Walleys Hot Springs

Douglas County, Nevada · Near Minden
38.9810°N, 119.8330°W · 4,690 ft
160°F 48°F air · Good soaking weather 4,690 ft Roadside Camping nearby (6.3 mi)
Very Hot Source, Use Extreme Caution

At 160°F, the source water at Walleys 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.

Walleys Hot Springs lies in Douglas County under four miles from Minden. Source water is scalding, far above soaking temperature. No landowner is named, and the access question is blank, so check before counting on it. A USGS sample from 1978 showed strongly alkaline water with iron. Heavy snow country: close to seven feet in a typical winter.

Location

Sixty-some feet off the road and you are there. Whatever that road is called, nobody wrote it down. Elevation is middling. Snow does the talking, around seven feet a winter, and the year comes in wet at about twenty-two inches. Zephyr Cove RV & Campground, six miles away, is the one place to camp that shows up. Owner and land unit are both blank.

December through February are rated best even with the snow. Scalding at the source, and nothing on file says what, if anything, has been done to cool it for use. Access is not on record, so find out before you arrive. Camping at Zephyr Cove, six miles out. No fee on file.

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 Walleys Hot Springs.

Aerial view of the ground around Walleys Hot Springs LiDAR bare-earth view of the same ground around Walleys Hot 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
614 ft above the spring
Within a quarter mile, to the west
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
100 milliwatts per square meter of heat flow

That's about 1½ times the US average of 65. It's higher than at 46% 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
36°
Jan
36°
Feb
40°
Mar
47°
Apr
55°
May
67°
Jun
74°
Jul
73°
Aug
67°
Sep
55°
Oct
43°
Nov
34°
Dec
Annual Precip: 22.0 in Annual Snow: 82.3 in
Best Time to Visit
December Air 34°F · Water 160°F · +126° contrast
January Air 36°F · Water 160°F · +124° contrast
February Air 36°F · Water 160°F · +124° contrast
December offers 40°F more contrast than July
Current Conditions
48°F
N 0.0 mph 43% Good soaking weather
Tuesday 83° Low 44° Sunny
Spring is +77° warmer
Wednesday 78° Low 43° Sunny
Spring is +82° warmer
Thursday 77° Low 42° Sunny
Spring is +83° warmer
Friday 80° Low 43° Sunny
Spring is +80° warmer
Saturday 83° Low 45° Sunny
Spring is +77° warmer
Water Chemistry Sampled 1978-01-01

The water at Walleys Hot Springs is alkaline (pH 9.2).

pH 9.2 Alkaline
pH influences mineral absorption through skin
Calcium 9 mg/L
May support bone density and joint health
Magnesium 0 mg/L
Known for muscle relaxation and stress relief
Sodium 130 mg/L
Supports circulation and skin hydration
Sulfate 90 mg/L
Traditionally used for skin conditions and inflammation
Chloride 38 mg/L
Natural antiseptic with skin health benefits
Iron 30 µg/L
Iron-rich springs may support circulation
Where to Stay

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Nearby Camping
Zephyr Cove Rv & Campground 6.3 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
160°F
Warm Hot Boiling
Water Temp 160°F (71°C)
Avg Air Temp 52°F
Above Ambient +108°F
Great soaking conditions September
Access
Road Access Roadside
Distance to Road 66 ft
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the water temperature at Walleys Hot Springs?
Walleys Hot Springs has a water temperature of 160°F (71°C). This is considered a hot spring, well above body temperature.
Where is Walleys Hot Springs located?
Walleys Hot Springs is located in Douglas County, Nevada at 4,690 feet elevation, near Minden. Coordinates: 38.9810°N, 119.8330°W.
How do I get to Walleys Hot Springs?
Walleys Hot Springs has Roadside road access (66 ft from the road).
Can I camp near Walleys Hot Springs?
Yes, Zephyr Cove Rv & Campground is located nearby (6.3 miles away).
What minerals are in the water at Walleys Hot Springs?
Water chemistry analysis shows the presence of pH, Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Sulfate, Chloride, Iron. The pH is 9.2 (alkaline).
Is it safe to soak at Walleys Hot Springs?
No, not at the source. The water at Walleys Hot Springs reaches 160°F, which can cause severe burns within seconds. Look for cooled side pools or downstream stretches, and test with a hand before anything else.
Sources: USGS NWIS