Minnehaha Springs

Pocahontas County, West Virginia · Near Marlinton
38.1630°N, 79.9750°W · 2,310 ft
70°F 59°F air · Good soaking weather 2,310 ft Roadside Camping nearby (4.2 mi)

Minnehaha Springs is a barely-warm mineral spring in Pocahontas County, West Virginia, about eight miles from Marlinton. Seventy degrees on record, right on the line between tepid and barely warm. Roadside. No owner or access status in the record, though the water has been sampled and shows near-neutral chemistry.

Location

Ninety feet to the nearest road, which goes unnamed on the record. Elevation is about twenty-three hundred feet. Fifty inches of precipitation in a normal year, with a few feet of snow, make this a damp, cool spot by the record. Pocahontas Campground is a few miles off.

Pocahontas Campground is about four miles away. the best months on record says winter; snowfall is moderate. The water will not burn you, and it is well short of soaking temperature. Find out about ownership and access before going; neither is recorded. Marlinton is the town to ask in.

History of Minnehaha Springs

USGS sampled Minnehaha's water in May 1991 and found it near neutral with iron among the minerals.

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 Minnehaha Springs.

Aerial view of the ground around Minnehaha Springs LiDAR bare-earth view of the same ground around Minnehaha 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
Open ground
Flat, open ground all around.
Highest ground nearby
46 ft above the spring
Within a quarter mile, to the east
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
70 milliwatts per square meter of heat flow

That's close to the US average of 65. It's higher than at 5% 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
60°
May
66°
Jun
71°
Jul
68°
Aug
64°
Sep
53°
Oct
40°
Nov
35°
Dec
Annual Precip: 50.1 in Annual Snow: 38.4 in
Best Time to Visit
January Air 29°F · Water 70°F · +41° contrast
February Air 33°F · Water 70°F · +37° contrast
December Air 35°F · Water 70°F · +35° contrast
January offers 42°F more contrast than July
Current Conditions
59°F
NNE 20.9 mph 88% Good soaking weather
Today 78° Low 51° Mostly Sunny
Wednesday 86° Low 58° Sunny 3% precip
Thursday 85° Low 62° Slight Chance Rain Showers then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms 42% precip
Friday 83° Low 60° Showers And Thunderstorms Likely 61% precip
Saturday 77° Low 60° Chance Rain Showers 39% precip
Water Chemistry Sampled 1991-05-09

The water at Minnehaha Springs is slightly alkaline (pH 7.4) with 167 mg/L total dissolved solids.

pH 7.4 Slightly Alkaline
pH influences mineral absorption through skin
Higher mineral concentration for therapeutic soaking
Calcium 42 mg/L
May support bone density and joint health
Magnesium 5 mg/L
Known for muscle relaxation and stress relief
Sodium 2 mg/L
Supports circulation and skin hydration
Sulfate 37 mg/L
Traditionally used for skin conditions and inflammation
Chloride 1 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
Pocahontas Campground 4.2 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
70°F
Warm Hot Boiling
Water Temp 70°F (21°C)
Avg Air Temp 51°F
Above Ambient +19°F
Mild soaking conditions September
Access
Road Access Roadside
Distance to Road 90 ft
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the water temperature at Minnehaha Springs?
Minnehaha Springs has a water temperature of 70°F (21°C). This is a warm thermal spring.
Where is Minnehaha Springs located?
Minnehaha Springs is located in Pocahontas County, West Virginia at 2,310 feet elevation, near Marlinton. Coordinates: 38.1630°N, 79.9750°W.
How do I get to Minnehaha Springs?
Minnehaha Springs has Roadside road access (90 ft from the road).
Can I camp near Minnehaha Springs?
Yes, Pocahontas Campground is located nearby (4.2 miles away).
What minerals are in the water at Minnehaha 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 167 mg/L.
Sources: USGS NWIS