Coyote Spring
Coyote Spring flows at 72°F on Bureau of Land Management property in Pershing County, emerging just 17 degrees above the ambient temperature of 55°F at 3,990 feet elevation. The spring sits 199 meters from the nearest road, requiring a short walk across open public land managed by the Black Rock Field Office near Lovelock. This modest thermal feature produces water barely warm enough to notice.
The spring occupies low-elevation desert terrain in northwestern Nevada's playa country, where annual precipitation totals only 7.9 inches supplemented by 14.4 inches of snow. At 3,990 feet, the landscape supports typical Great Basin vegetation dominated by sagebrush and native bunchgrasses across flat to gently sloping ground. The spring's outflow sustains a narrow ribbon of wetland vegetation attractive to wildlife in an otherwise dry environment, explaining the coyote reference in its name. Black Rock Desert's vast playas lie within the same watershed system, though at lower elevations.
The 72°F temperature makes this spring suitable for summer cooling rather than winter warming, with the modest heat barely registering as thermal. Visit during spring or fall for the most pleasant conditions, avoiding both winter cold and summer heat that can exceed 95°F in this low desert. The 199-meter walk from the road requires basic navigation across unmarked terrain. Bring adequate water for the short hike despite the destination, as 72°F spring water needs treatment before drinking. Combine with visits to other thermal features in the region or exploration of Black Rock Desert areas.
Like many Nevada springs named for coyotes, this thermal feature takes its name from the wildlife that congregates at dependable water sources in arid country. Indigenous peoples traveling through Pershing County would have known this spring as a reliable watering point, with later use by emigrants on California-bound trails, ranchers grazing livestock, and prospectors searching for minerals. The Black Rock Field Office manages this spring as part of its public lands portfolio, maintaining access while allowing extractive uses under BLM multiple-use mandates.
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Coyote Spring is road-accessible, so you can bring more gear.
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