Spencer Hot Springs
- Free
- 4 hr 9 min from Reno
- Roadside
A cluster of springs on BLM land in the Big Smoky Valley southeast of Austin, where pipes feed spring water into two metal cattle-trough tubs and a soft-bottomed natural pool. The source runs around 130-140°F, and soakers set the tub temperature by moving the inflow pipe. There are no toilets, water or services; free primitive camping is allowed at least 100 yards from the water.
- Price
- Free
- Nearest town
- Austin
- From Reno
- 4 hr 9 min
- Hike (one way)
- Roadside
Plan your visit
Hours & season
| Season |
|
|---|
Tickets & booking
| Price |
|
|---|---|
| Access | Free public access |
On site
| Pools | 3 |
|---|---|
| Lodging | No |
| Camping nearby | Yes |
| Land manager | BLM |
Not stated by the land manager: swimwear, ages, dogs.
Soak responsibly
- Pack out everything, including food scraps and toilet paper. Use WAG bags where required.
- No soap, shampoo or sunscreen in the pools; rinse away from the water.
- Check permits and closures with BLM before you go.
- Keep groups small and give others space. Respect posted dog and camping rules.
Water temperature
This venue doesn't publish pool temperatures.
Mineral profile
Total dissolved minerals
770 mg/L
Moderately mineralized · Sodium–sulfate (sodium sulfate water)
- pH
- 6.75
- Temp at source
- 164°F
- Lithium
- 1.8 mg/L
- Fluoride
- 10 mg/L
- Iron
- 0.13 mg/L
Lab analysis of the source water at “137b N17 E45 12 2 Well At Spencer Hot Spring” (0.4 mi from Spencer Hot Springs), sampled 1985 by the USGS and partners (data). Pool water may be cooled, mixed or treated, and spring chemistry is generally stable over decades. We report measurements only; we don't make health claims.
The pools
| Pool | Temp |
|---|---|
| Cowboy tubsTwo metal cattle troughs fed by pipe; move the pipe to adjust the heat. | — |
| Natural poolSoft-bottomed natural pool. | — |
As published by the venue. Temperatures shift with the seasons and the weather.
What's here
- metal cattle-trough 'cowboy' tubs
- one natural soft-bottom pool
- adjustable piped inflow
- Big Smoky Valley and Toiyabe Range views
- free primitive camping
- no water, toilets or services
Getting there
- From Reno4 hr 9 min192 mi
- From Tonopah2 hr 24 min112 mi
- From Elko (EKO)3 hr 30 min173 mi
Typical driving time without traffic or snow.
| Elevation | 5,655 ft |
|---|---|
| Parking |
|
Things to do near Austin
Hickison Petroglyph Recreation Area
Rock carvings and a short trail off US 50 east of Austin.
Nearby springs
Ruby Valley Hot Springs (Smith Ranch Hot Springs)
A group of clear spring pools in Ruby Valley, about 60 miles from Elko, between Ruby Lake National Wildlife Refuge and Franklin Lake Wildlife Management Area. The largest pool is about 30 feet across and sits around 100°F, but some nearby springs are scalding. The last miles are rough dirt roads where four-wheel drive is recommended, and Travel Nevada advises against winter trips.
Fish Lake Valley Hot Springs (Hot Well)
A free hot well managed by Esmeralda County in Fish Lake Valley, about 20 minutes from Dyer on a county dirt road. A large below-ground concrete tub holds water around 105°F, and its outflow feeds marshy ponds that draw wildlife. The site has a large parking area, primitive campsites and a vault toilet.
Benton Hot Springs (The Inn at Benton Hot Springs)
A historic ranch and inn in the old mining town of Benton, where spring water rising at about 140°F feeds private hot tubs at numbered campsites, Inn tubs and rental houses. Every tub is booked overnight; the inn offers no day use or hourly rentals. Tub sites take tents or RVs without hookups, and clothing is optional at the sites with discretion required.
Ruby Valley Hot Springs (Smith Ranch Hot Springs): 100 mi · Fish Lake Valley Hot Springs (Hot Well): 118 mi · Benton Hot Springs (The Inn at Benton Hot Springs): 139 mi
Sources (9)
· checked November 2026
Prices, hours and rules are checked against the official site and land-agency pages. Spot something out of date? Let us know.
- Official site: Spencer hot springs
- Official site: Nevada hot springs pairings
- austinnevada.com: Hot springs
- blm.gov: Spencer hot springs national public lands day cleanup
- blm.gov: NPLD 2025 Hot SpringsRAM 1.pdf
- Official site: Austin
- Official site: Toquima cave
- Official site: Hickison petroglyph recreation area
- Official site: Kingston canyon