Hot Springs

Elko County, Nevada · Near Wells
41.1830°N, 114.9910°W
142°F 39°F air · Good soaking weather Open Short Walk Bureau of Land Management Camping nearby (10.9 mi)
Very Hot Source, Use Extreme Caution

At 142°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.

This Hot Springs sits five miles from Wells, Elko County, and comes out scalding, a hundred and forty-two degrees, on BLM land, Wells Field Office, listed open. Upper Metropolis Road runs about five hundred feet away. A photo and a 1974 analysis, slightly acidic, are on file. Angel Creek, up in the Humboldt-Toiyabe, is the listed campground, eleven miles away.

Location

Upper Metropolis Road is the starting point, with the spring 500 feet or so off over public ground. No elevation is on record for this one. The climate figures put it in cool country with snow measured in feet and precipitation short of twelve inches. The photo is the only visual record of the site.

The months on file are the three coldest ones. The water will burn, so approach the source with care and look for cooler water if you intend to soak at all. Open access, BLM, no fee listed. Angel Creek is the camping option on file, about eleven miles off. The 1974 chemistry is old; the temperature has no date attached.

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 Hot Springs.

Aerial view of the ground around Hot Springs LiDAR bare-earth view of the same ground around Hot 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.

Setting
Hillside
The spring sits on a steep slope that climbs to the east.
Highest ground nearby
275 ft above the spring
Within a quarter mile, to the east
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
122 milliwatts per square meter of heat flow

That's about twice the US average of 65. It's higher than at 73% 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
22°
Jan
25°
Feb
35°
Mar
43°
Apr
53°
May
66°
Jun
76°
Jul
74°
Aug
64°
Sep
49°
Oct
35°
Nov
23°
Dec
Annual Precip: 11.2 in Annual Snow: 35.2 in
Best Time to Visit
January Air 22°F · Water 142°F · +120° contrast
December Air 23°F · Water 142°F · +120° contrast
February Air 25°F · Water 142°F · +117° contrast
January offers 54°F more contrast than July
Current Conditions
39°F
Clear N 0.0 mph 56% Good soaking weather
Tuesday 80° Low 41° Mostly Sunny
Spring is +62° warmer
Wednesday 81° Low 45° Sunny 2% precip
Spring is +61° warmer
Thursday 77° Low 50° Mostly Sunny 3% precip
Spring is +65° warmer
Friday 76° Low 44° Sunny 1% precip
Spring is +66° warmer
Saturday 79° Low 43° Sunny 1% precip
Spring is +63° warmer
Water Chemistry Sampled 1974-01-01

The water at Hot Springs is slightly acidic (pH 6.6). It is notably rich in sodium (supports circulation and skin hydration).

pH 6.6 Slightly Acidic
pH influences mineral absorption through skin
Calcium 48 mg/L
May support bone density and joint health
Magnesium 13 mg/L
Known for muscle relaxation and stress relief
Sodium 370 mg/L
Supports circulation and skin hydration
Sulfate 12 mg/L
Traditionally used for skin conditions and inflammation
Chloride 37 mg/L
Natural antiseptic with skin health benefits
Where to Stay

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Nearby Camping
Angel Creek (Humboldt Toiyabe National Forest, Nv) 10.9 mi away

Overview Angel Creek Campground is located on the grassy foothills of the East Humboldt Mountain Range, just eight miles southwest of Wells, Nev. It sits at an elevation of 6,200 feet. Visitors enjoy making the short drive to Angel Lake for canoeing and fishing.Recreation Beautiful Angel Lake is just four miles from the campground, offering great canoeing and fishing for rainbow and brook trout.Smith Lake Trail begins at the entrance to Angel Lake Campground, with a designated day use parking...

Reservable Yes
Reserve on Recreation.gov →
Temperature
142°F
Warm Hot Boiling
Water Temp 142°F (61°C)
Avg Air Temp 47°F
Above Ambient +95°F
Great soaking conditions September
Access
Open
Road Access Short Walk
Nearest Road Upper Metropolis Road
Distance to Road 0.1 mi
Land
Ownership Federal
Agency Bureau of Land Management
Designation PUB
Unit Wells Field Office
Manager Bureau of Land Management
Protection 3 - Protected, subject to extractive use
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the water temperature at Hot Springs?
Hot Springs has a water temperature of 142°F (61°C). This is considered a hot spring, well above body temperature.
Where is Hot Springs located?
Hot Springs is located in Elko County, Nevada, near Wells. Coordinates: 41.1830°N, 114.9910°W.
How do I get to Hot Springs?
Hot Springs has Short Walk road access, with the nearest road being Upper Metropolis Road (0.1 mi from the road).
Is Hot Springs free to visit?
Hot Springs has Open access. It is managed by Bureau of Land Management.
Can I camp near Hot Springs?
Yes, Angel Creek (Humboldt Toiyabe National Forest, Nv) is located nearby (10.9 miles away).
What minerals are in the water at Hot Springs?
Water chemistry analysis shows the presence of pH, Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Sulfate, Chloride. The pH is 6.6 (slightly acidic).
Is it safe to soak at Hot Springs?
No, not at the source. The water at Hot Springs reaches 142°F, which can cause severe burns within seconds. Look for cooled side pools or downstream stretches, and test with a hand before anything else.
Sources: USGS NWIS