Hot Springs

Churchill County, Nevada · Near Fallon
39.3160°N, 117.5490°W · 6,060 ft
198°F 38°F air · Good soaking weather 6,060 ft Roadside
Very Hot Source, Use Extreme Caution

At 198°F, the source water at Hot Springs 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.

Aerial view of the ground around Hot Springs

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

This Hot Springs in Churchill County is sixty-six miles from Fallon and near two hundred degrees at the source, which is well into scalding. Roadside, within three hundred feet of an unnamed road. An August 1983 sample came back alkaline with iron among the analytes. Owner and access are unrecorded. No photo.

Location

A bit over six thousand feet, high country, and it shows in the winter: roughly forty-four inches of snow and close to a foot of precipitation. The road is unnamed and the walk from it is a few hundred feet. The source itself goes undescribed, as does any pool, and the average temperature over a year is around fifty.

Water this hot will burn you before you can pull back; keep clear of the source. The record's window is December through February, and at this elevation that means snow, so the road may not be passable. No one is named as owner and permission is therefore unsettled. The record is silent on fees and camping. The 1983 chemistry is 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
13 ft above the spring
Within a quarter mile, to the north
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
101 milliwatts per square meter of heat flow

That's about 1½ times the US average of 65. It's higher than at 49% 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
31°
Feb
38°
Mar
46°
Apr
54°
May
68°
Jun
76°
Jul
75°
Aug
65°
Sep
52°
Oct
39°
Nov
28°
Dec
Annual Precip: 11.3 in Annual Snow: 43.6 in
Best Time to Visit
December Air 28°F · Water 198°F · +170° contrast
January Air 29°F · Water 198°F · +169° contrast
February Air 31°F · Water 198°F · +167° contrast
December offers 48°F more contrast than July
Current Conditions
38°F
SSW 25.0 mph 40% Good soaking weather
Tuesday 79° Low 37° Mostly Sunny
Spring is +119° warmer
Wednesday 79° Low 39° Sunny
Spring is +119° warmer
Thursday 74° Low 39° Sunny
Spring is +124° warmer
Friday 77° Low 36° Sunny
Spring is +121° warmer
Saturday 81° Low 38° Sunny 2% precip
Spring is +117° warmer
Water Chemistry Sampled 1983-08-03

The water at Hot Springs is slightly alkaline (pH 8.3).

pH 8.3 Slightly Alkaline
pH influences mineral absorption through skin
Calcium 6 mg/L
May support bone density and joint health
Magnesium 0 mg/L
Known for muscle relaxation and stress relief
Sodium 150 mg/L
Supports circulation and skin hydration
Sulfate 110 mg/L
Traditionally used for skin conditions and inflammation
Chloride 28 mg/L
Natural antiseptic with skin health benefits
Iron 10 µg/L
Iron-rich springs may support circulation
Mile-High Advisory 6,060 ft

Hot Springs sits at 6,060 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
198°F
Warm Hot Boiling
Water Temp 198°F (92°C)
Avg Air Temp 50°F
Above Ambient +148°F
Great soaking conditions September
Access
Road Access Roadside
Distance to Road 265 ft

Hike 1 waterfall near Hot Springs

Looking for more outdoor adventures? Explore waterfall hikes near Hot Springs, Nevada.

Frequently Asked Questions
What is the water temperature at Hot Springs?
Hot Springs has a water temperature of 198°F (92°C). This is considered a hot spring, well above body temperature.
Where is Hot Springs located?
Hot Springs is located in Churchill County, Nevada at 6,060 feet elevation, near Fallon. Coordinates: 39.3160°N, 117.5490°W.
How do I get to Hot Springs?
Hot Springs has Roadside road access (265 ft from the road).
What minerals are in the water at Hot Springs?
Water chemistry analysis shows the presence of pH, Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Sulfate, Chloride, Iron. The pH is 8.3 (slightly alkaline).
Is it safe to soak at Hot Springs?
No, not at the source. The water at Hot Springs reaches 198°F, which can cause severe burns within seconds. Look for cooled side pools or downstream stretches, and test with a hand before anything else.