Moana Springs

Washoe County, Nevada · Near Reno
39.4840°N, 119.8040°W · 4,510 ft
199°F 53°F air · Good soaking weather 4,510 ft Roadside Camping nearby (12.9 mi)
Very Hot Source, Use Extreme Caution

At 199°F, the source water at Moana 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.

Moana Springs is a scalding thermal source inside the Reno area, five miles from Reno in Washoe County, with the record placing it essentially on Manzanita Lane. The water comes out near boiling. This is a geothermal source in a city, and nothing in the record describes a place to soak. No access status has been recorded.

Location

The spring is roadside, at the edge of Manzanita Lane. Reno is at mid elevation with a cool year-round average. More than three feet of snow most winters. Sixteen inches of precipitation. Nobody is listed as owner, and the land designation is empty too. A 1978 sample put the water slightly on the alkaline side, with iron present.

Near-boiling water will burn skin in an instant. Do not touch the source. Winter, December into February, is the season the record gives. Mount Rose is the closest campground on file, around thirteen miles out, for anyone who wants to stay over. The water chemistry is from 1978 and no later sample is 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 Moana Springs.

Aerial view of the ground around Moana Springs LiDAR bare-earth view of the same ground around Moana 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
Open ground
Flat, open ground all around.
Highest ground nearby
12 ft above the spring
Within a quarter mile, to the northwest
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
150 milliwatts per square meter of heat flow

That's about 2½ times the US average of 65. It's higher than at 93% 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
36°
Jan
37°
Feb
42°
Mar
50°
Apr
58°
May
69°
Jun
77°
Jul
76°
Aug
68°
Sep
56°
Oct
43°
Nov
34°
Dec
Annual Precip: 15.9 in Annual Snow: 38.8 in
Best Time to Visit
December Air 34°F · Water 199°F · +165° contrast
January Air 36°F · Water 199°F · +164° contrast
February Air 37°F · Water 199°F · +162° contrast
December offers 43°F more contrast than July
Current Conditions
53°F
SE 0.0 mph 41% Good soaking weather
Today 84° Low 49° Sunny
Spring is +115° warmer
Wednesday 79° Low 48° Sunny 2% precip
Spring is +120° warmer
Thursday 77° Low 49° Sunny
Spring is +122° warmer
Friday 80° Low 52° Sunny
Spring is +119° warmer
Saturday 83° Low 54° Sunny
Spring is +116° warmer
Water Chemistry Sampled 1978-01-01

The water at Moana Springs is slightly alkaline (pH 7.7).

pH 7.7 Slightly Alkaline
pH influences mineral absorption through skin
Calcium 7 mg/L
May support bone density and joint health
Magnesium 1 mg/L
Known for muscle relaxation and stress relief
Sodium 155 mg/L
Supports circulation and skin hydration
Sulfate 65 mg/L
Traditionally used for skin conditions and inflammation
Chloride 20 mg/L
Natural antiseptic with skin health benefits
Iron 30 µg/L
Iron-rich springs may support circulation
Where to Stay

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Nearby Camping
Mount Rose (Nv) 12.9 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
199°F
Warm Hot Boiling
Water Temp 199°F (93°C)
Avg Air Temp 54°F
Above Ambient +145°F
Great soaking conditions September
Access
Road Access Roadside
Nearest Road Manzanita Lane
Distance to Road 1 ft
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the water temperature at Moana Springs?
Moana Springs has a water temperature of 199°F (93°C). This is considered a hot spring, well above body temperature.
Where is Moana Springs located?
Moana Springs is located in Washoe County, Nevada at 4,510 feet elevation, near Reno. Coordinates: 39.4840°N, 119.8040°W.
How do I get to Moana Springs?
Moana Springs has Roadside road access, with the nearest road being Manzanita Lane (1 ft from the road).
Can I camp near Moana Springs?
Yes, Mount Rose (Nv) is located nearby (12.9 miles away).
What minerals are in the water at Moana Springs?
Water chemistry analysis shows the presence of pH, Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Sulfate, Chloride, Iron. The pH is 7.7 (slightly alkaline).
Is it safe to soak at Moana Springs?
No, not at the source. The water at Moana Springs reaches 199°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