Quick FactsOverview
About the Hot Spring
Bishop Creek Hot Springs, Nevada is a free, primitive geothermal pool in Bishop Creek Canyon, approximately 12 miles north of Wells in Elko County. Also known as 12 Mile Hot Springs, the site features a 40-foot concrete pool set against the canyon wall and separated from Bishop Creek by a low barrier. The water source emerges at around 105 degrees Fahrenheit and cools to between 95 and 104 degrees in the pool depending on the season. The pool is roughly 3 feet deep with a gravel bottom, giving good footing throughout.
The spring sits on private land, but landowners have allowed public access on a goodwill basis for many years. Visitors should respect this by following Leave No Trace principles, packing out all trash, and keeping noise levels down. There are no signs, no facilities, and no designated parking area at the spring itself. The site is undeveloped and self-managed from arrival to departure.
Bishop Creek is warmed by multiple smaller geothermal inputs along its banks, so the creek itself is pleasantly warm in many stretches and can be used for a cooler soak when the main pool feels too hot. The narrow canyon walls and clear skies above make this one of the more scenically situated natural hot springs in Nevada.
Location & Access
Directions to the Spring
The spring is reached from Wells, Nevada by taking Highway 93 North, then turning onto N Metropolis Road for about 5 miles, continuing onto County Road for another 3 miles, and turning right onto a rough dirt road for the final 2 miles to the pool. The total distance from Wells is approximately 12 miles. From I-80, take the Wells exit and follow signs toward Highway 93 North to begin.
The final 2 miles of dirt road cross Bishop Creek several times. In dry conditions from late spring through early fall, a high-clearance vehicle can typically drive all the way to the spring. During wet weather or snowmelt, the crossings become impassable and the road turns to mud. In those conditions, park at the cattle guard and walk the 2 miles into the canyon - the route is flat and takes roughly 45 to 60 minutes each way. There is no signage for the parking area or the spring, and cell coverage is essentially nonexistent once you leave Wells, so downloading offline maps before leaving is essential.
This is the closest free spring to Wells and one of the most accessible natural hot springs near Wells Nevada, requiring no permit and no entry fee. The nearest fuel, food, and lodging are all in Wells, 12 miles from the spring.
Suitability & Accessibility
Who Can Visit Bishop Creek Hot Springs
The spring suits outdoor visitors comfortable with a primitive site who either have a suitable vehicle for the rough access road or are willing to hike 2 miles each way. The experience is closest to a backcountry soak: no facilities, no staff, and no guarantee of privacy. Those who enjoy that kind of unmanaged setting will find the canyon and pool genuinely rewarding.
Families with older children can visit comfortably when conditions are good. The pool is shallow and the canyon trail is flat, making the hike manageable for most ages. Young children require close supervision near the pool and in any creek crossings. The site is not suitable for strollers or for families with very young children given the rough road and lack of facilities. Dogs are welcome but should be kept away from the warmest water near the source inlet.
The site is clothing optional, consistent with undeveloped Nevada hot springs. There is no wheelchair-accessible infrastructure at the spring or on the access road. For visitors seeking natural hot springs in Nevada that combine genuine solitude with a canyon setting, this site delivers reliably given its low visitor numbers. The shallow pool and flat terrain make it reasonably accessible once you arrive, provided the road conditions allowed you to get there in the first place.
Safety & Etiquette
Bishop Creek Hot Springs Safety Tips
The spring is generally safe for soaking, but the remote location, variable access road, and unmanaged water mean visitors need to plan carefully before going. The pool water is not tested or treated and carries the same general leptospirosis risk as any freshwater in the American West. Anyone with open cuts or skin breaks should avoid full immersion as a precaution, and submerging the head is not recommended at any untested natural spring.
Road conditions are the primary practical hazard. The dirt road crosses Bishop Creek several times, and in wet weather or after heavy snowfall these crossings become impassable. Attempting a crossing in a standard car during high water has resulted in vehicles being stranded. Check the weather before going, turn around if the road becomes muddy rather than pushing through, and carry enough fuel and supplies to return to Wells without stopping. Cell service is absent at the site and the nearest help is 12 miles away.
Pool temperature at the source is high enough to cause discomfort or scalding if entered without testing first. Always test the water by hand near the inlet before stepping in fully. Temperature varies by season: in winter the pool cools slightly and is very popular, in summer the water stays hotter throughout the day. Water shoes are useful as the concrete edges and surrounding rocks can be slippery when wet. Dispersed camping along the creek is allowed, but campfires should not be lit within 300 feet of the water source. Leave the site as you found it to preserve the goodwill access arrangement with the landowners.
