Monte Neva Hot Springs

White Pine County, Nevada · Near McGill
39.6650°N, 114.8070°W · 6,017 ft
176°F 37°F air · Good soaking weather 6,017 ft Short Walk Camping nearby (14.2 mi)
Very Hot Source, Use Extreme Caution

At 176°F, the source water at Monte Neva 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.

Aerial view of the ground around Monte Neva Hot Springs

The orange dot marks the spring, in a frame about three quarters of a mile wide.

Monte Neva Hot Springs is a scalding source in White Pine County, about eighteen miles from McGill, sitting at six thousand feet. Water this hot cannot be entered at the source. Nothing on file identifies an owner, and nobody has put public access on record either way. It is a USGS thermal site with a 1992 water sample attached.

Location

A fifth-mile walk from the road, which the record leaves unnamed. High basin country, cold through the year, with a snowy winter of three feet or more and eleven inches of precipitation. No land owner is on file, and no management unit or designation either, so who you would ask about the place is itself unknown.

Scalding water. Treat the source as something to look at from a distance, and assume any outflow is hot until you have tested it with care. Best months on file: December, January, February. That means snow on a short walk in. East Creek Campground is around fourteen miles away. Access is not on record; ask before you go. The pH sample is from 1992.

Terrain

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

Setting
Open ground
Flat, open ground all around.
Highest ground nearby
21 ft above the spring
Within a quarter mile, to the north
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
92 milliwatts per square meter of heat flow

That's about 1½ times the US average of 65. It's higher than at 34% 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
26°
Jan
28°
Feb
37°
Mar
46°
Apr
55°
May
70°
Jun
78°
Jul
76°
Aug
66°
Sep
52°
Oct
39°
Nov
27°
Dec
Annual Precip: 10.7 in Annual Snow: 38.9 in
Best Time to Visit
January Air 26°F · Water 176°F · +151° contrast
December Air 27°F · Water 176°F · +149° contrast
February Air 28°F · Water 176°F · +148° contrast
January offers 53°F more contrast than July
Current Conditions
37°F
Clear S 29.0 mph 48% Good soaking weather
Tuesday 79° Low 45° Patchy Blowing Dust
Spring is +97° warmer
Wednesday 78° Low 52° Patchy Blowing Dust 2% precip
Spring is +98° warmer
Thursday 77° Low 52° Patchy Blowing Dust 1% precip
Spring is +99° warmer
Friday 76° Low 46° Sunny
Spring is +100° warmer
Saturday 78° Low 45° Sunny 3% precip
Spring is +98° warmer
Water Chemistry Sampled 1992-05-28

The water at Monte Neva Hot Springs is slightly acidic (pH 6.6).

pH 6.6 Slightly Acidic
pH influences mineral absorption through skin
Calcium 66 mg/L
May support bone density and joint health
Magnesium 20 mg/L
Known for muscle relaxation and stress relief
Sodium 17 mg/L
Supports circulation and skin hydration
Sulfate 25 mg/L
Traditionally used for skin conditions and inflammation
Chloride 3 mg/L
Natural antiseptic with skin health benefits
Nearby Camping
Nearby Camping
East Creek Campground 14.2 mi away

Overview Located high on the slopes of the Schell Creek Range in the Duck Creek Basin, sitting in the middle of an alder, pinyon and juniper forest, East Creek Campground offers a wide range of recreation opportunities to the forest visitor. Hiking, mountain biking and off-road vehicle riding are just some of the popular activities enjoyed by visitors to the area. Elevation is 7,400 feet, located approximately 20 miles from Ely, Nevada.   Recreation The Ranger Trail can be accessed from thi...

Reservable Yes
Reserve on Recreation.gov →
Mile-High Advisory 6,017 ft

Monte Neva Hot Springs sits at 6,017 feet above sea level, way above the mile-high mark. You may not feel the altitude strongly, but hot water still dehydrates you faster at elevation. UV is about 24% stronger than at sea level, so bring sunscreen and drink more water than you normally would.

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Temperature
176°F
Warm Hot Boiling
Water Temp 176°F (80°C)
Avg Air Temp 50°F
Above Ambient +126°F
Great soaking conditions September
Access
Road Access Short Walk
Distance to Road 0.2 mi
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the water temperature at Monte Neva Hot Springs?
Monte Neva Hot Springs has a water temperature of 176°F (80°C). This is considered a hot spring, well above body temperature.
Where is Monte Neva Hot Springs located?
Monte Neva Hot Springs is located in White Pine County, Nevada at 6,017 feet elevation, near McGill. Coordinates: 39.6650°N, 114.8070°W.
How do I get to Monte Neva Hot Springs?
Monte Neva Hot Springs has Short Walk road access (0.2 mi from the road).
Can I camp near Monte Neva Hot Springs?
Yes, East Creek Campground is located nearby (14.2 miles away).
What minerals are in the water at Monte Neva 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 Monte Neva Hot Springs?
No, not at the source. The water at Monte Neva Hot Springs reaches 176°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