Our favorite biodegradable, eco-friendly, reef-safe sunscreen!
Nevada is home to hundreds of mineral hot springs located throughout the state, one of which is the Fish Lake Valley Hot Well. This free hot spring is located on the western edge of central Nevada, with breathtaking views of the rugged White Mountains and the night sky. While Hot Creek Springs or Gandy Warm Springs’ water is lukewarm, the Fish Lake Valley Hot Well’s water is hot, with a temperature of around 104–105°F. It is a perfect spot to soak after a long day of adventure.
We love hot springs, especially the free ones. Therefore, to help these hot springs remain open, free, and pristine, we need to go over some tips and etiquette. Please take care of the area. This way, we can all enjoy this beautiful area for years to come!
It is about a 30-minute drive on a dirt road once we turn off the paved road. The beginning of the gravel road was rutted; however, it got smoother as we went further. We recommend bringing a high-clearance vehicle, but you won’t need 4WD. Although if it’s raining, the road could get sketchy. There is no cell reception at the hot springs, so make sure to plan your route ahead of time. Fish Lake Valley Hot Well is inside a fenced area. There is a vault toilet right outside the fenced area.
There are two decent-sized ponds with blue water next to a cement hot spring pool. This area is framed by the Boundary Peak and the White Mountains. The views are quite breathtaking. The pond closest to the cement pool is warmer, while the farther pond’s water is a lot cooler. Since the water was cooler, the pond was great for a nice swim when it’s hot outside. Both of these ponds are very silty and can get muddy at certain spots. They can be quite deep, too. When we went, there were tons of fish and birds. We also saw many blue dragonflies that adorned the tall grass lining the ponds. Apparently, there are wild horses, coyotes, and other wildlife as well.
The cement hot spring pool at Fish Lake Valley Hot Well was built in the 1800s to allow visitors to soak in the healing mineral water. We call it a pool because it looks like a swimming pool with a metal ladder for descending. The pool is about 4ft deep and can fit around 6 people or so comfortably. There is moss built up inside the pool, so make sure to be careful when you get in and out. That being said, because of the overflow, the water is constantly being refreshed. This means the temperature is usually consistent, and the water is clean and clear.
Fish Lake Valley Hot Well area is a wonderful spot for dispersed camping. There is a lot of space to spread out. Please make sure to use pre-existing campsites instead of making new ones. You can tell by looking for a fire ring. If you’re camping, please make sure to set up your campsite at least 100 feet away from the hot springs. Here, you’ll have some of the darkest skies around. So, you’ll get some amazing night sky on a clear night.
If you love hot springs, check out our guide to the natural hot springs in Mammoth Lakes. Idaho also has some amazing hot springs. If you love hiking and hot springs, we recommend Gold Strike Hot Springs and Arizona Hot Springs. Both are spectacular! For more wonderful things to do in Nevada, check out Cathedral Gorge State Park. We also love the Great Basin National Park. Our favorite hike there is the Glacier Trail and Lehman Caves. Goshute Cave is another awesome wild cave. If you love slot canyons, check out Devil’s Gate, White Owl Canyon, and Spooky Canyon.
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These are the gear that we personally use and find helpful for this particular adventure. Don’t forget to check out our Recommended Gear section as well.
Our favorite biodegradable, eco-friendly, reef-safe sunscreen!
These jackets are warm, and comfortable, with tons of pockets, and are very well-made
This little towel is light, packable, and dry very quickly! We bring it on almost every adventure, from camping, road…
Compact GoPro pole that extends to 25", perfect to bring on your adventure.
This is our go-to camera for all of our adventures. It comes with us everywhere!
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Hi! We are Dustin & Vy, the proud creators of Live That Adventure. We created this website because we wanted to inspire others to live their lives to the fullest. On here, you’ll find everything from hiking, canyoneering, kayaking, and snorkeling to adventure and travel tips, gear reviews, and bucket list items such as bungee jumping or wing walking. We’ll show you the ropes so you can do them too!
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