Hot Creek Springs
Hot Creek Springs flows at 151 degrees Fahrenheit on BLM land in Elko County at 6,140 feet elevation, requiring a 625-meter walk from the nearest road to reach the thermal discharge.
The spring emerges in high-elevation terrain managed by the Wells Field Office at over 6,000 feet, where sagebrush steppe transitions to montane vegetation. The area receives 12.1 inches of annual precipitation and 45.5 inches of snow, creating cooler and wetter conditions than lower-elevation Nevada springs. The setting provides views across northern Nevada basin-and-range topography, with the thermal waters creating visible alteration zones.
The 625-meter walk requires desert hiking gear and navigation skills; bring GPS or map to locate the spring. The 151-degree temperature demands extreme caution; test carefully before any contact. Winter snow at 6,140 feet can be significant; visit late spring through fall for best access. Slide Creek Campground sits 8.4 kilometers away with free first-come sites and wilderness trailhead access.
The creek name indicates the hot spring feeds or influences a drainage system, with thermal waters contributing to the local hydrology. The remote location limited historical development, though ranchers and prospectors likely used the spring as a landmark and water source. Current BLM management maintains open public access to the thermal resource.
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Slide Creek Campground is located at the trailhead for Slide Creek which accesses the Jarbidge Wilderness(hiking, horse trips, hunting, backpacking), has one single restroom, horse corrals (no horses allowed in the campground), 6 sites, no water, and is free. Not reservable.Located at the springs that feed Slide Creek, and the trailhead for the Slide Creek trail. Aspen and subalpine fir trees provide shade and shelter at the campsites.Appropriate for small trailers, good for tent camping.
Hot Creek Springs sits at 6,140 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 25% stronger than at sea level, so bring sunscreen and drink more water than you normally would.
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Hot Creek Springs is road-accessible, so you can bring more gear. The water is dangerously hot — bring water shoes and test pools carefully.
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