Saulsbury Warm Spring

Nye County, Nevada · Near Tonopah
38.2550°N, 116.8290°W · 6,523 ft
86°F 48°F air · Good soaking weather 6,523 ft Open Short Walk US Forest Service

Saulsbury Warm Spring is on Toiyabe National Forest land in Nye County, about 25 miles from Tonopah, and open per the record. Warm is accurate, shy of body heat. A 1967 sample showed low dissolved solids with a touch of iron, and the whole thing sits at around 6,500 feet.

Location

A short walk of nearly a mile from the nearest road, which has no name on file. High country under the Forest Service, with some 29 inches of snow in a winter and about eight inches of precipitation, dry apart from that snow. The Toiyabe is the land unit on record; the spring itself goes undescribed.

The record puts the season in winter. Nearly a mile of walking each way. Open, no fee recorded, no campground listed. The chemistry is from 1967; treat it as old news. The temperature is from a USGS site and the date of the reading is not given.

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 Saulsbury Warm Spring.

Aerial view of the ground around Saulsbury Warm Spring LiDAR bare-earth view of the same ground around Saulsbury Warm 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.

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

That's about 1½ times the US average of 65. It's higher than at 59% 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
29°
Jan
31°
Feb
39°
Mar
47°
Apr
55°
May
69°
Jun
75°
Jul
74°
Aug
65°
Sep
52°
Oct
40°
Nov
29°
Dec
Annual Precip: 8.3 in Annual Snow: 28.7 in
Best Time to Visit
January Air 29°F · Water 86°F · +57° contrast
December Air 29°F · Water 86°F · +57° contrast
February Air 31°F · Water 86°F · +55° contrast
January offers 46°F more contrast than July
Current Conditions
48°F
Clear NNW 33.2 mph 23% Good soaking weather
Tuesday 76° Low 48° Mostly Sunny
Spring is +10° warmer
Wednesday 74° Low 49° Patchy Blowing Dust
Spring is +12° warmer
Thursday 73° Low 47° Sunny
Spring is +13° warmer
Friday 74° Low 45° Sunny
Spring is +12° warmer
Saturday 77° Low 47° Sunny
Spring is +9° warmer
Water Chemistry Sampled 1967-07-30

The water at Saulsbury Warm Spring is slightly alkaline (pH 8.1) with 229 mg/L total dissolved solids.

pH 8.1 Slightly Alkaline
pH influences mineral absorption through skin
Higher mineral concentration for therapeutic soaking
Calcium 2 mg/L
May support bone density and joint health
Magnesium 0 mg/L
Known for muscle relaxation and stress relief
Sodium 65 mg/L
Supports circulation and skin hydration
Sulfate 26 mg/L
Traditionally used for skin conditions and inflammation
Chloride 10 mg/L
Natural antiseptic with skin health benefits
Iron 10 µg/L
Iron-rich springs may support circulation
Where to Stay

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Mile-High Advisory 6,523 ft

Saulsbury Warm Spring sits at 6,523 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 26% stronger than at sea level, so bring sunscreen and drink more water than you normally would.

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Temperature
86°F
Warm Hot Boiling
Water Temp 86°F (30°C)
Avg Air Temp 51°F
Above Ambient +36°F
Mild soaking conditions September
Access
Open
Road Access Short Walk
Distance to Road 0.9 mi
Land
Ownership Federal
Agency US Forest Service
Designation National Forest
Unit Toiyabe National Forest
Manager US Forest Service
Protection 3 - Protected, subject to extractive use

Hike 1 waterfall near Saulsbury Warm Spring

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

Frequently Asked Questions
What is the water temperature at Saulsbury Warm Spring?
Saulsbury Warm Spring has a water temperature of 86°F (30°C). This is a warm thermal spring.
Where is Saulsbury Warm Spring located?
Saulsbury Warm Spring is located in Nye County, Nevada at 6,523 feet elevation, near Tonopah. Coordinates: 38.2550°N, 116.8290°W.
How do I get to Saulsbury Warm Spring?
Saulsbury Warm Spring has Short Walk road access (0.9 mi from the road).
Is Saulsbury Warm Spring free to visit?
Saulsbury Warm Spring has Open access. It is managed by US Forest Service.
What minerals are in the water at Saulsbury Warm Spring?
Water chemistry analysis shows the presence of pH, Total Dissolved Solids, Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Sulfate, Chloride, Iron. The pH is 8.1 (slightly alkaline). Total dissolved solids measure 229 mg/L.
Sources: USGS NWIS