Looking for a unique hot springs experience near Las Vegas? Gold Strike Hot Springs is the place to go! This 6-mile hike takes you through a beautiful and adventurous canyon to Nevada’s best hot springs. The hot springs are the highlight of this hike, but you’ll also have some fun scrambling up and down large boulders on your way there. So if you’re looking for an exciting day trip from Las Vegas, be sure to check out Gold Strike Hot Springs!
Gold Strike is a great primitive hot springs located near the Colorado River. It is difficult to get to because you have to hike for a long time, but it’s worth it because there are several hot springs pools.
The Gold Strike Hot Springs (also known as Goldstrike Hot Springs, Nevada Hot Springs, and Gold Strike Canyon Hot Springs) are a unique 6-mile trek to hot springs along the Hoover Dam. The hot springs are the main attraction, but the trek is also an adventure in and of itself, with some class 3 rock climbing and rope assistance on steep slopes.
Gold Strike Canyon is home to Gold Strike Hot Springs and Nevada Hot Springs. The hot springs are down the river from Hoover Dam in the Black Canyon of the Colorado River. Access is easy, it only takes about an hour hike from the trailhead near the highway.
Be careful! The National Park Service does not recommend this hike in the summer because it is very hot. There is also a high chance of running into rattlesnakes. This hike is very popular with locals, so expect to run into many groups of people. Please be sure to clean up any trash that you see and take it with you when you leave.
Boulder City, Nevada is the nearest settlement to Gold Strike. The hot springs are closed in the summer because it is too hot. The temperature can get up to 115 degrees Fahrenheit. It opens from October to May. Please leave your dogs and small kids at home for this strenuous trek. Bring a lot of water, snacks and sturdy hiking boots with traction.
Near Boulder City, NV, you can also go on a shorter hike to Ringbolt Hot Springs. This is a 6 mile loop hike that you can finish in around 3 hours.
The hike is a bit adventurous. There are many small obstacles and you will need to use the ropes to get over them. You can do this with teamwork. Be careful if you bring your dog on the hike. They may need help getting up and down the short drops.
The hot springs vary depending on the weather. Some pools were filled in by heavy rainfall in December 2010, but people can still find several nice pools to soak in. The filled in pools are likely to show up again as people work on digging them out and rebuilding them.
Gold Strike Hot Springs Soaking
Further down the Colorado River, there are a few mineral pools to soak in. The temperatures range from 100 to 106 degrees Fahrenheit. The upper ones are the first ones you’ll reach, but keep going to find the lower ones.
It is a beautiful one-of-a-kind hike that’s worth the reward at the end. The hike is really busy on weekends, but it’s worth it to go up and enjoy the hot springs and then take a cool dip in the Colorado River.
Note: Soak at your own risk! There is a concern of Naegleria Fowleri at many hot springs. However, the chances of getting infected are very low. If you do choose to soak, try not to get water in your nose because that is how you can get infected.
Getting There
To get to the Gold Strike Trailhead, take Highway 93 east from Boulder City for 4.6 miles. Then turn onto NV-172 and go for 2 miles until you reach the trailhead.
The strenuous hike takes about 3 hours one way from the trailhead. It leads through a cool canyon to several pools. If you don’t want to hike, you can take a boat from Willow Beach Marina. You can rent them there, or spend the night in the campground.
The hike is a bit difficult because you need to use 8 ropes to get to the Colorado River. It’s a bit more work going up. Make sure you wear boots with good traction because they will get wet. You’ll also pass some hot springs on the way, but make it all the way to the Colorado River for the best ones!
Arriving at the hot springs
There are three hot springs on the hike. The first is sometimes dried up, depending on the time of year. The second spring is called the Cave of Wonders. If you continue further down the trail, the third and most popular hot spring is just beyond a couple of small waterfalls.
The last hot spring is a mile down the river from here. You may enjoy a refreshing swim, but remember that water levels and velocity can fluctuate unpredictably.
FAQ
How hot is the Gold Strike Hot Springs compared to other pools?
The water emerges from the cliffs at a temperature of 109°F. The first waterfall on the trail has a sand and gravel-bottomed rock pool, and the water there is usually 100°F. The temperature gets cooler as you get further away from the source.
How long does it take to get to Gold Strike Hot Springs from the trailhead?
This hike can be slow depending on how comfortable you are with scrambling. To be safe, most websites recommend 3-4 hours each way, meaning a total of 6-8 hours, not including time to soak.
Is the Gold Strike Hot Springs Trail Still Open and Accessible?
Because of the scorching heat, the trail is closed from May 15 through September 30.
Details
Address: Boulder City, NV 89005, USA
Season: October to May (avoid summer too hot)
Map to Gold Strike Hot Springs
Summary
Gold Strike Hot Springs is a unique 6-mile hike to hot springs near the Hoover Dam. The hot springs are the highlight, but the hike is also an adventure in itself involving some class 3 scrambling and using ropes to help you up and down large boulders.
The trail is closed from May 15 through September 30, so the best time to visit is October to May. The hike can be slow depending on how comfortable you are with scrambling, so allow for plenty of time (at least six hours round trip).
Gold Strike Hot Springs is a beautiful one-of-a-kind hike that’s worth the effort. Remember to soak at your own risk and take precautions against Naegleria Fowleri.