Magic Hot Springs
Magic Hot Springs sits at 109 degrees Fahrenheit on BLM land near the Nevada-Idaho border, just 152 meters from its namesake road. The water chemistry is unusually mild for a hot spring -- low sodium at 9.4 milligrams per liter and low chloride at 3.5 -- suggesting a relatively shallow circulation that picks up more calcium and magnesium than deep-source minerals.
At 5,460 feet in Elko County's high desert, the landscape is open rangeland with scattered juniper and sagebrush stretching toward low mountain ranges. The spring emerges about 63 degrees above the ambient air temperature, which averages 46 degrees annually. Snow reaches 52 inches in winter, enough to blanket the ground but not enough to close roads for long. The air is dry, the light is clear, and the nearest town of any size is Jackpot, a small casino settlement on the Nevada-Idaho state line.
The spring sits along the northern edge of the Basin and Range province, where extensional faulting creates pathways for heated groundwater. The near-neutral pH of 7.6 and calcium-magnesium chemistry differentiate it from the sodium-dominated springs found deeper in the Idaho Batholith to the north. This suggests the water circulates through sedimentary and volcanic rock at moderate depth before returning to the surface. The area is managed by BLM's Burley Field Office out of Idaho.
A short walk of about 150 meters from Magic Hot Springs Road reaches the spring. At 109 degrees, the water is hot but potentially soakable where it cools downstream. Diamondfield Jack Campground, 26 kilometers away, offers first-come, first-served sites with drinking water, wheelchair-accessible toilets, fire rings, and a warming shelter. The campground is accessible year-round and doubles as a winter recreation area from December through March.
Is Magic Hot Springs worth visiting?
Best for
- Hot spring soaking
- Overnight camping trips
The water at Magic Hot Springs is slightly alkaline (pH 7.6).
Diamondfield Jack Campground and Picnic Area is located at the end of a paved road in Rock Creek. The campground is suitable for motor homes, trailers, and tent camping. This area is accessible year around. Campground amenities include drinking water, wheelchair accessible toilets, picnic tables, warming shelter, parking area, and fire rings. It is a winter play area from December through March. Pike Mountain and Eagle Trails (#239 and #243) are easy multi-use trails nearby.