Huffaker Springs

Washoe County, Nevada · Near Sparks
39.4570°N, 119.7220°W · 4,440 ft
81°F 46°F air · Good soaking weather 4,440 ft Roadside Camping nearby (13.7 mi)

Eight miles from Sparks, beside Rio Wrangler Parkway in Washoe County, Huffaker Springs comes up tepid, low eighties, warm to the hand and no more than that. The USGS keeps it on its list and there is a photograph in the record. The record says nothing about ownership or if the public can get to the water.

Location

This is about as roadside as it gets, a few feet off the parkway, at around forty-four hundred feet. Winters bring well over a yard of snow. The year sees about sixteen inches of precipitation. Mount Rose campground is the nearest listed camping, around fourteen miles away.

December through February are marked best, though an eighty-degree spring in a snowy winter will feel lukewarm at most. There is no fee or access status on file. Camp at Mount Rose if you are making a trip of it. No chemistry has been recorded.

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 Huffaker Springs.

Aerial view of the ground around Huffaker Springs LiDAR bare-earth view of the same ground around Huffaker 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
Gentle slope
The ground tilts gently up to the east.
Highest ground nearby
94 ft above the spring
Within a quarter mile, to the east
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
112 milliwatts per square meter of heat flow

That's about 1½ times the US average of 65. It's higher than at 63% 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
35°
Jan
37°
Feb
42°
Mar
50°
Apr
59°
May
70°
Jun
78°
Jul
77°
Aug
69°
Sep
57°
Oct
44°
Nov
34°
Dec
Annual Precip: 16.3 in Annual Snow: 43.3 in
Best Time to Visit
December Air 34°F · Water 81°F · +47° contrast
January Air 35°F · Water 81°F · +46° contrast
February Air 37°F · Water 81°F · +44° contrast
December offers 44°F more contrast than July
Current Conditions
46°F
Clear N 0.0 mph 53% Good soaking weather
Tuesday 84° Low 46° Sunny
Wednesday 79° Low 46° Sunny 2% precip
Spring is +2° warmer
Thursday 77° Low 45° Sunny
Spring is +4° warmer
Friday 80° Low 46° Sunny
Spring is +1° warmer
Saturday 83° Low 49° Sunny
Where to Stay

Some links are affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Nearby Camping
Mount Rose (Nv) 13.7 mi away

Overview Mount Rose Campground is conveniently located between Reno and Lake Tahoe just off scenic Mount Rose Highway. Visitors love the campground for its proximity to excellent hiking trails and recreational opportunities at Lake Tahoe.Recreation Hiking is the most popular pastime at Mount Rose. Several trails, including the Tahoe Meadows, Tahoe Rim, Mount Rose Wilderness and Mount Rose Summit Trails, begin very close to the campground.Facilities Mount Rose contains single and double-family...

Reservable Yes
Reserve on Recreation.gov →
Temperature
81°F
Warm Hot Boiling
Water Temp 81°F (27°C)
Avg Air Temp 54°F
Above Ambient +27°F
Mild soaking conditions September
Access
Road Access Roadside
Nearest Road Rio Wrangler Parkway
Distance to Road 8 ft
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the water temperature at Huffaker Springs?
Huffaker Springs has a water temperature of 81°F (27°C). This is a warm thermal spring.
Where is Huffaker Springs located?
Huffaker Springs is located in Washoe County, Nevada at 4,440 feet elevation, near Sparks. Coordinates: 39.4570°N, 119.7220°W.
How do I get to Huffaker Springs?
Huffaker Springs has Roadside road access, with the nearest road being Rio Wrangler Parkway (8 ft from the road).
Can I camp near Huffaker Springs?
Yes, Mount Rose (Nv) is located nearby (13.7 miles away).
Sources: USGS NWIS