I’ve been in pursuit of the best natural hot springs for a long time. A few times, I’d thought I’d found it. And I was close…but I was wrong. The actual best natural hot springs in the US are Arizona Hot Springs. Continue reading for everything you need to know about Arizona Hot Springs.
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First and foremost, this is a fragile, unregulated trail (meaning no permits or cap on visitors are required). Therefore it is of utmost importance that you treat it with Leave No Trace Principles and leave it better than when you got there. By no means should you leave any trash including natural waste like apple cores or any type of food. Don’t put candles around the hot pools and let wax drip all over. Do not etch on the walls or forget your damn socks. These are complete eyesores for the next guests who want a pristine experience in one of the most beautiful places ever.
The Basics of Arizona Hot Springs (aka Ringbolt Hot Springs):
Distance: 6.1 Miles Loop
Elevation Gain: 1183 Feet
Total Roundtrip Time: 3.5+ hours (including 1 hour soaking time)
Rated as Difficulty (I’d call it moderate if you are an avid hiker)
Closed May 15th-September 30th due to extreme heat
These are based on my AllTrails app that tracked my hike. According to AllTrails website, the distance is 5.9 miles and 1223 feet of elevation gain. Despite AllTrails saying there is a recreation fee, my experience was that this was inaccurate. We saw nowhere to pay a fee.
I strongly recommend downloading an offline map that tracks your movement on this hike. I did AllTrails free trial and downloaded the map, then cancelled before I got charged in a week. There are a number of spur trails that could potentially get confusing without a tracking app.
How to Get to Arizona Hot Springs Trail
The parking lot for the trailhead can be found at the coordinates 35.9802° N, 114.6973° W and is considered in Willow Beach. You can type Arizona Hot Springs Trailhead into Google maps and it will be accurate. This is about 40 miles southeast of Las Vegas and the drive takes about 40 minutes. The parking area is big enough for maybe 40 vehicles and is paved, right off the freeway. So there are no limitations for what vehicle you take to get here. Wow, lots of number 40’s there haha.
About the Hike To Arizona Hot Springs
The trail leaves from the east (far) end of the parking lot and heads downhill under the big freeway bridge where you’ll see some choice graffiti. Continue on this trail, called the White Rock Canyon trail.
The trail reaches a split at 0.4 miles. If you stay on the left fork (Arizona Hot Springs Trail), that would be the clockwise route. If you stay to the right, you’ll continue on White Rock Canyon Trail to do the loop counterclockwise. Both trails will descend downhill towards the Colorado River. Be careful not to accidentally end up on the Liberty Bell Arch Trail unless you intend to.
Which Direction to Hike Arizona Hot Springs
If you read the reviews on AllTrails, there is a lot of discussion about whether to follow the loop clockwise or counterclockwise. Or even the option of out and back on either side of the loop.
Counterclockwise Route
The counterclockwise route, which seems to be the most popular, is a more gradual descent on a sandy, gravel path through beautiful slot canyons until it reaches the river at roughly the 3 mile mark (it took us 1 hour to get to the river). The river is absolutely beautiful.
Continuing to follow the trail to the left overlooking the river, the path begins to climb steeply up and down the rocks. It even gets a little technical in a couple spots where you’re using your hands to help climb up rocks but it’s nothing too difficult. The route can get a little confusing but just look for orange ribbons tied to bushes or yellow arrows to lead your way.
Very soon, after about 0.5 miles, you’ll start seeing a small stream flowing down the trail. Follow the stream upriver. It’s warm water!
You’ll come to a few little waterfalls to climb up and finally a tall, steep metal ladder.
Before you climb the ladder, consider switching to water shoes and your swim suit. Once you reach the top of the ladder, that is the first pool.
This lower pool is the coolest in temperature. Continue upstream climbing through the 4 waist-deep pools as they get successively hotter and hotter. The top couple pools are the absolute perfect temperatures.
Sandbags are piled up to divide and regulate temperate of the pools. Try not to disrupt them as you’re climbing over. There is a wide open area to put your stuff at the top of the spring in a big “room” where the water is a super hot trickle on the ground. There are plenty of dry areas on the ground to set things.
The route back on Arizona Hot Springs Trail continues in the counterclockwise direction as you exit the hot spring slot canyons. The trail is sand and gravel for a short while at a gradual incline as you ascend through more beautiful slot canyons. Eventually it becomes much steeper and the ground turns to rock so it’s easier to walk on but a more tiring climb. This is where the majority of elevation gain comes in.
Finally the trail meets back up with the initial trail when you see the bridge again. There are a couple spur trails but they’ll both lead to the initial trail. In all, it took us 3.5 hours (including about an hour of soaking) and 6.1 miles.
Pros and Cons of Each Direction
The White Rock Canyon Trail (counterclockwise) is really nice for going downhill. It’s gradual which is nice for anyone with bad knees (like myself). Descending down the clockwise route would be much steeper downhill, as shown in this picture.
The distance, however, to the hot springs from the parking lot is a little bit shorter going left on Arizona Hot Springs Trail. It’s around 2.5 miles to the start of the springs rather than 3.5, so you probably could get there a little faster. If beating people there early in the morning is your goal, this direction may be better.
The main thing people complain about with the clockwise direction is hiking back up the gradual ascent of White Rock Canyon Trail because it’s almost entirely sand/gravel as seen here.
If you’ve ever tried walking uphill in sand for an extended period of time, you know how much your calves can feel the burn. Plus, coming downhill on some of those steep sections I talked about climbing using your hands will be a little more difficult than going up as well as climbing down the metal ladder. On the other hand, if you hate walking uphill because your lungs feel like they may explode, then you may hate the counterclockwise direction more.
The overall shortest distance would be to go left (clockwise) on the Arizona Hot Springs trail as an out and back, not doing the loop. Why do I NOT recommend that? Because you’d miss out on getting all the way to the Colorado River which is absolutely stunning.
So which direction do I recommend? I’d go counterclockwise again after doing it once. The gravel going uphill for 3 miles on White Rock Canyon Trail just seems like it would be exhausting. Next time I’ll try that option though to compare.
About Arizona Hot Springs
For safety, do not put your head under water or get water in your nose. Although rare, lethal amoeba infections can occur in hot springs.
We left the parking lot around 7 am on a Monday. When we arrived to the hot springs, there were maybe 3 other people there. Over the hour we spent there, a couple people left and one or two more came. So it was pretty quiet.
The temperatures of the top spring range from 111-120 F and then go down gradually with each pool.
The best time of year to visit is October through May. Do not visit between May 15th and September 30th as the hot springs are closed due to the risk of extreme heat. Also be extremely wary of flash flooding in any canyon if there is rain or thunderstorms nearby.
Dogs are allowed on the trail. But keep in mind if you do the loop, there is the steep metal ladder you’d have to carry them up and down. Or go out and back on the clockwise route.
There is a pit toilet bathroom not far from the hot springs down by the river.
Watch out for rattlesnakes! Especially if it’s hot out.
There is little to no cell service, especially when you get into the slot canyons. We went at the very end of November and the weather was perfect. It was in the 60’s during the day which was comfortable for hiking with a t-shirt and a light jacket in the early morning. Not to mention hot springs are so much better when it’s cooler out.
Bring lots of water! Everyone’s different but I’ve read reviews where people said they drank over a gallon. Depends on the temperature. I barely drank any water the whole time and was fine. But it was cool out. And I did get lightheaded in the hot springs at one point.
Always let someone know where you’ll be and when to expect you afterwards.
The hot springs can also be accessed from the river. You can also camp at established camp spots near the river.
Don’t leave valuables in plain sight in your vehicle in the parking lot. There have been break-ins.
You may encounter nudity. Perhaps you will want to join!
What to Bring to Arizona Hot Springs
You’ll need some supplies in order to be prepared. Even though the whole hike only took us 3.5 hours, I’ve read some people say it took them upwards of 7 hours total. So depending on your ability, make sure you’re prepared for the worst. Always have plenty of water, electrolytes, snacks, first aid kit, etc. Additionally, here’s some things you may forget that are helpful:
- Hiking Shoes Plus Water Sandals
These are mine and the Tevas I bring everywhere with me. They were perfect for the hot springs.
I strapped my lightweight Teva sandals to my backpack when I wasn’t wearing them. When I switched into my sandals at the bottom of the ladder, I strapped my hiking shoes to my backpack and held it above my head in the springs till I could put it down.
- Sunscreen, Hat, Sunglasses
Although it may seem obvious, much of the trail is extremely exposed and can get very hot.
- Swimsuit (or not)
- Quick dry towel
These take up less space and aren’t heavy. They help just to dry your feet off to put socks and shoes back on.
- Camera and dry bag
Here’s mine, just cause people often ask. If you want to take pictures, it’s a good idea to have your camera or phone in a waterproof bag just to be safe. You could accidentally drop the backpack in the water. This is the one I use for my camera and phone and I love them.
- Clothing Layers
Temps can fluctuate a lot in the desert. I went from a t-shirt to a light puffy jacket and back again a few times.
Where to Stay Near Arizona Hot Springs
If you’re not like me and have a van to camp in the parking lot, there are some nearby hotels not far from the trail head.
The Best Western Hoover Dam or Boulder Dam Hotel are well rated and only about 15 minutes away. Even closer is the Hoover Dam Lodge and Casino about 8 minutes away.
The other alternative is if you happen to be staying in Las Vegas, you’re only about 45 minutes from the hot springs.
I hope you enjoyed this post on Arizona Hot Springs! Enjoy your visit, and remember to treat the place with great respect.
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