Hot Springs
This thermal spring near Carlin emerges at just 79°F—30.6 degrees above the 48.4°F ambient air temperature at 5,709 feet elevation on BLM's Tuscarora Field Office land. Recent USGS analysis recorded 26°C water with neutral pH 7.3 and notably low sodium (10 mg/L) alongside moderate calcium (46 mg/L) and magnesium (23.5 mg/L). The 240.2-meter walk from roadside leads to pleasantly warm but not hot water.
The spring sits at 5,709 feet in typical Elko County high desert, where sagebrush extends across basin floors and precipitation totals 11.9 inches annually with 43.2 inches of winter snow—among the heavier snowfall totals in Nevada's thermal spring inventory. The elevation and latitude produce cold winters despite the 48.4°F annual average. BLM public land surrounds the feature, managed for multiple use including grazing and mineral exploration. The surrounding ranges show the characteristic north-south alignment of Basin and Range geology.
Visit spring through fall when the quarter-kilometer walk across high desert terrain is most pleasant. The 79°F temperature suits bathing if pools exist, but the warmth is gentle—ideal for cool evenings rather than midday summer soaks. Winter visits face significant snow depth and subfreezing conditions at this elevation. The low sodium content and neutral pH suggest mineral deposits won't be dramatic. Bring wading shoes and expect muddy ground around active vents. Combine with exploration of hotter springs in the Carlin area for comparative thermal experiences.
The generic name provides no historical context. The Tuscarora mining district—established after 1867 silver discoveries—dominated this region's 19th-century economy, but documentation connecting this specific warm spring to early miners, ranchers, or Indigenous users is absent. The spring's modest temperature may have attracted less attention than hotter thermal features in the area. Modern USGS monitoring confirms the feature remains active with stable chemistry, though its human history stays largely invisible in existing records.
The water at Hot Springs is slightly alkaline (pH 7.3).
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Hot Springs sits at 5,709 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 23% stronger than at sea level, so bring sunscreen and drink more water than you normally would.
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Hot Springs is road-accessible, so you can bring more gear.
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