Pinto Hot Springs

Humboldt County, Nevada · Near Winnemucca
41.3630°N, 118.7880°W · 4,105 ft
199°F 52°F air · Good soaking weather 4,105 ft Open Short Walk Bureau of Land Management
Very Hot Source, Use Extreme Caution

At 199°F, the source water at Pinto Hot Springs is hot enough to cause burns. Some hot springs this hot have cooler side pools or downstream areas suitable for soaking. Always test the water temperature before entering.

Pinto Hot Springs is a near-boiling source in Humboldt County, more than sixty miles from Winnemucca, on public land managed by the BLM's Black Rock Field Office. The record marks access open. The water is nearly at the boiling point, so this is a place to see, and the 1974 water sample is the only chemistry on file.

Location

The walk in from the road is about a fifth-mile, and no road name is given. Open BLM desert at roughly the four-thousand-foot mark, dry at eight inches of precipitation, with light snow. Summers are hot and winters cold. No designation beyond ordinary public land. The Black Rock Field Office is the managing unit.

Water this close to boiling will scald on contact. Stay far from the source and from any channel leaving it. The listed window is midwinter. No campground is recorded, and Winnemucca is a long way off, so be self-sufficient. The chemistry reading is half a century old.

Monthly Climate
32°
Jan
36°
Feb
44°
Mar
51°
Apr
60°
May
71°
Jun
81°
Jul
79°
Aug
69°
Sep
54°
Oct
41°
Nov
31°
Dec
Annual Precip: 7.5 in Annual Snow: 12.9 in
Best Time to Visit
December Air 31°F · Water 199°F · +168° contrast
January Air 32°F · Water 199°F · +167° contrast
February Air 36°F · Water 199°F · +163° contrast
December offers 50°F more contrast than July
Current Conditions
52°F
Clear ENE 12.4 mph 54% Good soaking weather
Sunday 73° Low 49° Mostly Sunny then Isolated Rain Showers 16% precip
Spring is +126° warmer
Labor Day 71° Low 43° Sunny
Spring is +128° warmer
Tuesday 79° Low 48° Sunny
Spring is +120° warmer
Wednesday 84° Low 54° Partly Sunny 2% precip
Spring is +115° warmer
Thursday 88° Low 59° Mostly Sunny 3% precip
Spring is +111° warmer
Water Chemistry Sampled 1974-01-01

The water at Pinto Hot Springs is neutral (pH 7.1). It is notably rich in sodium (supports circulation and skin hydration) and chloride (natural antiseptic with skin health benefits).

pH 7.1 Neutral
pH influences mineral absorption through skin
Calcium 14 mg/L
May support bone density and joint health
Magnesium 0 mg/L
Known for muscle relaxation and stress relief
Sodium 330 mg/L
Supports circulation and skin hydration
Sulfate 120 mg/L
Traditionally used for skin conditions and inflammation
Chloride 160 mg/L
Natural antiseptic with skin health benefits
Iron 60 µg/L
Iron-rich springs may support circulation
Temperature
199°F
Warm Hot Boiling
Water Temp 199°F (93°C)
Avg Air Temp 54°F
Above Ambient +145°F
Great soaking conditions September
Access
Open
Road Access Short Walk
Distance to Road 0.2 mi
Land
Ownership Federal
Agency Bureau of Land Management
Designation PUB
Unit Black Rock Field Office
Manager Bureau of Land Management
Protection 3 - Protected, subject to extractive use
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the water temperature at Pinto Hot Springs?
Pinto Hot Springs has a water temperature of 199°F (93°C). This is considered a hot spring, well above body temperature.
Where is Pinto Hot Springs located?
Pinto Hot Springs is located in Humboldt County, Nevada at 4,105 feet elevation, near Winnemucca. Coordinates: 41.3630°N, 118.7880°W.
How do I get to Pinto Hot Springs?
Pinto Hot Springs has Short Walk road access (0.2 mi from the road).
Is Pinto Hot Springs free to visit?
Pinto Hot Springs has Open access. It is managed by Bureau of Land Management.
What minerals are in the water at Pinto Hot Springs?
Water chemistry analysis shows the presence of pH, Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Sulfate, Chloride, Iron. The pH is 7.1 (neutral).
Is it safe to soak at Pinto Hot Springs?
No, not at the source. The water at Pinto Hot Springs reaches 199°F, which can cause severe burns within seconds. Look for cooled side pools or downstream stretches, and test with a hand before anything else.
Sources: USGS NWIS