Unnamed Thermal Spring
Rising to 114°F at 4,463 feet elevation, this unnamed spring on Bureau of Land Management property requires a 1,060-foot walk from the nearest road. Despite being cataloged under Nevada's Modoc County (actually a California county), the spring delivers water 62 degrees above ambient temperature with open public access.
The spring emerges in high desert country near Alturas at the California-Nevada border, where sagebrush-dominated terrain stretches across BLM holdings managed by the Black Rock Field Office. At 4,463 feet elevation, the landscape receives 10.9 inches of annual precipitation and 33 inches of snow, supporting sparse vegetation adapted to mean air temperatures of 51.8°F. The thermal waters flow across federal land designated for multiple uses including potential mineral extraction.
Visit during spring or fall when moderate temperatures make the short walk more comfortable. High desert conditions bring temperature swings exceeding 60 degrees between water and air. Carry water for the approach walk. Check BLM access regulations before visiting.
Historical records provide no name, Indigenous associations, or development timeline for this spring. The administrative designation lists Modoc County, Nevada, though Modoc County exists only in California, indicating either a border-zone location or mapping error in the original NOAA thermal springs survey.
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this spring is road-accessible, so you can bring more gear. The water runs hot, so extra hydration is key.
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