Spencer Hot Springs
Austin, Nevada
Description
Added by Derek Mathewson
...Nevada has got some amazing "under the radar" hot springs, but this was one of my personal favorites.
Nevada has got some hidden gems, especially hot springs throughout the state, but this one really stuck out to me the most. It was probably because of the amazing scenery, the humble people and the wild burros. Plus, the time that I was there (early September), the weather was perfect. This hot spring sits out in the middle of the Nevada desert, about 19 miles from the town of Austin. From Austin, NV you'll take US 50 southeast until you get to the 376. Make a right on the 376, and then make a quick left on Forest Service Road 001. Drive about 5.5 miles before you make a slight left turn to the springs. You'll drive another 1.5 miles to the springs, but keep a lookout for other parked vehicles in the open land. Once you see them, continue to make your way towards that direction.
Once arriving, find a convenient place to park, because there's plenty of space to park your vehicle. The hot springs are a good solid temperature, so you'll find yourself enjoying it like I did! Just keep in mind that the springs are clothing optional, so don't be surprised if you see other nude people. If you're lucky, maybe you'll see the wild Burros wandering the land. That was actually pretty cool! Some even got fairly close as they were just looking for a place to get some water. But overall, the scenery (especially around sunset) was really awesome, and there's no hiking involved since you can pull right up to it.
As always, respect the land and leave no trace. Leave it better than you saw it, that way the next person can enjoy it just like you did.
Download Outbound mobile app
Find adventures and camping on the go, share photos, use GPX tracks, and download maps for offline use.
Get the appFeatures
Spencer Hot Springs Reviews
Camping at Spencer Hot Springs was the perfect way to break up the drive across “America’s Loneliest Road.” Although, doing it in the middle of July resulted in not fully being able to enjoy the hot spring tubs proper, as it was just way too hot. I arrived around 4:30pm on a Monday, it was still 95+ degrees (f) out, and there was no shade to be found. I was able to make my own shade by situating my truck and roof top tent to provide a shadow. The hot springs themselves are hot tub hot. If I had to guess, well over 100 degrees (f). Even after dark, it was still too hot to enjoy. But I did enjoy sitting next to it while watching the sunset and making friends with some of the wild burros. Plenty of space for camping. There were two other campers there, and we had no problem staying far away from each other. I’m sure in peak times it is a bit busier, but there is endless space to spread out.
5.0
Leave No Trace
Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!
Nearby
Shoe Tree of Middlegate
Desert Photography Exploration
Only-In-Nevada Adventures
Discover the wide-open heart of Nevada. With 60 million acres of breathtaking landscapes, natural hot springs, epic rock climbing, star-studded skies, and so much more—the Silver State is yours to explore. So go on, get a little out there.
Learn MoreDiscover
Community
© 2026 The Outbound Collective - Terms of Use - Privacy Policy