Overview
A Lake Mead hot spring you have to earn
Arizona Hot Springs is a hike-in spring inside Lake Mead National Recreation Area, reached via an unmaintained desert wash route with steep scrambling and a big elevation change. The spring water is officially described as ranging from 111 to 120°F, which means you treat it like genuinely hot water, not a warm creek.
What the soak is like
The soaking happens in a narrow, rocky canyon with a small, natural setup that changes over time. Conditions are not “fixed”, and the park is clear that the springs are free-flowing and you should not try to build or alter pools. Expect a basic wild soak where your comfort comes from good planning, not amenities.
Who it’s for
This is for confident desert hikers who can manage heat, loose rock, and a ladder section. If you want a hot spring that starts with a parking lot and ends with a towel, pick something else. This one is an outing.
Location & Access
Where it is
Arizona Hot Springs sits above the Colorado River in Lake Mead National Recreation Area, accessed from a shared trailhead just off U.S. Highway 93 south of Hoover Dam. It’s a designated hike, not a roadside spring.
By car
Park at the Arizona Hot Springs Trailhead (NPS notes parking just off US-93 before milepost 4). The area is a fee area, like the rest of the park, so carry your pass or proof of admission with your vehicle.
The hike
The park describes the route as very strenuous, with about 750 feet of elevation change, steep scrambling, and a 20-foot ladder section if you connect to the White Rock Canyon trail. The trail is not maintained. Treat it like a desert route, not a groomed path.
Seasonality and timing
NPS lists winter, spring, and fall as the main seasons. Start early and avoid thunderstorm days, flash flooding is a real risk in canyon and wash terrain.
What to bring
Drinking water is not available at the trailhead. Carry more water than you think you’ll need, plus sun protection and footwear with real grip. Pit toilets are located along the Colorado River near the springs, but you should still pack out all trash.
Suitability & Accessibility
Arizona Hot Springs is best for experienced hikers who want a real hot soak in a volcanic desert canyon setting. It’s also a good fit for visitors who like clear rules and boundaries: the park explicitly asks people not to alter the spring flow, so the experience stays closer to natural.
Families
Not ideal. The route is strenuous, the canyon is tight, and the hot water can be dangerous if someone slips or lingers too long. If you’re set on going, keep it adults-only or older, capable teens, and be strict about supervision and pacing.
Mobility realities
This is not wheelchair accessible. The park describes soft sand, gravel, rocks, and boulders for the full wash route, plus steep grades and ledges. Even strong walkers can find the ladder and scrambles stressful.
Expectations vs reality
Expect a wild hot spring with changing pool shape and basic conditions. Don’t expect changing rooms, railings, or predictable water depth. If you arrive with “hike first, soak second” expectations, it feels fair. If you arrive expecting a facility, it won’t.
Safety & Etiquette
Heat and dehydration
This is desert hiking, even in “cool” seasons. Start early, drink regularly, and turn around if anyone in your group starts fading. The lack of trailhead drinking water is a planning issue, not a minor inconvenience.
Flash floods
NPS warns against hiking canyon and wash areas if thunderstorms are threatening. Don’t try to outsmart monsoon weather. If rain is in the wider area, choose a different day.
Hot water judgment
With spring water described up to 120°F, soaking is about short sessions and frequent cool-downs. Ease in slowly, keep your head and chest cooler, and step out if you feel lightheaded. Avoid combining long soaks with alcohol.
Ladders, scrambles, and loose rock
Move one at a time through the ladder section, keep hands free, and don’t rush around wet rock. A slip here is more than embarrassing, it can end your day fast.
Etiquette
Don’t rebuild pools, don’t dam flow, and don’t “improve” the site. Keep noise low in the narrow canyon, share space, and pack out everything. The best hot-spring etiquette is leaving the place looking like you weren’t there.
FAQs
How hot is Arizona Hot Springs?
The National Park Service describes the spring water as ranging from 111 to 120°F. Conditions vary at the exact soaking spot, so ease in and keep sessions short.
Is the Arizona Hot Springs hike difficult?
Yes. NPS calls it very strenuous, with steep scrambling, an unmaintained route, and about 750 feet of elevation change. There is also a ladder section if you connect trails.
When should I go?
NPS lists winter, spring, and fall as the main seasons. Start early and avoid thunderstorm days because flash flooding can affect washes and canyons.
Is there drinking water or facilities?
Drinking water is not available at the trailhead. NPS notes accessible pit toilets along the Colorado River near the hot springs, but you should still plan to be fully self-sufficient.
Can I build or adjust the pools?
No. The park states the springs are free-flowing and alterations are not permitted, including blocking water to create pools. It changes the system and can create health risks.