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Smith Ranch Hot Springs

Checked October 2026 · Sources

Smith Ranch Hot Springs is a wild soak in Elko County, Nevada: 149 F water at the source (1980 survey), roadside access, snow likely November, January, February, March.

  • Wild
  • Roadside
Directions
Drive timecomputed

Drive times computed with GraphHopper; map data OpenStreetMap contributors.

The facts

Water
149 F at the source, not the pool
Quoted from the NOAA Thermal Springs List, checked Oct 11, 2026 (1980 survey), entry SMITH RANCH SPRINGS
Walk
Roadside: 0 miles one way from the nearest road
Computed on an OpenStreetMap foot route · start 40.24941, -115.40952
Fee
At a BLM fee area, a fee is due if the area is posted to say so. BLM general rule
No fee posted for this spring that we found (checked Oct 13, 2026)
What the BLM says

Exact wording: BLM rules page.

Permit or reservation
None posted by the agency
Checked on the BLM, checked Oct 14, 2026
Clothing
The BLM rules of conduct in 43 CFR 8365 contain no sentence about clothing or nudity (checked 2026-10-13 by reading the full text of subpart 8365). BLM general rule
What the BLM says

Exact wording: BLM rules page.

Dogs
At BLM developed recreation sites, an animal must be on a leash of 6 feet or less, or otherwise physically restricted, and may not be brought to a swimming area (a Seeing Eye or Hearing Ear dog is excepted for the swimming area rule). BLM general rule
What the BLM says

Exact wording: BLM rules page.

Snow
Likely November, January, February, March
Computed from NOAA snowfall, 2023 to 2026 seasons
Managed by
Bureau of Land Management, Wells Field Office (Elko District)
Closures
BLM Wells Field Office page (no per-site alert feed)
Last checked
October 2026

Trail and trailhead

Road access

Distance
Roadside, 0 miles
Computed on an OpenStreetMap foot route
Start
Road access
40.24941, -115.40952

Water temperature

149 F at the source, from NOAA's Thermal Springs List (1980 survey). That is where the water leaves the ground; the pool you sit in is cooler.

Quoted from the NOAA Thermal Springs List, checked Oct 11, 2026 (1980 survey), entry SMITH RANCH SPRINGS

Fees and rules

Do you have to pay to go to Smith Ranch Hot Springs?

No fee posted for this spring that we found (checked Oct 13, 2026). BLM general rule

BLM general rule: see The facts.

Do you need a permit or reservation for Smith Ranch Hot Springs?

None is posted. not posted

Checked on the BLM, checked Oct 14, 2026

Clothing and dogs

Clothing

BLM general rule BLM general rule: see The facts.

Dogs

BLM general rule BLM general rule: see The facts.

Seasons and winter access

Snow likely November, January, February, March at the spring.

Snow likelySnow not likely

Computed from NOAA snowfall, 2023 to 2026 seasons

Road and gate closures: check BLM Wells Field Office page (no per-site alert feed).

Before you go

Getting there

Google Maps Apple Maps

Both open at the start, the road access point, not at the pool.

Smith Ranch

Nevada. Tap the map for directions. Outline: US Census, public domain.

Nearby hot springs (1)

Bartine Hot SpringsEureka County, Nevadaabout 3 h 55 mindrive

All 5 hot springs in Nevada

Questions

Is Smith Ranch Hot Springs free?

BLM general rule BLM general rule: see The facts.

How long is the hike to Smith Ranch Hot Springs?

There is no walk: the spring is at the road.

Is Smith Ranch Hot Springs clothing optional?

BLM general rule BLM general rule: see The facts.

Can I bring my dog?

BLM general rule BLM general rule: see The facts.

Sources and last checked

Page last checked October 2026 (the oldest date below).

  • ncei.noaa.gov/access/metadata/landing-page/bin/iso: water temperatureChecked Oct 11, 2026
  • Walk: roadside, computed on an OpenStreetMap foot route (FOSSGIS routing, foot profile) from 40.24941, -115.40952Map data OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL
  • Snow months (Nov, Jan, Feb, Mar): computed from NOAA snowfall, 2023 to 2026 seasonsMethod page explains the rule

Report a correction

DirectionsSources