White Rock Spring

Clark County, Nevada · Near Summerlin South
36.1740°N, 115.4790°W · 4,835 ft
78°F 74°F air · Good soaking weather 4,835 ft Open Short Walk Bureau of Land Management Camping nearby (6.1 mi)

White Rock Spring is a tepid spring on BLM land in Clark County, about nine miles from Summerlin South on the Las Vegas side of the valley. The water measured 78 degrees back in 1985 and runs neutral in pH. The Red Rock/Sloan Field Office administers the land and it is open. A photograph is on file. This is one of the few thermal points near a big city that is open, measured and camp-adjacent.

Location
13 miles from Spring Valley, NV

About a hundred and fifty yards of walking from an unnamed road. The spring sits at around forty eight hundred feet in the desert west of Las Vegas, where snow is light, a foot or so in a cold winter, and rain is sparse. Red Rock Canyon Campground, about six miles away, is the nearest place to stay on file.

The cold months top the rankings. Open access, no fee recorded. The temperature is on the cool side for a soak and the reading is four decades old, so it may not match what you find. Red Rock Canyon Campground is the overnight option.

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 White Rock Spring.

Aerial view of the ground around White Rock Spring LiDAR bare-earth view of the same ground around White Rock 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
Canyon floor
Steep ground climbs away on both sides of the spring.
Highest ground nearby
386 ft above the spring
Within a quarter mile, to the northwest
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
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
42°
Jan
44°
Feb
50°
Mar
58°
Apr
64°
May
77°
Jun
81°
Jul
80°
Aug
73°
Sep
61°
Oct
50°
Nov
41°
Dec
Annual Precip: 10.1 in Annual Snow: 12.9 in
Best Time to Visit
December Air 41°F · Water 78°F · +37° contrast
January Air 42°F · Water 78°F · +36° contrast
February Air 44°F · Water 78°F · +35° contrast
December offers 40°F more contrast than July
Current Conditions
74°F
WNW 14.4 mph 19% Good soaking weather
Tuesday 85° Low 66° Sunny 4% precip
Wednesday 82° Low 65° Sunny 3% precip
Thursday 82° Low 65° Sunny 1% precip
Friday 83° Low 63° Sunny 1% precip
Saturday 84° Low 63° Sunny 1% precip
Water Chemistry Sampled 1985-06-26

The water at White Rock Spring is neutral (pH 7.0).

pH 7.0 Neutral
pH influences mineral absorption through skin
Calcium 94 mg/L
May support bone density and joint health
Magnesium 29 mg/L
Known for muscle relaxation and stress relief
Sodium 8 mg/L
Supports circulation and skin hydration
Sulfate 180 mg/L
Traditionally used for skin conditions and inflammation
Chloride 16 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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Nearby Camping
Red Rock Canyon Campground 6.1 mi away

Overview Red Rock Canyon's standard, RV, and group campsites are located in the stunning Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, an approximate 20 mile drive from "The Las Vegas Strip." Visitors enjoy hiking, rock climbing, bike riding and scenic driving in this unique Mojave Desert environment. Note: If visitors would like to visit the scenic drive, they must have a separate timed entry reservation for each day they plan to enter the scenic drive. Reservations are required October 1 to...

Reservable Yes
Reserve on Recreation.gov →
Temperature
78°F
Warm Hot Boiling
Water Temp 78°F (26°C)
Avg Air Temp 60°F
Above Ambient +18°F
Mild soaking conditions September
Access
Open
Road Access Short Walk
Distance to Road 447 ft
Land
Ownership Federal
Agency Bureau of Land Management
Designation PUB
Unit Red Rock/Sloan Field Office
Manager Bureau of Land Management
Protection 3 - Protected, subject to extractive use
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the water temperature at White Rock Spring?
White Rock Spring has a water temperature of 78°F (26°C). This is a warm thermal spring.
Where is White Rock Spring located?
White Rock Spring is located in Clark County, Nevada at 4,835 feet elevation, near Summerlin South. Coordinates: 36.1740°N, 115.4790°W.
How do I get to White Rock Spring?
White Rock Spring has Short Walk road access (447 ft from the road).
Is White Rock Spring free to visit?
White Rock Spring has Open access. It is managed by Bureau of Land Management.
Can I camp near White Rock Spring?
Yes, Red Rock Canyon Campground is located nearby (6.1 miles away).
What minerals are in the water at White Rock Spring?
Water chemistry analysis shows the presence of pH, Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Sulfate, Chloride, Iron. The pH is 7.0 (neutral).
Sources: USGS NWIS