# Unnamed thermal spring, California

Unnamed thermal spring in California. 149°F (65°C). Short Walk · Public Land. Douglas County.

- Page: https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/california/unnamed-spring-douglas-county
- Source: Soaking Springs, researched and maintained by Armen Suny
- Updated: 2026-09-14

## Can you soak at this spring?

Not at the source. The water leaves the ground at 149°F, hot enough to burn skin. It's a short walk from the road. It's on US Forest Service land.

## Key facts

| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Source water temperature | 149°F (65°C) (USGS record; developed pools are often cooled) |
| Elevation | 5,311 ft |
| Access | Short Walk · Public Land, 0.2 mi from the nearest road (Barney Riley) |
| Land | Toiyabe National Forest, US Forest Service |
| County | Douglas County |
| Nearest town | Gardnerville Ranchos |
| Coordinates | 38.77300, -119.71300 |
| Best months to soak | December, January, February (largest gap between water and average air temperature) |
| Nearest campground | INDIAN CREEK CAMPGROUND (CA), 4.2 mi |

## Soaking safety

**Very Hot Source, Use Extreme Caution.** At 149°F, the source water at This spring 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.

## About Unnamed thermal spring

Toiyabe National Forest holds this unnamed thermal point in Douglas County, about nine miles out of Gardnerville Ranchos. The reading on record is 149 degrees, scalding at the source. Nobody should step into water that hot without first finding where it has cooled. Forest Service land, access listed as open.

A road listed on file as Barney Riley comes within a couple tenths of a mile; the record calls that a short walk. The spring sits a little above five thousand feet. Winters are heavy here. Close to ten feet of snow falls most years, and annual precipitation is a bit over two feet.

Expect snow underfoot; the record's months are winter, December through February, so plan the drive accordingly. Indian Creek Campground is four miles or so distant. Treat the source with caution: 149 degree water burns almost instantly. Test before touching. No fee shows up on the record, and no second name from OpenStreetMap either.

## Nearby

- Nearest city page: [Hot springs near Placerville](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/near/california/placerville), 59 mi away
- State page: [Hot springs in California](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/california)
- [Doud Springs, NV](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/nevada/doud-springs): 70°F source, Roadside, near Gardnerville Ranchos, Douglas County
- [Grover Hot Springs State Park, NV](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/nevada/grover-hot-springs-state-park): Short Walk, near Gardnerville Ranchos, Douglas County
- [Grovers Hot Springs, CA](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/california/grovers-hot-springs): 147°F source, Short Walk, near Gardnerville Ranchos, Douglas County
- [Unnamed thermal spring, CA](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/california/unnamed-spring-lyon-county): Warm, Roadside, near Smith Valley, Lyon County
- [Walleys Hot Springs, NV](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/nevada/walleys-hot-springs): 160°F source, pH 9.2, Roadside, near Minden, Douglas County
- [Myers Warm Spring, CA](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/california/myers-warm-spring): 75°F source, pH 5.9, TDS 40 mg/L, Roadside, near South Lake Tahoe, El Dorado County

## Questions

**What is the water temperature at ?**
 has a water temperature of 149°F (65°C). This is considered a hot spring, well above body temperature.

**Where is  located?**
 is located in Douglas County, California at 5,311 feet elevation, near Gardnerville Ranchos. Coordinates: 38.7730°N, 119.7130°W.

**How do I get to ?**
 has Short Walk road access, with the nearest road being Barney Riley (0.2 mi from the road).

**Is  free to visit?**
 has Open access. It is managed by US Forest Service.

**Can I camp near ?**
Yes, Indian Creek Campground (Ca) is located nearby (4.2 miles away).

**Is it safe to soak at ?**
No, not at the source. The water at  reaches 149°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 thermal springs records, Water Quality Portal lab analyses, OpenStreetMap, Wikipedia/Wikidata, NOAA climate normals