Arizona Hot Springs Trail

How to Get There

From Las Vegas (35 mi): Take US-93 S from Las Vegas toward Hoover Dam, continue past Boulder City, and park at the Arizona Hot Springs Trailhead just south of the dam off the highway.

Overview

The Arizona Hot Springs Trail descends into a stark and untamed desert landscape where volcanic rock, narrow washes, and steep canyon walls define the terrain. Beginning as a broad path through arid plains, the route gradually funnels into a dramatic canyon that leads toward the Colorado River. Along the way, hikers encounter a constantly shifting environment—from sun-baked gravel washes to shaded canyon corridors—culminating in a striking slot canyon where warm mineral-rich water emerges from the earth. The journey is demanding, requiring navigation over rocky sections and a climb aided by a ladder near a small waterfall, but the visual contrast of rugged desert and flowing water creates a compelling and immersive experience.

At the end of the route, geothermal springs cascade through a confined canyon, forming a series of tiered pools where temperatures vary from comfortably warm to nearly scalding. These natural baths are shaped by the flow of water over rocks, creating a layered arrangement that invites visitors to sit and soak while surrounded by towering canyon walls. The combination of isolation, geological complexity, and the presence of naturally heated water offers a rare encounter with one of the desert’s hidden features, rewarding those who make the trek with both physical challenge and quiet refuge.

This article uses material from the Wikipedia articles and official tourism pages for the Arizona Hot Springs Trail, along with National Park Service and regional hiking resources, which are released under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share-Alike License 3.0.