Parent Springs
Parent Springs flows at 93°F within Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge at 2,345 feet elevation, managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service under permanent protection status with restricted public access. The spring emerges 25 degrees above the warm 68°F average annual air temperature in this Mojave Desert oasis. Parent Springs forms one of approximately 30 major springs in Ash Meadows, supporting habitat for endangered pupfish and other endemic species found nowhere else on Earth.
The spring emerges at 2,345 feet elevation in Ash Meadows, a 23,000-acre desert wetland complex positioned in the Amargosa Desert between Death Valley and Pahrump Valley. The area receives just 3.9 inches of annual precipitation with minimal snowfall, making the abundant spring discharge from the regional carbonate aquifer all the more remarkable. The spring sits 440 feet from Longstreet Road, requiring a short walk across protected habitat. Mesquite bosques, alkali meadows, and spring-fed pools create biological diversity in stark contrast to the surrounding creosote desert.
Ash Meadows has supported continuous human presence for over 10,000 years, with archaeological evidence of Paleoindian, Pinto, and Southern Paiute use of the springs. The refuge's springs provided critical water for prehistoric and historic populations in this desert region. The area faced 20th-century threats from agricultural development and proposed housing projects before federal protection was established. Ash Meadows became a National Wildlife Refuge in 1984 to preserve the extraordinary concentration of endemic species dependent on its thermal springs and wetlands.
Public access to Parent Springs is restricted to protect endangered species habitat. The refuge maintains boardwalks and designated trails at other spring complexes where visitors can observe the unique ecosystem without disturbing sensitive areas. Crystal Spring and Point of Rocks Spring offer accessible viewing areas. Spring and fall provide the most comfortable visiting conditions. The refuge headquarters provides educational exhibits about the area's biological significance. Visitors must stay on designated trails and follow all posted restrictions to protect the imperiled species that depend on these irreplaceable desert springs.
Is Parent Springs worth visiting?
Best for
- Warm-water soaking