Moapa Warm Springs
Moapa Warm Springs flows at 90 degrees Fahrenheit within the Moapa Valley National Wildlife Refuge, protected by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service with restricted public access. Located 141 feet from West Warm Springs Road at 1,772 feet elevation, the spring emerges 21 degrees warmer than the 69-degree desert air temperature. Recent USGS measurements show 89-degree water with neutral pH of 7.1 and calcium-sulfate chemistry.
The spring lies in the low Mojave Desert of Clark County, surrounded by arid valley floor near the community of Moapa Town. At 1,772 feet elevation, the landscape consists of creosote flats, scattered desert scrub, and sandy washes draining toward the Muddy River system. The refuge protects critical habitat for the endangered Moapa dace, a small fish found only in these warm spring-fed waters. Annual precipitation totals just 6 inches with minimal snowfall, creating one of Nevada's hottest environments with average air temperatures approaching 70 degrees.
The spring's thermal discharge sustains the Moapa dace population, leading to federal protection and refuge establishment to preserve this unique endemic species. Indigenous Paiute peoples utilized the springs long before Euro-American settlement, though specific historical documentation remains limited. The area's warm springs have drawn scientific attention since early surveys identified the unique aquatic fauna dependent on constant thermal flows. Current management prioritizes conservation over recreation due to the fragile ecosystem.
Access requires permission from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; unauthorized visits are prohibited. The refuge protects endangered species habitat rather than providing recreation opportunities. Extreme summer heat exceeds 100 degrees regularly; winter offers more tolerable conditions though spring remains restricted. Visitors to the Moapa area should explore permitted public lands nearby rather than attempting to reach the protected thermal waters.
Is Moapa Warm Springs worth visiting?
Best for
- Warm-water soaking
The water at Moapa Warm Springs is neutral (pH 7.1) with 597 mg/L total dissolved solids.