Spring
This 83-degree roadside thermal spring emerges just 10.8 meters from the nearest road at 3,772 feet elevation near Lovelock in Pershing County, flowing 25 degrees above ambient air temperature. The immediate roadside location provides drive-up access to thermal water in terrain receiving 8.3 inches of annual precipitation.
The spring sits in a broad basin characteristic of Nevada's Basin and Range province, where north-south trending fault-block mountains alternate with valley-fill sediments. At 3,772 feet elevation, the site occupies relatively low terrain by Nevada standards, contributing to the warmer 57.9°F average annual air temperature. Vegetation consists of sparse shadscale and greasewood communities adapted to alkaline soils and minimal moisture. The nearby town of Lovelock developed where the Humboldt River crosses Interstate 80.
Historical records provide limited detail on this spring's past. The generic naming suggests it lacked prominence in Indigenous or settler accounts. Lovelock served as a station on the Central Pacific Railroad completed in 1869, and springs along transportation corridors typically provided critical water sources for livestock and steam engines. The spring's roadside location may reflect deliberate road alignment to access this water point.
Accessible year-round via paved road, though summer temperatures regularly exceed 100°F. The roadside location eliminates hiking requirements but also means less solitude. Verify land ownership and access rights before visiting, as roadside springs in agricultural areas sometimes fall on private property despite appearing accessible. The 83-degree temperature offers warmth without intense heat.
Is Spring worth visiting?
Best for
- Warm-water soaking
- Easy day trips