Indian Springs

Nye County, Nevada · Near Pahrump
36.5650°N, 115.6710°W · 3,183 ft
78°F 68°F air · Good soaking weather 3,183 ft Roadside Camping nearby (17.7 mi)

Indian Springs is a warm roadside spring, Nye County, thirty miles out from Pahrump. Warm means below soaking temperature here, and a 1994 sample showed low dissolved solids. Owner and access: both blank. Being roadside makes it easy to reach for a desert spring this far from town. A campground is listed at McWilliams, a long drive off.

Location

A hundred-odd feet off the road, low desert at modest elevation, mild year-round average, dry, hardly any snow. The 1994 sample tested near neutral with iron present, which fits with the low dissolved solids. The land unit is blank and no photo is attached. The road itself goes without a name in the record.

Winter is the listed time. Nothing on access is recorded; watch for signs. The water is warm enough to be comfortable and nowhere near a burn. Camp at McWilliams, about 18 miles off. No fee listed. The chemistry is from the mid 1990s.

Terrain

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

Aerial view of the ground around Indian Springs

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 south.
Highest ground nearby
217 ft above the spring
Within a quarter mile, to the south
Cross-section through the spring

A slice through the ground from south to north, about 0.6 miles end to end.

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

Heat Below
117 milliwatts per square meter of heat flow

That's about twice the US average of 65. It's higher than at 69% 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
45°
Jan
49°
Feb
57°
Mar
65°
Apr
72°
May
85°
Jun
89°
Jul
87°
Aug
80°
Sep
67°
Oct
54°
Nov
43°
Dec
Annual Precip: 9.3 in Annual Snow: 7.5 in
Best Time to Visit
December Air 43°F · Water 78°F · +35° contrast
January Air 45°F · Water 78°F · +33° contrast
February Air 49°F · Water 78°F · +29° contrast
December offers 46°F more contrast than July
Current Conditions
68°F
Clear E 16.9 mph 16% Good soaking weather
Tuesday 94° Low 67° Sunny 2% precip
Wednesday 92° Low 69° Patchy Blowing Dust 1% precip
Thursday 91° Low 68° Sunny
Friday 91° Low 64° Sunny 1% precip
Saturday 93° Low 64° Sunny 1% precip
Water Chemistry Sampled 1994-08-12

The water at Indian Springs is slightly alkaline (pH 7.4) with 210 mg/L total dissolved solids.

pH 7.4 Slightly Alkaline
pH influences mineral absorption through skin
Higher mineral concentration for therapeutic soaking
Calcium 42 mg/L
May support bone density and joint health
Magnesium 23 mg/L
Known for muscle relaxation and stress relief
Sodium 4 mg/L
Supports circulation and skin hydration
Sulfate 14 mg/L
Traditionally used for skin conditions and inflammation
Chloride 3 mg/L
Natural antiseptic with skin health benefits
Iron 55 µg/L
Iron-rich springs may support circulation
Where to Stay

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Nearby Camping
Mcwilliams 17.7 mi away

Overview McWilliams Campground is located in the Spring Mountains National Recreation Area, just 50 miles from downtown Las Vegas. Visitors enjoy hiking, mountain biking and scenic driving in this forested desert oasis.Recreation Hiking and mountain biking are popular activities on the 6.2-mile Bristlecone Trail. Upper and lower trailheads are located just above and below the campground. The 1.3-mile Sawmill Trail begins about four miles below the campground just off State Route 156. Faciliti...

Reservable Yes
Reserve on Recreation.gov →
Temperature
78°F
Warm Hot Boiling
Water Temp 78°F (26°C)
Avg Air Temp 66°F
Above Ambient +12°F
Mild soaking conditions September
Access
Road Access Roadside
Distance to Road 124 ft
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the water temperature at Indian Springs?
Indian Springs has a water temperature of 78°F (26°C). This is a warm thermal spring.
Where is Indian Springs located?
Indian Springs is located in Nye County, Nevada at 3,183 feet elevation, near Pahrump. Coordinates: 36.5650°N, 115.6710°W.
How do I get to Indian Springs?
Indian Springs has Roadside road access (124 ft from the road).
Can I camp near Indian Springs?
Yes, Mcwilliams is located nearby (17.7 miles away).
What minerals are in the water at Indian Springs?
Water chemistry analysis shows the presence of pH, Total Dissolved Solids, Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Sulfate, Chloride, Iron. The pH is 7.4 (slightly alkaline). Total dissolved solids measure 210 mg/L.
Sources: USGS NWIS