Gold Strike Hot Springs, Nevada

What you are getting

Gold Strike is not a casual soak. The hot water seeps out of canyon walls and gathers in small pools near the Colorado River, but reaching them is the real story. The route is a steep wash with boulders, slick rock, and multiple dry falls where you will likely see fixed ropes left by other hikers. The National Park Service treats it as a canyoneering-style route, and it is not maintained.

Season and timing

This is a cool-season objective. The Goldstrike Canyon Trail is closed May 15 to September 30 for extreme heat risk. Even outside the closure window, start early and plan extra time for the climb back out, it feels harder on the return.

Water and facilities

Do not treat this as clean, managed water. The park notes the water is not regularly tested and has documented bacteria risks when pooled. There are no services in the canyon, so you need to arrive self-contained.

Where it is

Gold Strike Hot Springs sits in Goldstrike Canyon within Lake Mead National Recreation Area, near Boulder City and the Mike O’Callaghan Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge. You begin from the Goldstrike Canyon Trail parking area off Goldstrike Road.

Route realities

The National Park Service lists the hike at about 5.3 miles (8.5 km) round trip with roughly 1,200 ft (366 m) of elevation change. The wash alternates between wider gravel sections and tighter slots, then stacks up into dry falls that require careful downclimbing and later, a strenuous climb out. Ropes you find along the way are not provided or maintained by the park, treat them as unreliable and plan as if you will need to climb without them.

What to bring

Carry all the water you will drink, plus food, sun protection, and a small first-aid kit. The park warns the water is not tested and may contain fecal contamination, so never drink it. Toilets are at the parking area, not at the springs, and packing out waste is expected. Watch forecasts closely, this is a flash-flood prone drainage.

Who this suits

This is best for fit, experienced hikers who are comfortable with route-finding, scrambling, and exposure. If you want a quick soak with predictable access, pick a developed Nevada pool instead. Expect a long day and a lot of hand-and-foot movement.

Families

For most families, this is a no. The dry falls, rope sections, and heat exposure risk make it a poor match for kids, and it is not a place to learn scrambling skills. If you do bring teens, the group needs to move at the pace of the least confident climber.

Mobility and access

Wheelchairs and strollers are not realistic here. The route is a sandy, rocky wash with boulders, wet rock near the lower canyon, and steep grades. Even strong hikers should plan for slips, scraped shins, and slow progress.

Expectations vs reality

People picture a single destination pool. In practice, you are committing to a demanding canyon route where the soak is the reward at the end, not the main activity.

Heat, dehydration, and flash floods

Heat is the main hazard, which is why the trail is closed May 15 to September 30. Outside that window, hot days still hit hard in a dark canyon with little breeze. Start early, drink steadily, and turn around if anyone shows signs of overheating. Flash floods are a real risk in desert washes, do not enter the canyon if storms are forecast anywhere upstream.

Ropes and falls

The park is clear that the route is not maintained, including any ropes you may see. Assume knots can be wrong, lines can be sun-rotted, and anchors can fail. Before committing to a downclimb, ask if you can reverse it without a rope. Many rescues start with a simple downclimb that someone cannot climb back up.

Water quality and soaking habits

The park reports bacteria risks when water is pooled, and notes rare but serious illness can occur if contaminated water enters the body through the nose. Do not drink the water. Avoid submerging your head. Do not block or re-route flow with sandbags or rocks, pooling can increase risk. Cover cuts, rinse after soaking, and keep your soak time reasonable.

Etiquette

Keep voices low, share space, and pack out everything. Use a swimsuit, it avoids problems in a busy canyon. Leave rocks and plants where they are, and do not add new structures to the pools.

When is the trail closed?

The Goldstrike Canyon Trail is closed May 15 to September 30 for extreme heat risk. Outside those dates, conditions still vary, check current park updates before you go.

Is the route maintained?

No. The National Park Service states the route is not maintained, including any ropes you may see. Plan for a rough wash, scrambling, and unmaintained hazards.

Is the spring water tested?

The park notes the water is not regularly tested and has documented bacteria risks when pooled. Never drink it, and avoid getting water up your nose.

How long does it take?

Plan for a long outing. The park lists a typical duration range of several hours for the round trip, and groups that move cautiously through the dry falls often take longer.