Gandy Warm Springs
Gandy Warm Springs flows at 81°F from BLM lands straddling the Utah-Nevada border, emerging 398 meters from road access at 5,237 feet elevation. Recent USGS measurements documented 26.6°C with pH 7.5 and relatively low total dissolved solids of 297 mg/L, while detailed chemistry shows balanced ratios with 47 mg/L calcium, 17 mg/L magnesium, 29 mg/L sodium, 23 mg/L sulfate, and 23 mg/L chloride. The spring runs 29 degrees above ambient in terrain managed by BLM's Fillmore Field Office.
The springs occupy remote desert terrain in White Pine County, Nevada, near the Utah border in country receiving only 9 inches of annual precipitation and 24 inches of snow. At 5,237 feet elevation, the site sits in typical Great Basin topography characterized by north-south trending mountain ranges separated by broad valleys, with sparse sagebrush and desert vegetation adapted to the arid climate. The short walk required reflects the spring's location away from improved roads, with surrounding BLM lands managed under multiple-use mandates in one of the West's most sparsely populated regions.
Gandy takes its name from nearby Gandy, Utah, a tiny settlement that once supported ranching operations in this remote border country. The springs have flowed for millennia through terrain utilized by Indigenous peoples before Euro-American arrival, though the area's remoteness limited development even during settlement periods. The springs remain undeveloped today on federal lands open to public access.
The 398-meter walk is straightforward across desert terrain, though visitors should bring water and sun protection. Unpaved roads require high-clearance vehicles and become impassable when wet. No developed facilities exist nearby, with the area best suited for experienced desert travelers comfortable with primitive conditions. Spring and fall offer moderate temperatures, while summer heat and winter cold can be extreme.
Is Gandy Warm Springs worth visiting?
Best for
- Warm-water soaking
The water at Gandy Warm Springs is slightly alkaline (pH 7.5) with 297 mg/L total dissolved solids.