Ash Springs
Ash Springs flows at 97°F on BLM public land in the Pahranagat Valley of Lincoln County, Nevada, named for the desert ash trees growing nearby. At 3,615 feet elevation and 81 meters from the road, it provides easy roadside access. USGS water chemistry shows a neutral pH of 7.0 with balanced calcium-sodium content.
The spring emerges in the broad Pahranagat Valley, a high desert corridor flanked by low mountain ranges along U.S. Route 93 in southeastern Nevada. Cottonwoods and ash trees cluster around the water source, contrasting sharply with the surrounding creosote and sagebrush flats. Annual rainfall averages 6.8 inches with 10.6 inches of snow. The valley floor is open rangeland used primarily for cattle ranching, and the spring feeds into the local drainage system that supports the small unincorporated community of Ash Springs.
The community of Ash Springs takes its name from the thermal feature and the native ash trees surrounding it. The principal industry in the area has long been ranching. The spring sits along the historic corridor connecting Pioche to the south and Tonopah to the west. No large-scale commercial development of the spring is documented, though the warm water has attracted informal recreational use for generations.
Ash Springs is accessible year-round via U.S. Route 93, a paved highway. Summer highs routinely exceed 100°F; winter nights can dip below freezing at this elevation. The 97°F water is warm enough for comfortable soaking in cooler months. Carry drinking water and sun protection. The spring pairs well with a visit to Pahranagat National Wildlife Refuge, located a short drive south along the same highway.
Is Ash Springs worth visiting?
Best for
- Warm-water soaking
- Easy day trips
The water at Ash Springs is neutral (pH 7.0).