Little Hot Springs
Little Hot Springs sits at 5,628 feet elevation on Bureau of Land Management property in Eureka County, accessible only by a challenging 2.3-mile hike from Grass Valley Road. Historical records indicate hot temperatures though specific measurements are not documented, and the spring emerges on federal land managed by the Mount Lewis Field Office with protection status level 3.
The spring lies deep in remote sagebrush country where the nearest road, Grass Valley Road, passes 3,714 meters to the east. At 5,628 feet elevation, the landscape shows high desert characteristics with big sagebrush, scattered juniper on slopes, and bunchgrasses in the understory. The climate brings 10.8 inches of annual precipitation and 38.3 inches of snowfall, with annual temperatures averaging 50.4 degrees reflecting the cooling influence of elevation. The terrain consists of rolling hills and shallow valleys typical of central Nevada's basin-and-range province, with this spring situated far from any development or infrastructure. BLM management allows multiple uses including grazing, with the hike-in distance providing natural protection from casual impact.
Little Hot Springs carries a descriptive name suggesting it was distinguished from larger thermal features in the area, though specific documentation of its discovery or naming is absent from available records. Eureka County saw intensive mining development in the 1860s-1870s, and ranching operations spread across the open range in subsequent decades. Thermal springs throughout the region were noted by prospectors, stockmen, and surveyors, with many receiving simple descriptive names based on size, temperature, or distinctive features. The spring's remote location and difficult access mean it likely saw limited use historically and remains in relatively undisturbed condition. Current status appears as an undeveloped thermal feature on open BLM range.
Attempt access only from May through October, as winter snowfall and spring mud make the 2.3-mile cross-country hike extremely difficult. The hike classification means no trail exists—visitors navigate by topographic map and GPS across sagebrush terrain that may include washes, rocky sections, and elevation changes. Bring navigation tools, adequate water, and sturdy boots. The historical notation of hot temperatures suggests significant thermal output, though current conditions are undocumented. At 5,628 feet elevation, be prepared for rapid weather changes and cold nights even in summer. The extreme remoteness means self-sufficiency is essential. Eureka provides the nearest services 30 miles south.