Panaca Spring
Panaca Spring flows at 88°F on Bureau of Land Management public land in Lincoln County at 4,768 feet elevation, emerging 32 degrees above the 56°F average annual air temperature. The spring sits 92 feet from the nearest road, offering easy roadside access. Recent USGS sampling documented water at 86°F with a neutral pH of 7.6, calcium at 30 milligrams per liter, sodium at 38 milligrams per liter, and moderate sulfate and chloride content reflecting circulation through carbonate rock formations.
The spring emerges at 4,768 feet elevation in the valleys east of Pioche, managed by the BLM's Caliente Field Office in southeastern Nevada's basin-and-range terrain. The area receives just 8 inches of annual precipitation and 18 inches of snow, creating an arid high-desert environment dominated by sagebrush and shadscale communities. The spring's position in carbonate-rich geology reflects the region's extensive Paleozoic limestone and dolomite formations, which host numerous thermal features throughout eastern Nevada.
The spring's connection to the nearby Mormon settlement of Panaca suggests historical use by early residents of the Meadow Valley region, settled in the 1860s. The spring likely provided water for livestock and possibly domestic use for ranchers and farmers who utilized the scattered water sources of this arid valley. No documented resort development or commercial bathing activity has been located. The spring continues to flow from BLM-managed public land.
The spring's location on BLM public land provides legal access, though visitors should research current conditions and any posted restrictions. The 88°F temperature creates moderately warm bathing conditions during cool weather. Spring and fall offer the most practical visiting seasons, as summer heat reduces the appeal of warm water and winter snow may affect access. No developed facilities exist on site. Visitors should practice leave-no-trace ethics and pack out all waste. The spring's remote setting requires self-sufficiency and preparation for desert conditions.
Is Panaca Spring worth visiting?
Best for
- Warm-water soaking
- Easy day trips
The water at Panaca Spring is slightly alkaline (pH 7.6).