# Smith Ranch Springs, Nevada

Smith Ranch Springs in Nevada. 149°F (65°C). Roadside · Public Land. Elko County.

- Page: https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/nevada/smith-ranch-springs
- Source: Soaking Springs, researched and maintained by Armen Suny
- Updated: 2026-09-14

## Can you soak at Smith Ranch Springs?

Not at the source. The water leaves the ground at 149°F, hot enough to burn skin. You can drive right up to it. It's on Bureau of Land Management land.

## Key facts

| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Source water temperature | 149°F (65°C) (USGS record; developed pools are often cooled) |
| Total dissolved solids | 657 mg/L |
| Elevation | 5,990 ft |
| Access | Roadside · Public Land, 206 ft from the nearest road |
| Land | Wells Field Office, Bureau of Land Management |
| County | Elko County |
| Nearest town | Spring Creek |
| Coordinates | 40.24900, -115.40900 |
| Best months to soak | January, December, February (largest gap between water and average air temperature) |
| Nearest campground | SOUTH RUBY CAMPGROUND, 7.0 mi |

## Soaking safety

**Very Hot Source, Use Extreme Caution.** At 149°F, the source water at Smith Ranch 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.

## About Smith Ranch Springs

Smith Ranch Springs, on Wells Field Office ground in Elko County, run well past scalding, hot enough to burn skin on contact. Open BLM land about thirty-six miles from Spring Creek. Nothing in the record mentions a cooler pool, so count on looking and keep your hands out of it.

Roadside. The road runs a couple hundred feet off and nobody recorded its name. Nearly six thousand feet up, where a winter brings more than four feet of snow. Moisture across the year adds up to about thirteen inches.

South Ruby Campground is about seven miles away, which makes this an easy side trip from a camp there. Winter is listed as the best time, and at this elevation that likely means snow on the road in. The water will scald. Hold children and dogs well back. A 2000 sample put dissolved solids in the moderate range. No fee on file.

## Water chemistry

Lab sample from 2000-03-22 (Water Quality Portal).

| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Total dissolved solids | 656.5 mg/L |

## Nearby

- Nearest city page: [Hot springs near Elko](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/near/nevada/elko-elko), 45 mi away
- State page: [Hot springs in Nevada](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/nevada)
- [Sulphur Hot Springs, NV](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/nevada/sulphur-hot-springs): 205°F source, pH 7.1, Short Walk, near Spring Creek, Elko County
- [Giocoecha Warm Springs, NV](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/nevada/giocoecha-warm-springs): 76°F source, Short Walk, near Eureka, Eureka County
- [Carlotti Ranch Springs, NV](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/nevada/carlotti-ranch-springs): 102°F source, Short Walk, near Carlin, Elko County
- [Thompson Ranch Spring, NV](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/nevada/thompson-ranch-spring): 68°F source, pH 6.9, Roadside, near Eureka, Eureka County
- [Hot Springs, NV](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/nevada/hot-springs-elko-county-2): 79°F source, pH 7.3, Short Walk, near Carlin, Elko County
- [Bruffeys Hot Springs, NV](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/nevada/bruffeys-hot-springs): 149°F source, Roadside, near Carlin, Elko County

## Questions

**What is the water temperature at Smith Ranch Springs?**
Smith Ranch Springs has a water temperature of 149°F (65°C). This is considered a hot spring, well above body temperature.

**Where is Smith Ranch Springs located?**
Smith Ranch Springs is located in Elko County, Nevada at 5,990 feet elevation, near Spring Creek. Coordinates: 40.2490°N, 115.4090°W.

**How do I get to Smith Ranch Springs?**
Smith Ranch Springs has Roadside road access (206 ft from the road).

**Is Smith Ranch Springs free to visit?**
Smith Ranch Springs has Open access. It is managed by Bureau of Land Management.

**Can I camp near Smith Ranch Springs?**
Yes, South Ruby Campground is located nearby (7.0 miles away).

**What minerals are in the water at Smith Ranch Springs?**
Water chemistry analysis shows the presence of Total Dissolved Solids. Total dissolved solids measure 657 mg/L.

**Is it safe to soak at Smith Ranch Springs?**
No, not at the source. The water at Smith Ranch Springs reaches 149°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 thermal springs records, Water Quality Portal lab analyses, OpenStreetMap, Wikipedia/Wikidata, NOAA climate normals