Bole Spring
Bole Spring flows at 72°F in the Ash Meadows area of Nye County, barely 4 degrees above the local ambient air temperature of 68°F—making it only marginally thermal. At 2,275 feet elevation and just 4 feet from the road, it is one of the most easily accessed springs in the dataset. USGS chemistry shows 503 mg/L total dissolved solids with a neutral pH of 7.4.
The spring sits in the low Mojave Desert near Pahrump, in the same carbonate-aquifer discharge zone as nearby Ash Meadows springs. At 2,275 feet, the terrain is flat alkaline desert with scattered saltbush, creosote, and mesquite. Annual precipitation is a scant 3.7 inches with virtually no snow, and average air temperature of 68°F reflects scorching summers and mild winters. The spring's outflow likely supports a small patch of green vegetation amid the otherwise arid landscape, characteristic of the Ash Meadows area's spring-fed microhabitats.
Bole Spring shares its hydrogeological origin with the other Ash Meadows springs, fed by deep regional flow through Paleozoic carbonate rock. The spring appears in the 1980 NOAA thermal inventory and USGS water chemistry records but lacks detailed historical documentation. Its proximity to Big Spring and the Ash Meadows system suggests it may fall within or near the National Wildlife Refuge, though no specific land designation is listed in available records.
Roadside access is virtually immediate, with the spring just 4 feet from the road. At 72°F, the water feels roughly ambient in summer and only slightly warm in winter—not a soaking destination. If visiting Ash Meadows NWR, check whether this spring falls within refuge boundaries and observe posted access rules. Summer temperatures in this area regularly exceed 110°F; carry ample water and limit midday exposure. Spring and fall are the most comfortable seasons for exploration.
Is Bole Spring worth visiting?
Best for
- Easy day trips
The water at Bole Spring is slightly alkaline (pH 7.4) with 503 mg/L total dissolved solids.