Big (Ash Meadows) Spring
Big Spring discharges at 83°F within Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge, one of the Mojave Desert's rarest desert oasis ecosystems. Managed by the US Fish and Wildlife Service on federal land at 2,240 feet elevation, access is restricted to protect endemic species. The spring sits roadside, just 38 feet from the nearest road, with neutral pH of 7.3 and moderate mineral content.
The spring emerges in the Amargosa Desert of southern Nye County, surrounded by alkaline flats, mesquite bosques, and spring-fed marshes that support over two dozen plant and animal species found nowhere else on Earth. At 2,240 feet elevation, the landscape is stark Mojave scrub punctuated by green ribbons of spring-fed vegetation. Ash Meadows receives only 4 inches of rain annually and virtually no snow, creating year-round aridity broken only by the refuge's roughly 30 seeps and springs. Pahrump lies to the southwest across the desert floor.
Ash Meadows was recognized as a critical habitat for the Devil's Hole pupfish and other endemic species before the US Fish and Wildlife Service established the National Wildlife Refuge in 1984. Big Spring is one of several large carbonate-aquifer discharges in the area, fed by deep regional groundwater flow through Paleozoic limestone. Prior to federal protection, agricultural pumping and land development threatened the spring system. The refuge now holds permanent natural-state protection status.
Public access is restricted; visitors must check with the Ash Meadows NWR visitor center for current entry rules and seasonal closures. Boardwalks at other refuge springs allow wildlife viewing, but Big Spring itself may require special permission. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 110°F, so carry ample water and sun protection. Spring and fall provide the most comfortable conditions for exploring the refuge. No camping is permitted within refuge boundaries.
Is Big (Ash Meadows) Spring worth visiting?
Best for
- Warm-water soaking
- Easy day trips
The water at Big (Ash Meadows) Spring is slightly alkaline (pH 7.3) with 480 mg/L total dissolved solids.