Springs

Douglas County, Nevada · Near Indian Hills
39.0680°N, 119.7860°W · 4,760 ft
90°F 48°F air · Good soaking weather 4,760 ft Short Walk Camping nearby (9.6 mi)

A single word, Springs, is all the USGS gave this thermal point a mile and a half from Indian Hills in Douglas County. The water comes out right at the edge of soaking warmth, about like a lukewarm bath. No landowner is logged, and nothing says whether you may walk onto the ground. Washoe Springs Road passes close by, which makes the ownership question a practical one.

Location

Under four hundred feet on foot from Washoe Springs Road. This is the wetter end of Nevada, where snow can pile up around six feet over a winter and precipitation reaches roughly twenty inches in a year. Who holds the land has never been set down, and it carries no designation.

The cold months rate best on the record, and with this much snow a winter visit likely means snow on the ground near the road. The nearest camping listed is Zephyr Cove RV & Campground, under ten miles off. Access class is a short walk. Ownership and permission are blank, so find out who controls the ground before you go. No chemistry or fee is on record.

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 Springs.

Aerial view of the ground around Springs LiDAR bare-earth view of the same ground around Springs
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
Hillside
The spring sits on a steep slope that climbs to the west.
Highest ground nearby
328 ft above the spring
Within a quarter mile, to the west
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
115 milliwatts per square meter of heat flow

That's about twice the US average of 65. It's higher than at 67% 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
35°
Jan
36°
Feb
40°
Mar
47°
Apr
55°
May
67°
Jun
75°
Jul
74°
Aug
67°
Sep
55°
Oct
42°
Nov
33°
Dec
Annual Precip: 19.7 in Annual Snow: 70.8 in
Best Time to Visit
December Air 33°F · Water 90°F · +57° contrast
January Air 35°F · Water 90°F · +55° contrast
February Air 36°F · Water 90°F · +54° contrast
December offers 42°F more contrast than July
Current Conditions
48°F
N 0.0 mph 43% Good soaking weather
Tuesday 82° Low 47° Sunny
Spring is +8° warmer
Wednesday 77° Low 47° Sunny 1% precip
Spring is +13° warmer
Thursday 75° Low 46° Sunny
Spring is +15° warmer
Friday 78° Low 46° Sunny
Spring is +12° warmer
Saturday 81° Low 49° Sunny
Spring is +9° warmer
Where to Stay

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Nearby Camping
Zephyr Cove Rv & Campground 9.6 mi away

Overview Lake Tahoe is one of the most stunning destinations on the planet, making it a top choice for outdoor enthusiasts who enjoy RV cruising and camping. Zephyr Cove Resort's award-winning RV Park & Campground provides the perfect balance of modern amenities and the peaceful charm of a beautiful wooded setting. A major advantage of staying at Zephyr Cove Resort's RV Park & Campground is its prime location on the southeast shore of Lake Tahoe, just a short stroll from the Zephyr Cove Resta...

Reservable Yes
Reserve on Recreation.gov →
Temperature
90°F
Warm Hot Boiling
Water Temp 90°F (32°C)
Avg Air Temp 52°F
Above Ambient +38°F
Mild soaking conditions September
Access
Road Access Short Walk
Nearest Road Washoe Springs Road
Distance to Road 374 ft
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the water temperature at Springs?
Springs has a water temperature of 90°F (32°C). This is a warm thermal spring.
Where is Springs located?
Springs is located in Douglas County, Nevada at 4,760 feet elevation, near Indian Hills. Coordinates: 39.0680°N, 119.7860°W.
How do I get to Springs?
Springs has Short Walk road access, with the nearest road being Washoe Springs Road (374 ft from the road).
Can I camp near Springs?
Yes, Zephyr Cove Rv & Campground is located nearby (9.6 miles away).
Sources: USGS NWIS