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There’s a reason Nevada’s nickname is the Silver State. During the mining boom in the 1800s, thousands and thousands of people flocked to Nevada in hopes of striking it rich.
Today, you’ll find abandoned mining towns scattered throughout the state that once were bustling areas of life. Warm Springs, Nevada, is one of those locations.
If you travel along Highway 6 or Highway 375, you might want to check out this abandoned ghost town and imagine what life must have been like in the 1860s. Let’s dive in!
Where Is Warm Springs, Nevada?
You can find Warm Springs, Nevada, located 50 miles east of Tonopah at the junction of Highway 6 and Highway 375 in the south-central part of the state.
It’s about 100 miles southwest of Preston and about 100 miles northwest of Crystal Springs.
What’s the History of Warm Springs, Nevada?
Like many of the old West mining towns, Warm Springs, Nevada, didn’t experience a long period of prosperity. It was originally established as a stopover for stagecoaches in the 1860s, but not many people ever called the town “home.”
The Fallini family constructed a pool, bathhouse, and café, hoping passersby would stop and spend money. Tired travelers could relax in the warm waters and purchase a meal on their way to their next destination.
What Can You See at Warm Springs?
Today, there’s not much to see at Warm Springs, Nevada. The only people who stop by are those tourists who enjoy walking through the abandoned ghost towns of the West. It’s in the middle of nowhere, so it’s not on the way to any local attractions.
You’ll find dilapidated buildings and a few huts over the hot springs. The bar and cafe that the Fallini family built still has some old furniture inside, including a billiards table.
Then, in the middle of the desert, you’ll see a small white hut next to a sparkling blue pool. You’ll feel like you’ve been transported to another world. It just doesn’t seem like this beautiful turquoise spring should be in the middle of the Nevada desert.
Are You Allowed to Get in the Hot Spring in Warm Springs, Nevada?
It’s important to note that this hot spring, as beautiful as it may be, is not open to visitors. It’s on private property and not open to the public.
Although you may have heard stories of people getting into the hot springs in years passed, those days are gone. You won’t find a sign inviting you to soak in this historic pool anymore.
Other Popular Hot Springs in Nevada
However, if you want to soak in a hot spring to enjoy a relaxing soak, you have other options in the Silver State. Warm Springs, Nevada, is a great place to visit just to explore the old ghost town, but if you want to feel the warmth of the waters, consider visiting these five locations.
Spencer Hot Springs
Just southeast of Austin, Spencer Hot Springs lies on land managed by the Bureau of Land Management, which means it’s open to the public. It has three or four pools where you can relax and enjoy the stunning views of the Big Smoky Valley.
In two pools, you can pump the water and control the temperature to make it as hot or mild as you’d like.
You may also see the resident Hickison Burro Herd and catch a beautiful sunset while allowing the warm waters to heal your bones.
Gold Strike Hot Springs
Near the Nevada-Arizona border at Boulder City is Gold Strike Hot Springs. Visiting these thermal springs is intense and requires a strenuous 2-mile hike.
Choosing to visit Gold Strike Hot Springs is a serious commitment, but it’s worth it if you can stand the desert heat to get there.
Once you arrive, you’ll find multiple pools dammed up throughout the canyon. It even has a sauna cave and a hot spring waterfall.
To top it off, once you get to the bottom of the Black Canyon, you’ll have an amazing view of the Hoover Dam that only kayakers get as they traverse the Colorado River.
Soldier Meadows Hot Springs
If you thought Warm Springs, Nevada, was remote, Soldier Meadows is even more so. Located north of the Black Rock Desert, the hot springs lie in a 1.2-million-acre wilderness area, the largest in the continental United States.
Pioneers traveling the Lassen Applegate Emigrant Trail often stopped here and soaked in the dozens of hot springs. And because this place is so remote, the stargazing is truly remarkable.
Keep in Mind: If you enjoy ghost towns, then you need to add Rhyolite Ghost Town to your bucket list!
Black Rock Hot Springs
Another hot spring in the Black Rock Desert is located about a tenth of a mile northwest of Black Rock Point. Here you’ll find a giant pool about three or four feet deep, spanning 100 feet.
This particular spring is extremely hot, so it’s important to test the waters before stepping in. Within the giant pool are two overlapping ones. Don’t enter the smaller pool due to extreme temperatures.
Fish Lake Valley Hot Springs
Finally, Fish Lake Valley Hot Springs is located in a little valley near Dyer in western Nevada. It’s about an hour west of Tonopah, so you could easily visit Fish Lake after exploring Warm Springs.
Unlike the other hot springs managed by the Bureau of Land Management, Esmeralda County manages Fish Lake. Here you’ll find a man-made well that flows into a concrete tub about three feet deep that then flows into a marshy pond.
This area of Nevada is popular for off-roading, so you can have a warm soak after a day of adventure at Fish Lake.
Keep in Mind: While in Nevada, Add the Bonnie and Clyde Death Car to Your Itinerary!
Is a Visit to Warm Springs, Nevada, Worth It?
Don’t make a special trip to visit Warm Springs, Nevada. There’s not much to see or do, and you certainly don’t want to get caught for trespassing on private property at the spring.
But if you’re already traveling along Highway 6 or Highway 375, make a pit stop to walk around this forgotten town. Then make your way over to Fish Lake, where you can actually get in the hot springs and enjoy a sunset soak.
Have you ever explored the ghost towns of the Silver State?
