Knoll Springs
Knoll Springs flows at 68°F from state trust land managed by Utah's School and Institutional Trust Lands Administration at 4,870 feet elevation, accessible via a 209-meter walk from Old 6 & 50 highway. Recent USGS data shows 19°C with pH 7.7 and balanced chemistry including calcium (65 mg/L), magnesium (27 mg/L), and sodium (49 mg/L). The spring runs 14 degrees above the 54°F ambient temperature.
The spring emerges in the transition zone between Utah's Great Basin Desert and Nevada's high desert ranges near the historic US 6 & 50 corridor. The landscape consists of sagebrush flats with scattered juniper and pinyon pine on volcanic hills. Annual precipitation is just 8.6 inches, making this one of the driest locations in the dataset. The surrounding terrain shows evidence of Pleistocene Lake Bonneville with ancient shoreline terraces visible on nearby slopes. State trust lands here are managed for revenue generation to support Utah schools, with grazing leases and potential mineral extraction shaping land use. The area is remote and sparsely populated.
The spring's name likely derives from a topographic feature or early settler surname. This section of the Utah-Nevada border saw limited Euro-American activity before the 20th century, with Pony Express stations and mining camps representing the primary historical footprint. Goshute and Shoshone peoples utilized scattered water sources in this arid landscape for millennia. The designation of state trust lands occurred at Utah statehood in 1896, setting aside sections to fund public education. Old Highway 6 & 50 was a major transcontinental route before Interstate 80 shifted traffic north.
Visit spring through fall when weather is stable and roads are dry. Summer temperatures exceed 95°F with intense sun and no shade; winter brings freezing nights and occasional snow. The 209-meter walk from the highway crosses open terrain—bring GPS and watch for grazing cattle. Water temperature is warm but not hot. The area offers solitude and night skies undimmed by light pollution. Fuel and supplies are limited; the nearest services are in McGill, Nevada, or Delta, Utah. Carry water, tire repair kit, and emergency gear for remote travel.
The water at Knoll Springs is slightly alkaline (pH 7.7).