Abel Spring
Abel Spring delivers 115°F water on BLM land in Eureka County, Nevada, at 4,800 feet elevation. The temperature runs 57.5 degrees above the annual ambient average. Roadside access places it just 73 feet from Lockes Road, making it one of the more easily reached thermal springs in Nevada's remote central basin-and-range country.
The spring sits in a broad sagebrush valley typical of Nevada's central Great Basin at 4,800 feet. Low mountain ranges flank the valley on both sides, composed of Paleozoic limestone and volcanic rock. Big sagebrush, rabbitbrush, and native bunchgrasses dominate the valley floor, with sparse juniper on higher slopes. Annual precipitation averages just 6.6 inches with 13.3 inches of snow. The landscape is sparsely populated, with long sightlines across open rangeland.
Abel Spring lies within the BLM's Tonopah Field Office jurisdiction. Eureka County has been a mining center since the 1860s silver boom, and the surrounding valleys served as corridors for ranching and freight routes. No specific development history is documented for Abel Spring itself. The spring remains undeveloped, with no constructed soaking facilities or improvements on site.
Open to the public on BLM land, accessible directly from Lockes Road. The remote location means no services exist for many miles — carry fuel, water, food, and emergency supplies. Gravel road conditions vary; a high-clearance vehicle is recommended. Winters bring freezing temperatures and occasional snow. The spring's 115°F temperature requires testing before any water contact. Eureka, the nearest town, provides basic services.
Is Abel Spring worth visiting?
Best for
- Hot spring soaking
- Easy day trips