Lee Hot Springs, Allen Springs

Churchill County, Nevada · Near Fallon
39.2080°N, 118.7230°W · 4,027 ft
190°F 47°F air · Good soaking weather 4,027 ft Open Short Walk Bureau of Land Management
Very Hot Source, Use Extreme Caution

At 190°F, the source water at Lee Hot Springs, Allen 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 Lee Hot Springs, Allen Springs LiDAR bare-earth view of the same ground around Lee Hot Springs, Allen 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.

Out from Fallon about nineteen miles, on BLM ground managed by the Stillwater Field Office, Lee Hot Springs goes by Allen Springs in some records. The water is scalding. The record lists public access as open, which means you can go without asking anyone's permission, though that says nothing about what you will find when you get there. Churchill County.

Location

Reaching the spring takes a walk of around a fifth of a mile from the road. The land is open BLM desert a bit over four thousand feet up, dry to the point that six inches of rain is a full year, and snow is light. A 1978 sample found the water near neutral with iron among the dissolved minerals.

The source is far too hot to touch. Any soaking would depend on outflow cooling somewhere downstream, and the record does not say whether such a spot exists. the record favors the three coldest months. There is no campground on record close by. The water chemistry is almost fifty years old and may not match current conditions.

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 Lee Hot Springs, Allen Springs.

Setting
Gentle slope
The ground tilts gently up to the southwest.
Highest ground nearby
125 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
90 milliwatts per square meter of heat flow

That's about 1½ times the US average of 65. It's higher than at 30% 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
38°
Jan
42°
Feb
49°
Mar
56°
Apr
63°
May
75°
Jun
83°
Jul
82°
Aug
72°
Sep
57°
Oct
45°
Nov
35°
Dec
Annual Precip: 6.3 in Annual Snow: 11.4 in
Best Time to Visit
December Air 35°F · Water 190°F · +155° contrast
January Air 38°F · Water 190°F · +152° contrast
February Air 42°F · Water 190°F · +149° contrast
December offers 48°F more contrast than July
Current Conditions
47°F
W 0.0 mph 37% Good soaking weather
Tuesday 77° Low 37° Sunny
Spring is +113° warmer
Wednesday 76° Low 38° Sunny
Spring is +114° warmer
Thursday 73° Low 38° Sunny
Spring is +117° warmer
Friday 75° Low 37° Sunny
Spring is +115° warmer
Saturday 78° Low 38° Sunny
Spring is +112° warmer
Water Chemistry Sampled 1978-01-01

The water at Lee Hot Springs, Allen Springs is neutral (pH 7.2). It is notably rich in sodium (supports circulation and skin hydration) and chloride (natural antiseptic with skin health benefits).

pH 7.2 Neutral
pH influences mineral absorption through skin
Calcium 41 mg/L
May support bone density and joint health
Magnesium 1 mg/L
Known for muscle relaxation and stress relief
Sodium 410 mg/L
Supports circulation and skin hydration
Sulfate 26 mg/L
Traditionally used for skin conditions and inflammation
Chloride 425 mg/L
Natural antiseptic with skin health benefits
Iron 360 µg/L
Iron-rich springs may support circulation
Temperature
190°F
Warm Hot Boiling
Water Temp 190°F (88°C)
Avg Air Temp 58°F
Above Ambient +132°F
Great soaking conditions September
Access
Open
Road Access Short Walk
Distance to Road 0.2 mi
Land
Ownership Federal
Agency Bureau of Land Management
Designation PUB
Unit Stillwater Field Office
Manager Bureau of Land Management
Protection 3 - Protected, subject to extractive use

Hike 1 waterfall near Lee Hot Springs, Allen Springs

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

Frequently Asked Questions
What is the water temperature at Lee Hot Springs, Allen Springs?
Lee Hot Springs, Allen Springs has a water temperature of 190°F (88°C). This is considered a hot spring, well above body temperature.
Where is Lee Hot Springs, Allen Springs located?
Lee Hot Springs, Allen Springs is located in Churchill County, Nevada at 4,027 feet elevation, near Fallon. Coordinates: 39.2080°N, 118.7230°W.
How do I get to Lee Hot Springs, Allen Springs?
Lee Hot Springs, Allen Springs has Short Walk road access (0.2 mi from the road).
Is Lee Hot Springs, Allen Springs free to visit?
Lee Hot Springs, Allen Springs has Open access. It is managed by Bureau of Land Management.
What minerals are in the water at Lee Hot Springs, Allen Springs?
Water chemistry analysis shows the presence of pH, Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Sulfate, Chloride, Iron. The pH is 7.2 (neutral).
Is it safe to soak at Lee Hot Springs, Allen Springs?
No, not at the source. The water at Lee Hot Springs, Allen Springs reaches 190°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