Macfarlane Hot Spring
This spring erupts at 170°F on BLM land in Pershing County, flowing 116 degrees warmer than the 54°F annual average air temperature. Located 137 feet from Jackson Creek Ranch Road, it requires a short walk to one of northwestern Nevada's most thermally extreme springs. The Black Rock Field Office manages public access.
The spring emerges at 4,100 feet in the Black Rock Desert region, where sparse sagebrush and greasewood cover alluvial fans spreading from nearby mountain ranges. Annual precipitation totals just 7 inches with 12 inches of snow. The area lies within the ancestral basin of Pleistocene Lake Lahontan, and mineral deposits from the spring create colorful travertine formations contrasting with the gray desert soil.
Named for the MacFarlane family who ranched in this region during Nevada's late 19th-century settlement period. The spring likely served as a critical water source for livestock operations despite its dangerously hot temperature. The intense heat prevented direct use for drinking but created a landmark recognizable across the desert valley.
The extreme 170°F temperature makes bathing impossible and poses serious burn risk—maintain safe distance and supervise children closely. Visit April through May or September through October; summer heat exceeds 100°F while winter brings freezing conditions. The spring lies in the remote Black Rock Desert region with no services for 50 miles. Carry adequate water, fuel, and emergency supplies.
Is Macfarlane Hot Spring worth visiting?
Best for
- Observing powerful hot springs
Not ideal for
- Casual soaking