Nevada (Hinds) Hot Springs
Nevada Hot Springs, also known as Hinds Hot Springs, erupts at 144 degrees Fahrenheit in Lyon County at 4,632 feet elevation near Smith, flowing 90 degrees above the 54-degree average air temperature. Located just 93 feet from the nearest road, the spring offers roadside access to intensely hot waters. Recent USGS measurements recorded 142-degree water with strongly alkaline pH of 8.7 and low-calcium sodium-sulfate chemistry.
The spring occupies the western edge of Mason Valley where the Wassuk Range rises toward the Sierra Nevada crest. At 4,632 feet elevation, the landscape transitions from valley floor sagebrush to pinyon-juniper woodland on surrounding slopes. The Walker River flows through Mason Valley several miles north, draining from the Sierra Nevada eastward into Nevada. Annual precipitation totals 12.5 inches with 29 inches of snow, creating a semi-arid climate influenced by Sierra moisture patterns. The California border lies just 15 miles west.
Nevada Hot Springs appears in early surveys and maps of the region, with "Hinds" likely referencing a landowner or settler family who controlled the property during Euro-American settlement. The Walker River Paiute and Washoe peoples utilized thermal springs throughout the area for thousands of years before ranchers and miners arrived in the mid-to-late 1800s. The spring continues flowing at the same high temperature recorded in historical measurements, indicating stable geothermal conditions. Current status shows undeveloped thermal discharge on private or public land.
Visit spring through fall when weather is favorable; winter can bring snow at 4,600+ feet elevation. Extreme water temperature of 144 degrees prevents bathing without extensive cooling; approach with caution. Roadside access eliminates hiking though permission may be required depending on land status. Smith offers minimal services; Yerington lies 20 miles north. Combine with camping at Indian Creek Campground 37 km southwest in California, currently closed due to 2021 Tamarack Fire damage but planned for rebuilding.
Is Nevada (Hinds) Hot Springs worth visiting?
Best for
- Observing powerful hot springs
- Easy day trips
- Overnight camping trips
Not ideal for
- Casual soaking
The water at Nevada (Hinds) Hot Springs is alkaline (pH 8.7).
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Overview Due to the extensive damage sustained in the 2021 Tamarack Fire, Indian Creek Campground is CLOSED at this time and will remain closed until the area can be made safe for public access and facilities can be rebuilt. Updated Press Release . Indian Creek Campground is nestled in the eastern foothills of the Sierra Nevada between the California towns of Woodfords and Markleeville. Elevation in the area ranges from 5,600 feet at the reservoir to 6,400 feet in the surrounding foothills....