove (Plumas National Forest, Ca) 20.6 mi away

Overview Big Cove Campground (5,700 feet) is located near the shores of Frenchman Lake in Northeastern California. Some families have been returning here for more than thirty years. Situated at the interface between the wild Sierra and the high desert, it's a perfect place to serve as hub for a wide range of recreation opportunities. Plumas National Forest has many back roads open for exploration. Take advantage of the beautiful blue waters of Frenchman Lake for boating, fishing and other wat...

Reservable Yes
Reserve on Recreation.gov →
Temperature
73°F
Warm Hot Boiling
Water Temp 73°F (23°C)
Avg Air Temp 55°F
Above Ambient +18°F
Mild soaking conditions September
Access
Road Access Roadside
Distance to Road 277 ft
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the water temperature at Fish Springs?
Fish Springs has a water temperature of 73°F (23°C). This is a warm thermal spring.
Where is Fish Springs located?
Fish Springs is located in Washoe County, Nevada at 3,985 feet elevation, near Cold Springs. Coordinates: 40.1030°N, 119.8840°W.
How do I get to Fish Springs?
Fish Springs has Roadside road access (277 ft from the road).
Can I camp near Fish Springs?
Yes, Big Cove (Plumas National Forest, Ca) is located nearby (20.6 miles away).
Sources: USGS NWIS