Golconda Hot Spring (North)

Humboldt County, Nevada · Near Winnemucca
40.9610°N, 117.4940°W · 4,360 ft
165°F 4,360 ft Roadside
Very Hot Source, Use Extreme Caution

At 165°F, the source water at Golconda Hot Spring (North) is hot enough to cause burns. Some hot springs this hot have cooler side pools or downstream areas suitable for soaking. Always test the water temperature before entering.

Two Golconda springs appear in this database, each a dozen miles or so from Winnemucca in Humboldt County. The northern one surfaces hot enough to scald on contact, and a southern one is listed separately. Land owner and access status are blank for both. Hot Springs Road is the named road here. A photo is attached too.

Location

Hot Springs Road runs within a couple hundred feet, so this is roadside. The ground is mid elevation basin, dry through the year with two feet or so of snow across a winter. A 1978 sample tested slightly alkaline, with iron in the water. Nothing about a land unit or a campground is on record.

Winter months are listed as best. The source is scalding. Do not put anything living into it. Ownership and access are not on record, so watch for posted signs. The water chemistry is from the late 1970s and may not describe the water today.

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 Golconda Hot Spring (North).

Aerial view of the ground around Golconda Hot Spring (North) LiDAR bare-earth view of the same ground around Golconda Hot Spring (North)
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.

Setting
Open ground
Flat, open ground all around.
Highest ground nearby
81 ft above the spring
Within a quarter mile, to the southwest
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
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
30°
Jan
35°
Feb
44°
Mar
51°
Apr
60°
May
72°
Jun
82°
Jul
80°
Aug
69°
Sep
55°
Oct
41°
Nov
30°
Dec
Annual Precip: 10.3 in Annual Snow: 23.0 in
Best Time to Visit
January Air 30°F · Water 165°F · +135° contrast
December Air 30°F · Water 165°F · +135° contrast
February Air 35°F · Water 165°F · +130° contrast
January offers 52°F more contrast than July
Current Conditions
Clear SSE 33.0 mph
Tuesday 78° Low 40° Sunny
Spring is +87° warmer
Wednesday 78° Low 45° Sunny 2% precip
Spring is +87° warmer
Thursday 74° Low 47° Sunny 1% precip
Spring is +91° warmer
Friday 75° Low 43° Sunny
Spring is +90° warmer
Saturday 79° Low 44° Sunny
Spring is +86° warmer
Water Chemistry Sampled 1978-01-01

The water at Golconda Hot Spring (North) is slightly alkaline (pH 7.8).

pH 7.8 Slightly Alkaline
pH influences mineral absorption through skin
Calcium 34 mg/L
May support bone density and joint health
Magnesium 7 mg/L
Known for muscle relaxation and stress relief
Sodium 130 mg/L
Supports circulation and skin hydration
Sulfate 48 mg/L
Traditionally used for skin conditions and inflammation
Chloride 21 mg/L
Natural antiseptic with skin health benefits
Iron 220 µg/L
Iron-rich springs may support circulation
Where to Stay

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Temperature
165°F
Warm Hot Boiling
Water Temp 165°F (74°C)
Avg Air Temp 54°F
Above Ambient +111°F
Great soaking conditions September
Access
Road Access Roadside
Nearest Road Hot Springs Road
Distance to Road 159 ft
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the water temperature at Golconda Hot Spring (North)?
Golconda Hot Spring (North) has a water temperature of 165°F (74°C). This is considered a hot spring, well above body temperature.
Where is Golconda Hot Spring (North) located?
Golconda Hot Spring (North) is located in Humboldt County, Nevada at 4,360 feet elevation, near Winnemucca. Coordinates: 40.9610°N, 117.4940°W.
How do I get to Golconda Hot Spring (North)?
Golconda Hot Spring (North) has Roadside road access, with the nearest road being Hot Springs Road (159 ft from the road).
What minerals are in the water at Golconda Hot Spring (North)?
Water chemistry analysis shows the presence of pH, Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Sulfate, Chloride, Iron. The pH is 7.8 (slightly alkaline).
Is it safe to soak at Golconda Hot Spring (North)?
No, not at the source. The water at Golconda Hot Spring (North) reaches 165°F, which can cause severe burns within seconds. Look for cooled side pools or downstream stretches, and test with a hand before anything else.