Pahrump (Bennetts) Spring
Pahrump Spring, also known as Bennetts Spring, flows at 77°F along Firebird Circle in the town of Pahrump at 2,680 feet elevation, emerging just 9 degrees above the warm 68°F average annual air temperature. The spring surfaces within 8 feet of the road, making it one of Nevada's most accessible warm springs. The thermal water represents one of several springs that enabled settlement in this Mojave Desert valley, where annual precipitation totals just 5.3 inches.
The spring emerges at 2,680 feet elevation in Pahrump Valley, positioned between the Spring Mountains to the east and the Nopah Range to the west. This low-elevation basin occupies the transitional zone between the Mojave Desert and Great Basin, receiving only 5.3 inches of annual precipitation and minimal snowfall of 1.8 inches. The warm 68°F average annual temperature makes this one of Nevada's mildest climates. The spring now exists within the developed residential and commercial fabric of Pahrump, surrounded by urban infrastructure.
The spring bears an alternate name referencing the Bennett family, suggesting homestead-era development of this water source. Pahrump's springs enabled ranching and settlement from the late 1800s, with the valley's reliable water making it an outlier in the surrounding desert. The springs supported agriculture and small-scale development through the mid-20th century. Modern urbanization has transformed Pahrump from a rural ranching community to a suburban extension of Las Vegas, with springs now integrated into the town's developed landscape.
The spring's roadside location on Firebird Circle places it within Pahrump's residential zone, and current accessibility depends on property ownership and development status. The mild 77°F temperature offers limited thermal appeal, particularly given Pahrump's warm climate. McWilliams Campground in the Spring Mountains, 29 kilometers away, provides forested camping at higher elevation with access to hiking and mountain biking. Visitors interested in Pahrump's spring heritage should research current property access before attempting to visit this feature.
Is Pahrump (Bennetts) Spring worth visiting?
Best for
- Easy day trips
- Overnight camping trips
Overview McWilliams Campground is located in the Spring Mountains National Recreation Area, just 50 miles from downtown Las Vegas. Visitors enjoy hiking, mountain biking and scenic driving in this forested desert oasis.Recreation Hiking and mountain biking are popular activities on the 6.2-mile Bristlecone Trail. Upper and lower trailheads are located just above and below the campground. The 1.3-mile Sawmill Trail begins about four miles below the campground just off State Route 156. Faciliti...