Las Vegas is not all about gambling, shows, and conventions. There is so much
of the desert to explore once you leave the confines of The Strip. This hike
is a great day trip to consider when you need a break from Vegas. Although only
a short drive away, the peacefulness and amazing scenery you will experience
will make you feel like you've gone to another planet. The best time to do this
hike is fall, winter and spring. Summertime temperatures that can reach 120F
would make this hike very unpleasant. Also, this hike should be avoided when
thunderstorms are in the forecast as the canyon is subject to flash flooding.
Before starting this hike make sure you have plenty of water and something
to eat. While the hike is not that strenuous, you are on the trail for 5 hours.
I also found that sitting in hot springs makes me thirsty. If you don't want
to carry a lot of water with you consider bringing a water purifier or treatment
kit as the Colorado River is always cold.
The trailhead for this hike is 4.2 miles past the Hoover Dam on US Hwy 93.
Just before approaching the parking area you'll cross bridge over a usually
dry wash. Once over the bridge there is a short turnoff that leads to a parking
area. It is well signed so you won't miss it. The parking area is in view of
the road which should help a bit with the security of your car. At the start
of the trail the National Park Service has placed a box containing flyers with
hike descriptions, directions, and notes.
The 3 mile hike (6 miles roundtrip) to the Colorado River follows White Rock
Canyon from Hwy 93 to the Colorado River. The trail descends gradually to the
river. The trail is generally a gravel that crunches under your feet as you
walk. Be sure to make periodic stops along the hike to listen to the sounds
or, even better, the silence of the canyon. The gradual descent also means that
the ascent back to your car on the return trip will not be that strenuous.
Once you reach the Colorado River follow the trail to the left (south) to get
to the springs. Along the way you'll pass several beach areas that are used
for relaxing and camping. There are also several hills to climb over. The trail
over the final hill is not clearly marked. There are several paths to follow
over the hill, some easy, some more difficult. On the return route the correct
trail is more clearly marked.
The hot springs are located up a slot canyon. You know you've reached this
spot when you come to a stream at the base of the canyon. Note that the stream
does not make it out to the river. This stream is the runoff from the hot springs;
just follow it up the canyon to get to the pools. For this last part of the
hike make sure you are prepared to get your feet wet and that your footwear
provides a good grip on wet and sometimes slippery rocks. The last obstacle
to get to the springs is a 20' ladder.
There are two pools at the springs, both formed from sandbags (gravelbags?)
that dam up the water. The pools are about 2 feet deep although other visitors
mentioned that more bags used to be in place that brought the pools to 4 feet
deep. Just outside of the pools is a gravel area you can use to unload your
gear and keep it dry. The water temperature is between 85 and 120 degrees Fahrenheit.
The water highly mineralized, something obvious when looking at the canyon walls
in the pictures. The park service notes that the water may contain Naegleria
fowleria and recommends against splashing or submerging your head in the water.
Above the soaking pools the canyon walls tower up, leaving a sliver of sky
visible. To get a break from the water and to get some sun I alternated between
soaking in the pools and lying on the beach area at the base of the canyon where
it meets the Colorado. The trail to the springs continues downstream along the
Colorado, leading to additional beach-like areas.
Trailmaps
This topo map shows the route from Hwy 93 to the hot springs.
Las Vegas is not all about gambling, shows, and conventions. There is so much of the desert to explore once you leave the confines of The Strip. This hike is a great day trip to consider when you need a break from Vegas. Although only a short drive away, the peacefulness and amazing scenery you will experience will make you feel like you've gone to another planet. The best time to do this hike is fall, winter and spring. Summertime temperatures that can reach 120F would make this hike very unpleasant. Also, this hike should be avoided when thunderstorms are in the forecast as the canyon is subject to flash flooding.
Before starting this hike make sure you have plenty of water and something to eat. While the hike is not that strenuous, you are on the trail for 5 hours. I also found that sitting in hot springs makes me thirsty. If you don't want to carry a lot of water with you consider bringing a water purifier or treatment kit as the Colorado River is always cold.
The trailhead for this hike is 4.2 miles past the Hoover Dam on US Hwy 93. Just before approaching the parking area you'll cross bridge over a usually dry wash. Once over the bridge there is a short turnoff that leads to a parking area. It is well signed so you won't miss it. The parking area is in view of the road which should help a bit with the security of your car. At the start of the trail the National Park Service has placed a box containing flyers with hike descriptions, directions, and notes.
The 3 mile hike (6 miles roundtrip) to the Colorado River follows White Rock Canyon from Hwy 93 to the Colorado River. The trail descends gradually to the river. The trail is generally a gravel that crunches under your feet as you walk. Be sure to make periodic stops along the hike to listen to the sounds or, even better, the silence of the canyon. The gradual descent also means that the ascent back to your car on the return trip will not be that strenuous.
Once you reach the Colorado River follow the trail to the left (south) to get to the springs. Along the way you'll pass several beach areas that are used for relaxing and camping. There are also several hills to climb over. The trail over the final hill is not clearly marked. There are several paths to follow over the hill, some easy, some more difficult. On the return route the correct trail is more clearly marked.
The hot springs are located up a slot canyon. You know you've reached this spot when you come to a stream at the base of the canyon. Note that the stream does not make it out to the river. This stream is the runoff from the hot springs; just follow it up the canyon to get to the pools. For this last part of the hike make sure you are prepared to get your feet wet and that your footwear provides a good grip on wet and sometimes slippery rocks. The last obstacle to get to the springs is a 20' ladder.
There are two pools at the springs, both formed from sandbags (gravelbags?) that dam up the water. The pools are about 2 feet deep although other visitors mentioned that more bags used to be in place that brought the pools to 4 feet deep. Just outside of the pools is a gravel area you can use to unload your gear and keep it dry. The water temperature is between 85 and 120 degrees Fahrenheit. The water highly mineralized, something obvious when looking at the canyon walls in the pictures. The park service notes that the water may contain Naegleria fowleria and recommends against splashing or submerging your head in the water.
Above the soaking pools the canyon walls tower up, leaving a sliver of sky visible. To get a break from the water and to get some sun I alternated between soaking in the pools and lying on the beach area at the base of the canyon where it meets the Colorado. The trail to the springs continues downstream along the Colorado, leading to additional beach-like areas.
Trailmaps
This topo map shows the route from Hwy 93 to the hot springs.