Nile Spring
Nile Spring flows at 109°F in Elko County at 5,141 feet elevation, emerging 61 degrees above the 48°F average annual air temperature in this northeastern Nevada landscape. The spring requires a 1,061-foot walk from the nearest road to reach. Recent USGS sampling documented water at 109°F with a neutral pH of 7.2, calcium at 40 milligrams per liter, and relatively low sodium at 10 milligrams per liter.
The spring emerges in the high desert rangeland of northeastern Nevada near Jackpot, at 5,141 feet elevation in country characterized by sagebrush flats and scattered juniper. The area receives 15.4 inches of annual precipitation and 49.2 inches of snow, creating a cold-winter, dry-summer regime typical of the northern Great Basin. The landscape consists of broad valleys separated by north-south trending mountain ranges, with the spring positioned in open terrain a short walk from the nearest access road.
Documentation of Nile Spring's name origin and early use remains limited. The spring exists in country that saw late 19th-century ranching and mining activity, as evidenced by scattered historic sites throughout the region. The name may reference Egyptian associations common in western Nevada mining districts, though no specific historical records confirm this. The spring has likely served as a livestock watering source given its flow and remote range setting.
Access requires a moderate walk of approximately 1,061 feet across open terrain. Spring through fall offer the most practical visiting conditions, as winter snowpack and mud can complicate access. The spring's 109°F temperature makes it too hot for comfortable bathing without cooling arrangements. Bostetter Campground, 28 kilometers south along Cottonwood Creek, provides the nearest developed camping in lodgepole pine forest. Visitors should carry water and be prepared for exposure on the walk to the spring.
Is Nile Spring worth visiting?
Best for
- Hot spring soaking
- Overnight camping trips
The water at Nile Spring is neutral (pH 7.2).
Bostetter Campground is composed of 10 individual units and 1 group unit. It is located in a stand of Lodgepole pine and stretches along Cottonwood Creek with one site tucked up above in some Aspen trees. The campground is pack it in and pack it out. The area is suitable for trailer and tent camping. Anglers can take advantage of a nearby stream. Campground amenities toilets.