Spencer Hot Springs

Eureka County, Nevada · Near Eureka
39.3280°N, 116.8580°W · 5,660 ft
162°F 38°F air · Good soaking weather 5,660 ft Open Roadside Bureau of Land Management
Very Hot Source, Use Extreme Caution

At 162°F, the source water at Spencer 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.

Spencer Hot Springs sits on Mount Lewis Field Office land, BLM and open, in Eureka County about fifty miles from Eureka. The source water is scalding, far too hot to touch. The record says nothing about cooler pools.

Location

Under two hundred feet off a road that the record does not name. Mid-elevation basin. Snow comes most winters, close to three feet of it, with around nine inches of yearly moisture. There is a photograph on file.

Listed best months are December through February. Scalding source: test before any contact and keep a wide margin. The 1973 sample showed neutral water with moderate dissolved solids and measurable iron. That sample is fifty years old. Fee and campground are blank. Nothing newer on chemistry exists in the record.

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 Spencer Hot Springs

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

Setting
Gentle slope
The ground tilts gently up to the southeast.
Highest ground nearby
46 ft above the spring
Within a quarter mile, to the southeast
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
101 milliwatts per square meter of heat flow

That's about 1½ times the US average of 65. It's higher than at 49% 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
28°
Jan
31°
Feb
39°
Mar
48°
Apr
57°
May
71°
Jun
79°
Jul
77°
Aug
67°
Sep
54°
Oct
39°
Nov
27°
Dec
Annual Precip: 9.0 in Annual Snow: 32.4 in
Best Time to Visit
December Air 27°F · Water 162°F · +135° contrast
January Air 28°F · Water 162°F · +134° contrast
February Air 31°F · Water 162°F · +131° contrast
December offers 52°F more contrast than July
Current Conditions
38°F
SSW 25.0 mph 40% Good soaking weather
Tuesday 81° Low 45° Partly Sunny
Spring is +81° warmer
Wednesday 80° Low 46° Sunny
Spring is +82° warmer
Thursday 78° Low 47° Sunny
Spring is +84° warmer
Friday 78° Low 43° Sunny
Spring is +84° warmer
Saturday 81° Low 45° Sunny 1% precip
Spring is +81° warmer
Water Chemistry Sampled 1973-09-17

The water at Spencer Hot Springs is slightly alkaline (pH 7.4) with 800 mg/L total dissolved solids.

pH 7.4 Slightly Alkaline
pH influences mineral absorption through skin
Higher mineral concentration for therapeutic soaking
Calcium 51 mg/L
May support bone density and joint health
Magnesium 10 mg/L
Known for muscle relaxation and stress relief
Sodium 198 mg/L
Supports circulation and skin hydration
Sulfate 47 mg/L
Traditionally used for skin conditions and inflammation
Chloride 26 mg/L
Natural antiseptic with skin health benefits
Iron 130 µg/L
Iron-rich springs may support circulation
Where to Stay

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Mile-High Advisory 5,660 ft

Spencer Hot Springs sits at 5,660 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 23% stronger than at sea level, so bring sunscreen and drink more water than you normally would.

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Temperature
162°F
Warm Hot Boiling
Water Temp 162°F (72°C)
Avg Air Temp 52°F
Above Ambient +111°F
Great soaking conditions September
Access
Open
Road Access Roadside
Distance to Road 195 ft
Land
Ownership Federal
Agency Bureau of Land Management
Designation PUB
Unit Mount Lewis Field Office
Manager Bureau of Land Management
Protection 3 - Protected, subject to extractive use

Hike 1 waterfall near Spencer Hot Springs

Looking for more outdoor adventures? Explore waterfall hikes near Spencer Hot Springs, Nevada.

Frequently Asked Questions
What is the water temperature at Spencer Hot Springs?
Spencer Hot Springs has a water temperature of 162°F (72°C). This is considered a hot spring, well above body temperature.
Where is Spencer Hot Springs located?
Spencer Hot Springs is located in Eureka County, Nevada at 5,660 feet elevation, near Eureka. Coordinates: 39.3280°N, 116.8580°W.
How do I get to Spencer Hot Springs?
Spencer Hot Springs has Roadside road access (195 ft from the road).
Is Spencer Hot Springs free to visit?
Spencer Hot Springs has Open access. It is managed by Bureau of Land Management.
What minerals are in the water at Spencer Hot Springs?
Water chemistry analysis shows the presence of pH, Total Dissolved Solids, Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Sulfate, Chloride, Iron. The pH is 7.4 (slightly alkaline). Total dissolved solids measure 800 mg/L.
Is it safe to soak at Spencer Hot Springs?
No, not at the source. The water at Spencer Hot Springs reaches 162°F, which can cause severe burns within seconds. Look for cooled side pools or downstream stretches, and test with a hand before anything else.