Dangerously Hot — Not Safe for Soaking
Great Boiling Spring (Gerlach) reaches 208°F, far above safe soaking levels. Contact with this water will cause severe burns. Look for cooled downstream pools or view from a safe distance only.
File:Black Rock Desert, Near Gerlach, Nevada (11128596914).jpg — cc by-sa 2.0
Great Boiling Spring near Gerlach erupts at 208 degrees Fahrenheit at 3,960 feet elevation in Pershing County, ranking among Nevada's hottest documented thermal features. Recent USGS measurements confirm 84 degrees Celsius with extreme salinity including sodium at 1,550 milligrams per liter and chloride at 2,240 milligrams per liter, creating intensely mineralized water 152.8 degrees above ambient temperature.
The spring emerges in the Black Rock Desert region at 3,960 feet, where ancient playa surfaces meet sagebrush-covered alluvial fans. Annual precipitation totals just 8.8 inches with 18.3 inches of snow, characteristic of this rain-shadow zone west of the Humboldt basin. The thermal area contains dozens of hot springs and pools across one of Nevada's most geothermally active zones, though current access crosses private property.
History of Great Boiling Spring (Gerlach)
Great Boiling Spring operated as a tourist attraction in Great Boiling Spring Park through the mid-20th century until closure in the 1990s. The spring sits on private land and has not been accessible to the public for three decades. Indigenous Northern Paiute peoples utilized the Black Rock Desert thermal features for thousands of years before Euro-American settlement. The spring's extreme temperature and salinity reflect deep circulation through fault-fractured rock beneath the desert basin.
The spring is not currently accessible to the public and lies on private property with no legal access since the 1990s. Do not attempt to visit without explicit landowner permission. The nearby Black Rock Desert offers alternative thermal features on public lands. For those with authorized access, the 217.8-meter distance from roads requires a short walk, but the 208-degree water temperature makes any contact extremely dangerous.
Is Great Boiling Spring (Gerlach) worth visiting?
Best for
- Viewing dramatic geothermal features
Great Boiling Spring (Gerlach) is best appreciated as a dramatic geothermal feature rather than a place to soak.
Annual Precip: 8.8 in
Annual Snow: 18.3 in
December
Air 33°F · Water 208°F · +175° contrast
January
Air 34°F · Water 208°F · +174° contrast
February
Air 38°F · Water 208°F · +170° contrast
December offers 48°F more contrast than July
Recent Temperature
183.2°F
(84.0°C)
Measured Feb 19, 1974
Swimsuit & towel
Water bottle
Stay hydrated, especially in hot water
Trash bag
Pack out what you pack in
Water shoes
Hot ground near source
12 miles from Lovelock, NV
USGS Quad: GERLACH 15 · PP 492: 38.0 · Circ 790: 137.0 · NOAA: 8.0 · AMS Map: LOVELOCK
What is the water temperature at Great Boiling Spring (Gerlach)?
Great Boiling Spring (Gerlach) has a water temperature of 208°F (98°C). This is considered a hot spring, well above body temperature.
Where is Great Boiling Spring (Gerlach) located?
Great Boiling Spring (Gerlach) is located in Pershing County, Nevada at 3,960 feet elevation, near Lovelock. Coordinates: 40.6620°N, 119.3650°W.
How do I get to Great Boiling Spring (Gerlach)?
Great Boiling Spring (Gerlach) has Short Walk road access (0.1 mi from the road).
Is it safe to soak at Great Boiling Spring (Gerlach)?
The water at Great Boiling Spring (Gerlach) reaches 208°F, which can cause severe burns. Do not enter the source pool directly — look for cooled side pools or downstream areas where the water has cooled to a safe temperature. Access may be on private land or unconfirmed — verify current conditions before visiting. Always tell someone your plans before visiting remote hot springs.
Is Great Boiling Spring (Gerlach) crowded?
Great Boiling Spring (Gerlach) sees varying levels of visitors depending on the season and day of the week.
What should I bring to Great Boiling Spring (Gerlach)?
Essentials for Great Boiling Spring (Gerlach): swimsuit, towel, water bottle, a trash bag to pack out what you pack in. The water is over 110°F — test the temperature before entering and watch for scalding near the source.