Charnock (Big Blue) Springs

Nye County, Nevada · Near Tonopah
38.9920°N, 117.0420°W · 5,480 ft
80°F 84°F air 5,480 ft Open Short Walk Bureau of Land Management

Charnock Springs, also called Big Blue Springs, rises warm on BLM-managed ground in Nye County, sixty-some miles from Tonopah. The water on file is mild, short of a proper soak. Access is open. The USGS site number attached to it is the same one recorded for Big Blue (A) Spring, so the two listings point at the same ground.

Location

Lower Mine Road is the nearest named road, about eight tenths of a mile off, so count on walking. Tonopah Field Office land, BLM. Nearly fifty-five hundred feet up, high desert, eight inches of annual precipitation, winter snow adding up to a bit over two feet.

Winter scores highest on file. Warm water only, no burn risk. BLM land, open, with no fee listed and no camping on record. The walk is under a mile each way, but nothing on record describes the route, so navigate on your own.

Monthly Climate
31°
Jan
32°
Feb
41°
Mar
49°
Apr
58°
May
71°
Jun
79°
Jul
77°
Aug
68°
Sep
55°
Oct
41°
Nov
29°
Dec
Annual Precip: 7.9 in Annual Snow: 27.8 in
Best Time to Visit
December Air 29°F · Water 80°F · +51° contrast
January Air 31°F · Water 80°F · +49° contrast
February Air 32°F · Water 80°F · +48° contrast
December offers 50°F more contrast than July
Current Conditions
84°F
Clear WNW 45.6 mph 14%
This Afternoon 87° Low 55° Sunny
Saturday 88° Low 55° Sunny
Sunday 83° Low 48° Sunny
Monday 80° Low 48° Sunny
Tuesday 83° Low 50° Sunny
Mile-High Advisory 5,480 ft

Charnock (Big Blue) Springs sits at 5,480 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 22% stronger than at sea level, so bring sunscreen and drink more water than you normally would.

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Temperature
80°F
Warm Hot Boiling
Water Temp 80°F (27°C)
Avg Air Temp 53°F
Above Ambient +27°F
Mild soaking conditions September
Access
Open
Road Access Short Walk
Nearest Road Lower Mine Road
Distance to Road 0.8 mi
Land
Ownership Federal
Agency Bureau of Land Management
Designation PUB
Unit Tonopah Field Office
Manager Bureau of Land Management
Protection 3 - Protected, subject to extractive use
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the water temperature at Charnock (Big Blue) Springs?
Charnock (Big Blue) Springs has a water temperature of 80°F (27°C). This is a warm thermal spring.
Where is Charnock (Big Blue) Springs located?
Charnock (Big Blue) Springs is located in Nye County, Nevada at 5,480 feet elevation, near Tonopah. Coordinates: 38.9920°N, 117.0420°W.
How do I get to Charnock (Big Blue) Springs?
Charnock (Big Blue) Springs has Short Walk road access, with the nearest road being Lower Mine Road (0.8 mi from the road).
Is Charnock (Big Blue) Springs free to visit?
Charnock (Big Blue) Springs has Open access. It is managed by Bureau of Land Management.
Sources: USGS NWIS