Soldier Meadows Hot Spring
90–106°F
Pool temperatures
4WD road
Hard access
Free
No fee reported
Soldier Meadows is a remote set of natural springs on BLM land at the edge of the Black Rock Desert, where hand-stacked pools along Hot Creek run from about 90 to 106 F. Reaching it means roughly 60 miles of dirt road north of Gerlach, with free camping and a first-come BLM cabin nearby. The water is home to the threatened desert dace, so soakers are asked to keep sunscreen and anything else out of the pools.
01 · Before you go
Plan your visit
What to expect on the ground: rules, facilities and when to go.
- Camping nearbyFree dispersed camping on BLM land near the springs, with metal fire rings. A small BLM cabin with a wood stove and pit toilet is available first come, first served.
- Toilets
- PoolsThree primitive rock-dammed pools along Hot Creek, plus a warm pond and other nearby springs
- Quiet
- SeasonLong dirt road from Gerlach that turns dangerous after rain; high clearance recommended. BLM closes part of High Rock Canyon Road each year from early February to early May (Feb 2 to May 9, 2026), which does not cover the Soldier Meadows approach from Gerlach but affects routes through the canyon.
- Free to soakNo fee or permit reported.
02 · Live
Conditions
Access status, weather and hazards. Closure feeds are checked automatically every morning.
Access
No closures reported
No closure, fire or weather warning found in Forest Service, wildfire (NIFC) or National Weather Service feeds. That isn't confirmation it's open, so check with BLM.
Checked 22 Oct · updated daily
Checked Oct 2026: BLM announced a seasonal High Rock Canyon Road closure Feb 2 to May 9, 2026 (announced Jan 23, 2026), the same pattern as 2025. No fire or closure of the springs found. The Soldier Meadows Guest Ranch has been closed to guests since 2017 (private). Route 2054 flooding notice dates from Jan 2021 only.
Extremely remote with no services past Gerlach; roads turn to mud in rain; pools vary in temperature so test before entering. The water holds threatened desert dace, so no sunscreen, soap or additives, and no building or moving of rocks.
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New closures, reopenings and new states, about once a month. No spam.
03 · Route
Getting there
Nearest town: Gerlach.
- 1
From Gerlach, drive north on the county road (County Road 34) for roughly 60 miles of paved then dirt road, around two and a half hours, to the Soldier Meadows area.
- 2
The springs and pools lie along Hot Creek on BLM land.
- 3
Ask at the Friends of Black Rock-High Rock office in Gerlach or the BLM for current road conditions before going.
41.3650, −119.2210 · nearest town Gerlach, NV
04 · Where to stay
Stay nearby
Start early and stay close. Places to stay near Gerlach, from campgrounds to cabins.
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Checked against 5 sources, with closures, wildfires and weather warnings re-checked daily.Show sourcesShare your photosSuggest an update
- en.wikipedia.org (location, temps, ACEC, ranch)
- islands.com (directions, road, camping, cabin, fee)
- blm.gov (status_notes, seasonal_access)
- travelnevada.com (pools, dace, rules, ranch closed since 2017)
- nature.org (land_manager, habitat)
