Roadside Attraction Hot Creek Springs and Marsh
Lund Area
Overview
Thu 55 | 22 |
Fri 53 | 20 |
Sat 53 | 19 |
Sun 52 | 21 |
Mon 41 | 14 |
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Thu 55 | 22 |
Fri 53 | 20 |
Sat 53 | 19 |
Sun 52 | 21 |
Mon 41 | 14 |
View Full Weather Details |
If there is a more idyllic hot spring in Nevada than Hot Creek, I have yet to visit it! The hot springs are only about 85 degrees Fahrenheit, so possibly not a good place to visit in the dead of winter, but excellent in spring, fall, and summer. This peaceful place, in the wide open White River Valley, is a gem.
Hot Creek Springs and Marsh was designated a National Landmark in 1972. The hot springs, besides having a lovely boulder lined pool area we humans enjoy, are also home to the Moorman White River Springfish that are found in only three springs in the world. These small fish seem to flourish in the springs and are easily seen while visiting.
A few notes on visiting:
- The Dave Deacon Campground is about a mile away from the hot springs. This free campground has pit toilets, water, and an RV dump. It is not reservable, but an excellent option in the area. There are about 25 sites and usually a camp host.
- The road to the springs is a graded dirt road that gets quite washboard in spots. Most vehicles can easily reach the trailhead, but you may not want to take your finest low clearance car on 8-miles of washboard.
- The springs are home to endangered fish. Be respectful, clean up after yourself, and leave the place in better condition than when you arrived. We, pleasantly, saw no garbage on our visit.
- There is a pit toilet at the trailhead that was well maintained. Water and additional facilities are at the campground.
Getting There
The turn-off to reach Hot Creek is at Nye County mile marker 20.9 on NV-318, the state route that connects Crystal Wash in the south to US-6 in the north. From Crystal Wash, this is about 60 miles north on NV-318. From Lund, it is about 32 miles south. The turn off is onto a graded dirt road signed for Dave Deacon Campground.
- Turn off the highway and reset your odometer. The read heads west. ( 11S 672220mE 4253703mN / N38° 24' 54" W115° 01' 38" )
- 2.4 miles - Major junction. Stay straight. ( 11S 668505mE 4254138mN / N38° 25' 11" W115° 04' 11" )
- 3.5 miles - 4-way junction. Stay straight. ( 11S 666776mE 4254367mN / N38° 25' 19" W115° 05' 22" )
- 7.0 miles - Major junction. Go left, signed for the campground and hot springs. ( 11S 662854mE 4250959mN / N38° 23' 31" W115° 08' 07" )
- 7.3 miles - Campground on the left. ( 11S 662871mE 4250551mN / N38° 23' 18" W115° 08' 06" )
- 7.5 miles - 4-way junction. Go right. ( 11S 662846mE 4250282mN / N38° 23' 09" W115° 08' 08" )
- 8.6 miles - Road ends at a parking area and pit toilet. This is the trailhead. The hot springs is a short distance southwest on the trail. ( 11S 661576mE 4249540mN / N38° 22' 46" W115° 09' 01" )
Route
From the trailhead, the short trail heads to the large boulder lined pool that is the main soaking area. The pool, on our visit, was deep enough to require swimming in the middle and had a very noticeable flow coming through it.
From the boulder lined pool, an interpretive trail continues up along the creek with several informational signs. It is worth the short walk.
Hot Creek Parking And Trail |
11S 661576mE 4249541mN N38° 22' 46" W115° 09' 01" |
Hot Springs |
11S 661456mE 4249525mN N38° 22' 46" W115° 09' 06" |