Nile Spring

Elko County, Nevada · Near Jackpot
41.9290°N, 114.0710°W · 5,141 ft
109°F 39°F air · Good soaking weather 5,141 ft Short Walk Camping nearby (17.1 mi)
Aerial view of the ground around Nile Spring LiDAR bare-earth view of the same ground around Nile Spring
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.

Nile Spring comes up hot in Elko County a little over thirty miles out from Jackpot. It sits at the upper edge of what a person can sit in for long. Ownership is blank on the record, and so is public access, and there is no fee information either.

Location

Three quarters of a mile on foot, give or take, from a road with no name on record. Above five thousand feet, and winter is real here, roughly four feet of snow in a season against fifteen inches of precipitation. Seventeen miles or so away sits Bostetter Campground, the closest camping listed.

Winter months rate highest. That snow total means the walk in could be a slog from December through February, so check conditions before trusting the calendar. The chemistry dates to 1974, a sodium and chloride sample half a century old. No access status was ever recorded, which leaves the land question open until you check it yourself.

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 Nile Spring.

Setting
Hillside
The spring sits on a steep slope that climbs to the south.
Highest ground nearby
81 ft above the spring
Within a quarter mile, to the south
Cross-section through the spring

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

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

Heat Below
125 milliwatts per square meter of heat flow

That's about twice the US average of 65. It's higher than at 76% 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
23°
Jan
27°
Feb
36°
Mar
44°
Apr
54°
May
66°
Jun
77°
Jul
75°
Aug
64°
Sep
49°
Oct
35°
Nov
24°
Dec
Annual Precip: 15.4 in Annual Snow: 49.2 in
Best Time to Visit
January Air 23°F · Water 109°F · +86° contrast
December Air 24°F · Water 109°F · +86° contrast
February Air 27°F · Water 109°F · +82° contrast
January offers 54°F more contrast than July
Current Conditions
39°F
Clear E 16.6 mph 48% Good soaking weather
Today 77° Low 43° Mostly Sunny
Spring is +32° warmer
Wednesday 80° Low 49° Sunny 10% precip
Spring is +29° warmer
Thursday 77° Low 43° Patchy Blowing Dust 9% precip
Spring is +32° warmer
Friday 75° Low 40° Sunny 5% precip
Spring is +34° warmer
Saturday 77° Low 42° Sunny 4% precip
Spring is +32° warmer
Water Chemistry Sampled 1974-01-01

The water at Nile Spring is neutral (pH 7.2).

pH 7.2 Neutral
pH influences mineral absorption through skin
Calcium 40 mg/L
May support bone density and joint health
Magnesium 12 mg/L
Known for muscle relaxation and stress relief
Sodium 10 mg/L
Supports circulation and skin hydration
Sulfate 37 mg/L
Traditionally used for skin conditions and inflammation
Chloride 9 mg/L
Natural antiseptic with skin health benefits
Nearby Camping
Nearby Camping
Bostetter Campground 17.1 mi away

Bostetter Campground is composed of 10 individual units and 1 group unit. It is located in a stand of Lodgepole pine and stretches along Cottonwood Creek with one site tucked up above in some Aspen trees. The campground is pack it in and pack it out. The area is suitable for trailer and tent camping. Anglers can take advantage of a nearby stream. Campground amenities toilets.

Reserve on Recreation.gov →
Temperature
109°F
Warm Hot Boiling
Water Temp 109°F (43°C)
Avg Air Temp 48°F
Above Ambient +61°F
Good soaking conditions September
Access
Road Access Short Walk
Distance to Road 0.7 mi
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the water temperature at Nile Spring?
Nile Spring has a water temperature of 109°F (43°C). This is considered a hot spring, well above body temperature.
Where is Nile Spring located?
Nile Spring is located in Elko County, Nevada at 5,141 feet elevation, near Jackpot. Coordinates: 41.9290°N, 114.0710°W.
How do I get to Nile Spring?
Nile Spring has Short Walk road access (0.7 mi from the road).
Can I camp near Nile Spring?
Yes, Bostetter Campground is located nearby (17.1 miles away).
What minerals are in the water at Nile Spring?
Water chemistry analysis shows the presence of pH, Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Sulfate, Chloride. The pH is 7.2 (neutral).
Sources: USGS NWIS