Gamble Spring
Gamble Spring flows at 69 degrees Fahrenheit from a source 48.8 meters from Wilkins-Montello Road in Elko County, making it one of Nevada's most accessible thermal features. At 4,980 feet elevation, the spring maintains water 18.7 degrees above the ambient air temperature of 50.3 degrees Fahrenheit.
The spring emerges in the high desert of northeastern Nevada at 4,980 feet elevation, where the landscape receives 10.5 inches of annual precipitation and roughly 24 inches of snow. The terrain surrounding Gamble Spring consists of arid rangeland typical of the Great Basin, with sparse vegetation adapted to cold winters and warm summers. The Wilkins-Montello Road provides direct access through this remote section of Elko County, where human development remains minimal beyond scattered ranching operations.
The name Gamble likely commemorates an early rancher, prospector, or settler who utilized this reliable water source in the late 19th or early 20th century. No documented Indigenous or military history survives in available records. The spring has remained largely undeveloped, serving primarily as a livestock water source for range cattle in this section of northeastern Nevada's grazing lands.
Visit during spring or fall when temperatures moderate the exposed desert environment. The roadside location requires no special equipment, though high-clearance vehicles suit the unpaved Wilkins-Montello Road better than sedans. Carry extra water despite the spring's presence. Winter access may be limited by snow accumulation exceeding 20 inches.
Is Gamble Spring worth visiting?
Best for
- Easy day trips