Smith Ranch Springs
Smith Ranch Springs discharges at 149 degrees on BLM land in Elko County, Nevada, maintaining temperatures 101.1 degrees above ambient air. Recent USGS readings confirm 35.4°C at this federal thermal feature just 62.9 meters from the nearest road. The springs flow on public land managed by the Wells Field Office.
At 5,990 feet elevation near Spring Creek, the springs occupy high desert terrain in northeastern Nevada's basin and range country. The roadside location provides immediate access from established routes. The surrounding landscape experiences average annual temperatures of 47.9 degrees with 13 inches of precipitation and 50.7 inches of snow, creating a semi-arid environment where sagebrush and scattered juniper dominate the vegetation. South Ruby Campground sits 11.3 kilometers away at the base of the Ruby Mountains above Ruby Lake.
Visit during spring through fall when roads remain passable and temperatures moderate. Winter access may be complicated by snow accumulation. The roadside location eliminates hiking requirements. South Ruby Campground offers a reservable base camp for exploring the Ruby Mountains and Ruby Lake National Wildlife Refuge. Extreme temperatures preclude direct contact with source water.
The name Smith Ranch Springs references the ranch property where these thermal features were first documented. The springs appear in the 1980 NOAA thermal springs inventory as a significant geothermal discharge point in Elko County's network of thermal features.
The water at Smith Ranch Springs contains 657 mg/L total dissolved solids.
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Overview South Ruby Campground is situated above Ruby Lake at the base of the beautiful Ruby Mountains at 6,000 feet in elevation, near the Ruby Lake National Wildlife Refuge in Ruby Valley, Nevada. Ruby Valley is a surprising wildlife oasis. An expansive marsh is laced with riparian corridors coursing with cool, spring-fed waters. Together with lush meadow and shrub-steppe uplands, these habitats support a diversity of wildlife seldom found in the high desert and is one of the most important...
Smith Ranch Springs sits at 5,990 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 24% stronger than at sea level, so bring sunscreen and drink more water than you normally would.
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Smith Ranch 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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