Buffalo Valley Hot Springs

Lander County, Nevada · Near Battle Mountain
40.3680°N, 117.3270°W · 4,626 ft
174°F 59°F air · Good soaking weather 4,626 ft Open Short Walk Bureau of Land Management
Very Hot Source, Use Extreme Caution

At 174°F, the source water at Buffalo Valley 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.

Buffalo Valley Hot Springs is a scalding spring on BLM ground in Lander County, Nevada, twenty-seven miles from Battle Mountain. Water comes out hot enough to cook with. Access is open, managed by the Mount Lewis Field Office. A 1978 sample came back a touch acidic, with iron among its minerals.

Location
33 miles from Battle Mountain, NV

A third of a mile on foot from the road. Basin floor at middling elevation, dry through summer, twenty-five inches of snow through the winter. The parcel is ordinary public land with no added designation. The record describes no pool, no structure, nothing beyond the thermal point itself.

Winter is what the file recommends. The source water will burn on contact; test anything before touching it and keep children back. Access is open. Camping and fees go unmentioned. The only chemistry is from 1978. If a cooler pool exists, the file does not mention it, so do not count on one.

Monthly Climate
30°
Jan
35°
Feb
44°
Mar
52°
Apr
60°
May
73°
Jun
83°
Jul
81°
Aug
70°
Sep
56°
Oct
42°
Nov
30°
Dec
Annual Precip: 9.9 in Annual Snow: 24.8 in
Best Time to Visit
January Air 30°F · Water 174°F · +144° contrast
December Air 30°F · Water 174°F · +144° contrast
February Air 35°F · Water 174°F · +139° contrast
January offers 52°F more contrast than July
Current Conditions
59°F
Clear 33% Good soaking weather
Sunday 78° Low 49° Sunny
Spring is +96° warmer
Monday 74° Low 38° Sunny
Spring is +100° warmer
Tuesday 82° Low 40° Sunny
Spring is +92° warmer
Wednesday 80° Low 44° Sunny
Spring is +94° warmer
Thursday 80° Low 43° Sunny
Spring is +94° warmer
Water Chemistry Sampled 1978-01-01

The water at Buffalo Valley Hot Springs is neutral (pH 6.8). It is notably rich in sodium (supports circulation and skin hydration).

pH 6.8 Neutral
pH influences mineral absorption through skin
Calcium 44 mg/L
May support bone density and joint health
Magnesium 9 mg/L
Known for muscle relaxation and stress relief
Sodium 300 mg/L
Supports circulation and skin hydration
Sulfate 83 mg/L
Traditionally used for skin conditions and inflammation
Chloride 29 mg/L
Natural antiseptic with skin health benefits
Iron 50 µg/L
Iron-rich springs may support circulation
Temperature
174°F
Warm Hot Boiling
Water Temp 174°F (79°C)
Avg Air Temp 55°F
Above Ambient +119°F
Great soaking conditions September
Access
Open
Road Access Short Walk
Distance to Road 0.3 mi
Land
Ownership Federal
Agency Bureau of Land Management
Designation PUB
Unit Mount Lewis Field Office
Manager Bureau of Land Management
Protection 3 - Protected, subject to extractive use
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the water temperature at Buffalo Valley Hot Springs?
Buffalo Valley Hot Springs has a water temperature of 174°F (79°C). This is considered a hot spring, well above body temperature.
Where is Buffalo Valley Hot Springs located?
Buffalo Valley Hot Springs is located in Lander County, Nevada at 4,626 feet elevation, near Battle Mountain. Coordinates: 40.3680°N, 117.3270°W.
How do I get to Buffalo Valley Hot Springs?
Buffalo Valley Hot Springs has Short Walk road access (0.3 mi from the road).
Is Buffalo Valley Hot Springs free to visit?
Buffalo Valley Hot Springs has Open access. It is managed by Bureau of Land Management.
What minerals are in the water at Buffalo Valley Hot Springs?
Water chemistry analysis shows the presence of pH, Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Sulfate, Chloride, Iron. The pH is 6.8 (neutral).
Is it safe to soak at Buffalo Valley Hot Springs?
No, not at the source. The water at Buffalo Valley Hot Springs reaches 174°F, which can cause severe burns within seconds. Look for cooled side pools or downstream stretches, and test with a hand before anything else.