![Gold Strike Hot Springs](https://travelnevada.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/GoldStrike_Hero.jpg)
In the Las Vegas area and searching for a little outdoor action? Head for Gold Strike Canyon Hot Springs—situated outside Historic Boulder City, about an hour from the Las Vegas Strip. The 600-foot descent into this spectacularly scenic canyon promises rewarding hot springs, but in order to reach them, visitors must be prepared for third-class scrambling and navigating eight fixed ropes that weave in and out of house-sized boulders. Alternatively, you can kayak through spectacular Black Canyon on the Colorado River. In any case, this hot springing adventure promises incredible southern Nevada recreation, wildlife, history, and a whole lot of relaxation.
Find an adventure like no other in a famous Nevada hot springs oasis nestled in Gold Strike Canyon. The Gold Strike Hot Springs hike starts on a gravel trailhead and leads you down to the Colorado River with plenty of cliff jumping opportunities, hot pools, grottos, and hot waterfalls surrounding the area.
Accessing the Gold Strike Canyon Hot Springs Trail
The most popular way to access the trailhead is off Highway 93. Park your vehicle in the free parking lot near the trailhead, then embark on a gravel trail that begins just before the Hoover Dam Mike O’Callaghan-Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge. From here, the trail descends down through Gold Strike Canyon all the way to the mighty Colorado River. The entirety of the Gold Strike Hot Springs trail is about two miles one way, but does incorporate a series of 20-foot rope climbs that are well beyond beginner level. Plan for about 3-4 hours of hiking and scrambling time in each direction, or a full day adventure if you really want to soak up this spring’s full potential.
Travel Nevada Pro Tip
Staying Safe on the Gold Strike Hike
The scenery is spectacular as you navigate enormous, red rock canyon walls, dotted with vibrant native plants and Desert Bighorn Sheep. Before the hike gets serious, visitors will find a checkpoint station equipped with water supplies and packets of salt and sugar to prevent dehydration. From here, the real work begins at the first rope descent. In total there are eight ropes you must descend to reach multiple hot spring pools at the bottom. Gold Strike Canyon is a hotbed of geothermal activity—plan to cross paths with a multitude of hot pools, grottos, and even hot waterfalls.
Travel Nevada Pro Tip
Once you reach the bottom, the canyon opens up to the bank of the Colorado River. Here, cliff jumping is about as perfect as it gets—plus, you can take in an unblemished view of famous Hoover Dam.
Hours:
The National Park Service recommends avoiding this trail during summer months (usually May through September) due to extreme heat and potential rattlesnakes, as well as on rainy days as flash floods can occur. We also recommend bringing a friend on this hike, but to leave furry companions at home. Wear sturdy, close-toed shoes, and make sure you know your own hiking and climbing abilities before embarking on a high risk trail like this one.
Admission:
Camping overnight is not permitted, and no day use permits are required to access Gold Strike Hot Springs. For more information on planning your visit to this Nevada hot spring, get in touch with Lake Mead National Recreation Area directly at (775) 293-8990.
This Location:
![Southern Nevada, Nevada](https://travelnevada.com/wp-content/themes/travelnevada/src/images/region-maps/southern-nevada.png)
City
Boulder CityRegion
Southern Nevada