Geyser Ranch Springs

White Pine County, Nevada · Near Ely
38.6450°N, 114.6320°W · 5,950 ft
70°F 5,950 ft Short Walk
Geyser: Not a Soaking Spring

Geyser Ranch Springs is a geyser, not a traditional hot spring. These geothermal features can be extremely dangerous. Boiling water, toxic gases, and unstable ground are common hazards. Do not attempt to soak.

Aerial view of the ground around Geyser Ranch Springs

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

One of several thermal points recorded under the Geyser Ranch Springs name in White Pine County, this one comes out barely warmer than bathwater gone cold, around seventy degrees. Ely is the nearest town and it is a long way off, roughly forty-five miles. Neither a landowner nor an access status appears anywhere in the record. The chemistry on file dates to a spring day in 1985.

Location

The spring sits at a little under six thousand feet in high basin country. From the nearest road it is a short walk, under five hundred feet, though the road itself has no name on file. Winters bring real snow here, close to three feet in an average year, and the annual rainfall is modest. The record carries no photo and no note on what the water does once it surfaces.

Midwinter gets the nod on the record, December through February, which seems odd for a spring this cool until you remember that seventy-degree water feels warm against snow. The vehicle stays behind for the last bit. No campground is listed and the record says nothing about a fee. The owner is unnamed, so sort out permission before you go. The temperature and pH readings are four decades old.

Terrain

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

Setting
Open ground
Flat, open ground all around.
Highest ground nearby
43 ft above the spring
Within a quarter mile, to the west
Cross-section through the spring

A slice through the ground from west to east, about 0.6 miles end to end.

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

Heat Below
113 milliwatts per square meter of heat flow

That's about 1½ times the US average of 65. It's higher than at 64% 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
27°
Jan
30°
Feb
39°
Mar
49°
Apr
58°
May
72°
Jun
77°
Jul
76°
Aug
67°
Sep
53°
Oct
40°
Nov
28°
Dec
Annual Precip: 9.8 in Annual Snow: 34.1 in
Best Time to Visit
January Air 27°F · Water 70°F · +43° contrast
December Air 28°F · Water 70°F · +42° contrast
February Air 30°F · Water 70°F · +40° contrast
January offers 50°F more contrast than July
Water Chemistry Sampled 1985-04-04

The water at Geyser Ranch Springs is slightly alkaline (pH 7.5).

pH 7.5 Slightly Alkaline
pH influences mineral absorption through skin
Calcium 45 mg/L
May support bone density and joint health
Magnesium 18 mg/L
Known for muscle relaxation and stress relief
Sodium 5 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 5,950 ft

Geyser Ranch Springs sits at 5,950 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 24% stronger than at sea level, so bring sunscreen and drink more water than you normally would.

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Temperature
70°F
Warm Hot Boiling
Water Temp 70°F (21°C)
Avg Air Temp 51°F
Above Ambient +19°F
Access
Road Access Short Walk
Distance to Road 473 ft
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the water temperature at Geyser Ranch Springs?
Geyser Ranch Springs has a water temperature of 70°F (21°C). This is a warm thermal spring.
Where is Geyser Ranch Springs located?
Geyser Ranch Springs is located in White Pine County, Nevada at 5,950 feet elevation, near Ely. Coordinates: 38.6450°N, 114.6320°W.
How do I get to Geyser Ranch Springs?
Geyser Ranch Springs has Short Walk road access (473 ft from the road).
What minerals are in the water at Geyser Ranch Springs?
Water chemistry analysis shows the presence of pH, Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Sulfate, Chloride. The pH is 7.5 (slightly alkaline).
Sources: USGS NWIS