Boiling Springs
Boiling Springs erupts at 187°F in Lyon County near Fernley—just 25 degrees below the boiling point at this elevation—making it one of western Nevada's hottest thermal features. The spring sits at 4,095 feet and is reached via a short walk of about 140 feet from the nearest road. Its temperature exceeds the ambient air by an extraordinary 131 degrees.
The spring lies in the basin country east of the Sierra Nevada, where broad desert valleys separate low, barren mountain ranges. At 4,095 feet, the landscape is arid Great Basin scrub—sagebrush, rabbitbrush, and sparse grasses—with no trees in the immediate vicinity. Annual precipitation averages 9.5 inches with nearly 19 inches of snow, while the average air temperature of 56.2°F masks extreme seasonal swings from well below freezing to above 100°F. Fernley, along Interstate 80, provides the nearest services to the northwest.
The name Boiling Springs appears in early Nevada survey records, reflecting the near-boiling temperatures observed by 19th-century travelers and surveyors. Lyon County sits within the Basin and Range extensional province, where deep crustal faulting allows groundwater to circulate to great depths and return superheated. No commercial geothermal development has occurred at this specific site, though the broader region has attracted geothermal energy exploration since the 1970s.
This spring is extremely dangerous—187°F water causes severe burns on contact. Do not approach the source vent or any actively steaming ground. There are no safe soaking opportunities here. The short walk from the road crosses open desert with no shade. Visit during cooler months to reduce heat stress, and stay on established paths to avoid thin crust over geothermally heated ground. Carry ample water and first aid supplies.
Is Boiling Springs worth visiting?
Best for
- Observing powerful hot springs
Not ideal for
- Casual soaking