If you need a safe, socially-distant adventure to escape the craziness of 2020 and beyond, you might want to consider checking out the 12 Mile Hot Springs in Nevada.
With everything that has been going on in the world lately (I’m looking at YOU, 2020), it’s understandable that I was itching for an adventure.
I wanted to make sure that I stayed safe and was able to stay socially distant from others, while still being able to break the string of monotony that these last few months have brought on.
While most of Utah heads south to get away, I prefer to look north, east, and in this case, west. I started researching hot springs in northern Nevada and wasn’t disappointed.
The whole state of Nevada is peppered with hidden crystal-clear hot springs, most of them severely isolated.
Nothing is more relaxing than soaking in a natural hot spring in the middle of the mountains, completely surrounded by nature and little else.
12 Mile Hot Springs (or Bishop Creek Hot Springs) is located in northeastern Nevada and was exactly what I was looking for: isolated, beautiful, and free.
The pictures I found displayed crystal clear waters nestled in a green valley in the Humboldt Mountains, alongside the Humboldt River.
The journey to the 12 Mile Hot Springs was definitely part of the adventure – driving through open spaces, over dirt roads and fording through a river.
But I’ll go over more of that below.
I must admit, there were times on my trek to the 12 Mile Hot Springs when I thought Indiana Jones was going to come riding out of the canyon on horseback.
Sadly, it didn’t happen.
Hot Springs Etiquette
Before we delve into the particulars about visiting 12 Mile Hot Springs, let’s talk about hot spring etiquette.
While most of the world has turned to (safely) exploring their own backyard, there’s been a definite upswing to the crowds that congregate in the wild.
Here are a few things to keep in mind when visiting any hot springs – and will hopefully help you avoid any awkward situations.
Leave No Trace
There have been articles, videos, and content created to teach us all about the Leave No Trace principles. In a nutshell, leave a place better than how you found it.
For more information, check out this awesome article and learn about the 7 basic guidelines we should all follow to protect our wild backyards.
Don’t Pee in the Hot Springs
For the love, DON’T be that person! Hot water does something to our bodies, so empty yourself out before you visit. If nature calls, hop out of the springs and walk far away before you relieve yourself.
Be Mindful of Others
Remember that even if you were there “first,” you don’t own the hot springs. Be welcoming to others that are visiting.
Keep the noise to a minimum so people can enjoy where they are. Many people visit hot springs to relax and let their stress melt away. If you’re not alone, maybe keep your speakers and music put away.
While it’s okay to be social in the hot tub, remember that not everyone is comfortable with people swimming up to them and engaging in conversation. Feel out the vibe and when in doubt, smile and wave from a distance.
If you have a camera, be courteous of others around you. Keep it turned off and put away until you’re alone, or until you get the okay from the others around you. This includes drones.
Handling Nudity at a Hot Spring
While most soakers at a hot tub opt for some kind of swim suit or activewear, there are those who prefer to go au natural at a hot spring.
More power to you, if that’s the route you want to go. But please be modest, understanding that not everyone will be as comfortable with nudity as you. If there are children around, please rethink your birthday suit.
Some hot springs, especially in the backcountry and remote areas of the world, nudity is more common. However, it might be illegal at other locations.
For those who choose to be clothed, please be respectful to those aren’t. Don’t point or stare. Use common courtesy and just be a decent person in general.
Kids at Hot Springs
If you choose to bring your children to a hot spring, please keep in mind that many visitors soak to relax. Introducing kids to hot springs can be a fun activity for them, but be courteous to those around you.
There is nothing more annoying than trying to enjoy the hot springs while little kids are running around, splashing, throwing toys, and treating the springs like a recreational pool. Especially after a long trek to the location.
Directions to 12 Mile Hot Springs
With any location that is remote, visitors shouldn’t rely on strong cell service. Printed or hand-written directions (or even a screenshot) can help ensure that visitors reach the destination.
That being said, I have Verizon and had service the entire time I visited the 12 Mile Hot Springs in July 2020.
Follow these simple steps to get to the 12 Mile Hot Springs. Keep in mind that most of the directions are a scootch adventurous:
- Plug in the city of “WELLS” into your GPS of choice, located off of I-80 in northeastern Nevada.
- Head north towards 8th street. If you can’t find it, just drive around the main part of town for a bit. You’ll stumble upon it.
- Follow 8th street north, driving along the railroad tracks as it leads you out of town.
- Drive approximately 9 miles on the paved road, passing through open ranges (watch out for cattle).
- After about 9 miles, the road will turn 90* to the left. Instead of following the turn to the left, take the dirt road directly to the right.
- Head down this road for about 2 miles until you reach the springs.
Road Conditions to 12 Mile Hot Springs
Getting to the 12 Mile Hot Springs requires either really good walking shoes or a high clearance vehicle. The last 2 miles to the hot spring is across some of the worst road conditions I have ever seen.
I was cocky and didn’t heed the warnings I received about the high clearance vehicle. I had taken my Honda Civic off-roading before and thought it would suffice this trek.
Nope.
I’m not a nervous driver. I’ve driven some of the craziest roads in the world. But I was sweating the entire time I was on the dirt road.
Not only were the grooves in the road extreme, but the boulders poking out were lying in wait to pop a tire. There were paths that lead around some of the worse sections of road, but they were clearly carved out for ATVs.
I attempted a few of these as I avoided washed out parts of the road. But even then, the plants growing between the treads of the road scrapped the undercarriage of my car, bare and vulnerable from a previous off-roading adventure.
5 MPH was too fast for this road, and there were times when my car was almost sideways as I avoided some of the bigger potholes.
Unless you have a Jeep, Hummer, truck, high clearance SUV, consider parking at the start of the dirt road and walking the 2 miles to the hot spring.
(On my way back, I stopped and talked to a couple that were walking to the hot springs. They had a truck and decided even then it was too treacherous of a drive for them.)
I made it about halfway down the dirt road before I decided to park and walk the rest of the way. There are sections of the road that cross the river and the road is washed out.
Take my advice and walk the last 2 miles unless you have experience off-roading and drive a high clearance vehicle. The view from the road is beautiful, so it won’t be too bad of a walk.
Have you ever visited 12 Mile Hot Springs? Have you visited any hot springs before? Would you want to?
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