Panaca Spring

Lincoln County, Nevada · Near Pioche
37.8070°N, 114.3800°W · 4,768 ft
88°F 4,768 ft Open Roadside Bureau of Land Management

Panaca Spring runs warm on BLM land in Lincoln County, about eleven miles from Pioche. Warm means warm here, a little below body temperature, so it reads as cool in cool air. Access is open per the record, and there is a water sample taken in 2005, recent by the standards of the rest of what is on file.

Location

Roadside, three hundred feet off the road in the Caliente Field Office area, at about 4,800 feet. The road isn't named on record. This is dry Lincoln County, eight inches of precipitation and a light snow year, eighteen inches or so. A photograph is on file, so you can see what you're getting before you drive out.

Best months listed are December to February, though water this temperature will feel lukewarm in winter air. Open access, no fee recorded, no campground listed. The 2005 sample showed iron among the minerals along with sodium and sulfate. Easy access from the road, and Pioche is close.

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 Panaca Spring

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 east.
Highest ground nearby
158 ft above the spring
Within a quarter mile, to the east
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
135 milliwatts per square meter of heat flow

That's about twice the US average of 65. It's higher than at 85% 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
32°
Jan
37°
Feb
46°
Mar
55°
Apr
63°
May
77°
Jun
81°
Jul
80°
Aug
71°
Sep
58°
Oct
44°
Nov
32°
Dec
Annual Precip: 8.0 in Annual Snow: 17.7 in
Best Time to Visit
January Air 32°F · Water 88°F · +56° contrast
December Air 32°F · Water 88°F · +56° contrast
February Air 37°F · Water 88°F · +51° contrast
January offers 49°F more contrast than July
Water Chemistry Sampled 2005-11-09

The water at Panaca Spring is slightly alkaline (pH 7.6).

pH 7.6 Slightly Alkaline
pH influences mineral absorption through skin
Calcium 30 mg/L
May support bone density and joint health
Magnesium 10 mg/L
Known for muscle relaxation and stress relief
Sodium 38 mg/L
Supports circulation and skin hydration
Sulfate 29 mg/L
Traditionally used for skin conditions and inflammation
Chloride 17 mg/L
Natural antiseptic with skin health benefits
Iron 7 µg/L
Iron-rich springs may support circulation
Where to Stay

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Temperature
88°F
Warm Hot Boiling
Water Temp 88°F (31°C)
Avg Air Temp 56°F
Above Ambient +32°F
Warm air, warm water September
Access
Open
Road Access Roadside
Distance to Road 301 ft
Land
Ownership Federal
Agency Bureau of Land Management
Designation PUB
Unit Caliente Field Office
Manager Bureau of Land Management
Protection 3 - Protected, subject to extractive use

Hike 1 waterfall near Panaca Spring

Looking for more outdoor adventures? Explore waterfall hikes near Panaca Spring, Nevada.

Frequently Asked Questions
What is the water temperature at Panaca Spring?
Panaca Spring has a water temperature of 88°F (31°C). This is a warm thermal spring.
Where is Panaca Spring located?
Panaca Spring is located in Lincoln County, Nevada at 4,768 feet elevation, near Pioche. Coordinates: 37.8070°N, 114.3800°W.
How do I get to Panaca Spring?
Panaca Spring has Roadside road access (301 ft from the road).
Is Panaca Spring free to visit?
Panaca Spring has Open access. It is managed by Bureau of Land Management.
What minerals are in the water at Panaca Spring?
Water chemistry analysis shows the presence of pH, Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Sulfate, Chloride, Iron. The pH is 7.6 (slightly alkaline).
Sources: USGS NWIS