Cedar Spring
Cedar Spring emerges at 77°F at 6,540 feet elevation on the Nevada Test and Training Range in Esmeralda County, flowing 25 degrees above the ambient temperature of 52°F. The spring sits just 36 meters from a road but remains permanently closed to civilian access on Department of Defense military property managed for national security purposes.
The spring occupies high desert terrain in the mountains near Goldfield, where annual precipitation averages only 7.3 inches with an additional 20.7 inches falling as snow. At 6,540 feet elevation, the landscape experiences cool winters and mild summers characteristic of Nevada's mid-elevation basins. The surrounding Nevada Test and Training Range encompasses thousands of acres of restricted military land, much of it undisturbed since Cold War-era weapons testing. Sparse desert vegetation and distant mountain ranges define the visual setting.
Public access is prohibited due to military security restrictions, making this spring unsuitable for recreational visitation. The roadside location would otherwise offer easy access, but all Nevada Test and Training Range lands require Department of Defense clearance. Winter temperatures at 6,500 feet can drop well below freezing, while summers remain moderate. No visitor facilities exist and none are planned for this permanently restricted area.
The spring's name suggests the presence of juniper or other drought-tolerant conifers in its immediate vicinity. Its location within the Nevada Test and Training Range links its modern history to military operations that began in the 1940s, though the thermal feature itself likely served earlier travelers and prospectors crossing Esmeralda County during the mining booms of the 19th century. Current status remains unchanged: active thermal spring on closed military property.
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Cedar Spring sits at 6,540 feet above sea level, way above the mile-high mark. You may not feel the altitude strongly, but hot water still dehydrates you faster at elevation. UV is about 26% stronger than at sea level, so bring sunscreen and drink more water than you normally would.
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Cedar Spring is road-accessible, so you can bring more gear.
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