Flag Springs

Lincoln County, Nevada · Near Pioche
38.4230°N, 115.0220°W · 5,280 ft
75°F 34°F air · Good soaking weather 5,280 ft Restricted Roadside SFW

Flag Springs lies within the Wayne E. Kirch Wildlife Management Area, a state conservation area in Lincoln County, Nevada. Pioche is forty-five miles off. Public access is restricted, and the water is tepid, mid seventies. Water chemistry was sampled as recently as 2022.

Location

Roadside; the road itself has no recorded name and runs a bit over a hundred feet away. Around 5,300 feet, two feet of snow most winters, nine inches of precipitation. The land is managed as a wildlife area.

The record marks December through February. Access is restricted, so find out the management area's rules first. The water will not burn you. Slightly alkaline, low dissolved solids. Nothing listed for camping.

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 Flag Springs

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 southeast.
Highest ground nearby
131 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
86 milliwatts per square meter of heat flow

That's about 1½ times the US average of 65. It's higher than at 24% 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
29°
Jan
33°
Feb
43°
Mar
52°
Apr
61°
May
75°
Jun
80°
Jul
79°
Aug
70°
Sep
56°
Oct
43°
Nov
30°
Dec
Annual Precip: 9.0 in Annual Snow: 25.7 in
Best Time to Visit
January Air 29°F · Water 75°F · +46° contrast
December Air 30°F · Water 75°F · +45° contrast
February Air 33°F · Water 75°F · +42° contrast
January offers 51°F more contrast than July
Current Conditions
34°F
Clear S 41.4 mph 55% Good soaking weather
Today 83° Low 58° Sunny 2% precip
Wednesday 81° Low 58° Patchy Blowing Dust 4% precip
Thursday 80° Low 53° Patchy Blowing Dust 2% precip
Friday 80° Low 52° Sunny 1% precip
Saturday 82° Low 53° Sunny 2% precip
Water Chemistry Sampled 2022-03-24

The water at Flag Springs is slightly alkaline (pH 8.2) with 256 mg/L total dissolved solids.

pH 8.2 Slightly Alkaline
pH influences mineral absorption through skin
Higher mineral concentration for therapeutic soaking
Calcium 52 mg/L
May support bone density and joint health
Magnesium 22 mg/L
Known for muscle relaxation and stress relief
Sodium 9 mg/L
Supports circulation and skin hydration
Sulfate 12 mg/L
Traditionally used for skin conditions and inflammation
Chloride 6 mg/L
Natural antiseptic with skin health benefits
Where to Stay

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Mile-High Advisory 5,280 ft

Flag Springs sits at 5,280 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 21% stronger than at sea level, so bring sunscreen and drink more water than you normally would.

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Temperature
75°F
Warm Hot Boiling
Water Temp 75°F (24°C)
Avg Air Temp 54°F
Above Ambient +21°F
Mild soaking conditions September
Access
Restricted
Road Access Roadside
Distance to Road 128 ft
Land
Ownership State
Agency SFW
Designation State Conservation Area
Unit Wayne E. Kirch Wildlife Management Area
Manager SFW
Protection 2 - Permanent protection, some use allowed
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the water temperature at Flag Springs?
Flag Springs has a water temperature of 75°F (24°C). This is a warm thermal spring.
Where is Flag Springs located?
Flag Springs is located in Lincoln County, Nevada at 5,280 feet elevation, near Pioche. Coordinates: 38.4230°N, 115.0220°W.
How do I get to Flag Springs?
Flag Springs has Roadside road access (128 ft from the road).
Is Flag Springs free to visit?
Flag Springs has Restricted access. It is managed by SFW.
What minerals are in the water at Flag Springs?
Water chemistry analysis shows the presence of pH, Total Dissolved Solids, Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Sulfate, Chloride. The pH is 8.2 (slightly alkaline). Total dissolved solids measure 256 mg/L.
Sources: USGS NWIS