Bragg Spring

Highland County, Virginia · Near Monterey
38.2380°N, 79.6500°W · 2,508 ft
75°F 53°F air · Good soaking weather 2,508 ft Roadside Camping nearby (19.6 mi)
Aerial view of the ground around Bragg Spring LiDAR bare-earth view of the same ground around Bragg 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.

Bragg Spring lies in Highland County, Virginia, about thirteen miles from Monterey. The water is warm, mid seventies, the sort of temperature that feels good on a hot day and cold in January. A USGS site number is attached and that is about the extent of the documentation. No owner, no access status, no chemistry. Whether anyone bathes here is not something the record can answer.

Location

A road passes within about two hundred and seventy feet, unnamed in the record. Elevation is around twenty-five hundred feet. Expect wet ground most seasons, since rain and snow together run close to fifty inches a year, with the snow share about thirty-two inches. Nothing on file says who manages the land, and no photograph exists in the record.

Midwinter is rated best. Roadside, though which road is not given. For camping the record points to Pocahontas Campground, about twenty miles away. Find out who owns the ground before you visit. The temperature is the only measurement recorded, and it carries no date.

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 Bragg Spring.

Setting
Gentle slope
The ground tilts gently up to the southeast.
Highest ground nearby
159 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
75 milliwatts per square meter of heat flow

That's close to the US average of 65. It's higher than at 10% 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
33°
Feb
39°
Mar
50°
Apr
59°
May
66°
Jun
71°
Jul
68°
Aug
63°
Sep
53°
Oct
40°
Nov
35°
Dec
Annual Precip: 48.7 in Annual Snow: 32.4 in
Best Time to Visit
January Air 29°F · Water 75°F · +46° contrast
February Air 33°F · Water 75°F · +42° contrast
December Air 35°F · Water 75°F · +40° contrast
January offers 42°F more contrast than July
Current Conditions
53°F
SE 16.9 mph 81% Good soaking weather
Today 77° Low 54° Mostly Sunny
Wednesday 86° Low 61° Patchy Fog then Sunny 2% precip
Thursday 86° Low 63° Slight Chance Rain Showers then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms 45% precip
Friday 84° Low 61° Showers And Thunderstorms Likely 66% precip
Saturday 77° Low 61° Partly Sunny then Chance Rain Showers 34% precip
Nearby Camping
Nearby Camping
Pocahontas Campground 19.6 mi away

With a convenient location just off State Route 92 this campground is great for families and outdoor enthusiasts. Two Lick Trailhead is located within the campground and providing easy and accessible access. Also each campsite is furnished with a fire ring, picnic table, and lantern ring.

Reserve on Recreation.gov →
Temperature
75°F
Warm Hot Boiling
Water Temp 75°F (24°C)
Avg Air Temp 51°F
Above Ambient +24°F
Mild soaking conditions September
Access
Road Access Roadside
Distance to Road 265 ft
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the water temperature at Bragg Spring?
Bragg Spring has a water temperature of 75°F (24°C). This is a warm thermal spring.
Where is Bragg Spring located?
Bragg Spring is located in Highland County, Virginia at 2,508 feet elevation, near Monterey. Coordinates: 38.2380°N, 79.6500°W.
How do I get to Bragg Spring?
Bragg Spring has Roadside road access (265 ft from the road).
Can I camp near Bragg Spring?
Yes, Pocahontas Campground is located nearby (19.6 miles away).
Sources: USGS NWIS