Goldstrike Hot Springs
Boulder City, Nevada
Details
Distance
4.54 miles
Elevation Gain
1293 ft
Route Type
Out-and-Back
Description
Added by Kelly Park
This fun, technical hike is only 30 minutes outside of Vegas and a fairly well-kept secret. It features beautiful canyons, rock scrambling, and three picturesque hot springs -- perfect for those who love a challenge and a relaxing soak. Even locals are only just discovering this hidden gem.
The first mile is flat and deceivingly easy as you walk under a highway bridge and in between looming canyon walls. But don't get too comfortable -- at around the 1.5 mile mark you will reach the first of eight ropes along the trail and the challenge begins. You will need to use these ropes to maneuver down large rocks and boulders. There are arrows spray painted on the walls to help with direction, but if you want to attempt some bouldering, you can choose your own more challenging path.
There are three hot springs along this hike. The first spring may be dried up depending on the time of year you go. Skip soaking here and continue to the second spring which is warmer in temperature and adjacent to a cool "secret" cave (the Cave of Wonders). After testing out the waters, follow a warm stream and pass a couple of waterfalls until you reach the third hot spring. This spring is the hottest offers the best views -- the surrounding canyons provide the perfect natural hot tub setting.
If you want to continue, hike about a quarter mile down and you will reach the Colorado River. This is worth the wonderful photo opportunity. You can cool off here -- dip your toes or wade around and feel the warm spring waters merge into the cold river -- but be aware the water levels and current can change rapidly.
The hike back is challenging as you will most likely be wet or at least have wet feet so watch your step on the slippery boulders!
Note: Avoid this hike in the summer months as temperatures rise above 100 degrees and there have been many reported incidents of heat stress.
Download the Outbound mobile app
Find adventures and camping on the go, share photos, use GPX tracks, and download maps for offline use.
Get the appFeatures
Reviews
I really enjoyed the hot springs in Gold Strike canyon. I hiked in from the river and did some exploring. Great spot.
5.0
Had a blast doing this hike. It was our first hot springs hike! Like others have said, it's very exposed so bring lots of water, sunscreen and a hat. Parking was easy and free!
4.0
I love climbing on rocks. I’m not a rock climber but have always enjoyed this. But be warned- this hike is hard. I’m a little out of shape yes, but I can still always swim a mile, run a 5 k and bike 20 on any given day. While i loved the boulder scrambling and ropes - it was hard, breathtakingly hot and I was really hoping to be done with the boulder scrambling before I was done 😂. I loved it and was miserable by the end all at once. My husband and I took 8 bottles of water. I drank 3.5 and he drank 4.5 and we ran out. At the end we went to a gas station and I drank a whole water, 44 oz coke and a 32 oz Gatorade! I had little to no saliva by the end. Yes, I would do this hike again and I love the adventure of it. But please be careful, carry way more water than you estimate. Agree it’s not for pets or kids. I actually slipped off a rock once I made it to the top.
5.0
Did this hike on a Saturday in March. It was chilly early in the morning, but warmed up pretty good, so this seemed like a good time of year to go. The parking lot is just off an exit off I-11 and US-93 that has a round-about. I believe it's the US-172 interchange. Putting Gold Strike Canyon in your GPS app should get you close. The hike was really good - much better than I expected. The scramble sections are challenging. The scenery is beautiful. The hot springs were really fun. Bummer: lots of people. Some came down the canyon like I did, but there were some groups in kayaks that paddled in from the river as well. I might try a weekday if I go again.
4.0
I went in early summer when it was hot but not over 95 degrees, Goldstrike is usually closed most of the summer due to the extreme heat (Vegas people will understand). For the first mile and-a-half it was quite easy, but after a while it got more difficult with the ropes and it took some time more because it was crowded. I highly recommend going further down after the third pool to find a lovely hot waterfall and refreshing river. The walk back was exhausting after climbing so much and me, being smart (sarcasm) decided not to wait for other people pulling themselves up a rope, and jumped down about 6 ft onto a boulder and hurt my knees. So the walk back was very difficult but next time I will be slightly more careful. The only thing that I didn't like very much was how many people were there but when I found a nice spot Definitely going back again next summer, it was well worth the trip and a lot of fun.
5.0
This hike was amazing! I took my parents with me (this was their first hike) and they ended up stopping half way because of all of the climbing of rocks, I kept going and made it though the springs and to the Colorado river. It was such a sight to see and totally worth it! If you’re looking for something challenging, this is the one for you! There are ropes to help you down some of the larger rocks.
5.0
Found these hot springs on the site and had to check them out. It's not an overly-difficult trail, but there are a few challenging spots with the boulders. The hot springs are incredible! We were hot from hiking and first cliff jumped into the Colorado River to cool off (the river water is quiet freezing) and then headed back up to the hot springs. We had some friends coming out to visit in a couple days, and we liked the hike so much we went back a second time with them. The parking can get crowded but the hot springs never got too packed. 10/10 would recommend!
5.0
My second time to the Hoover Dam area I was looking for a little more adventure than the first time visiting the touristy Hoover Dam. Escape to Goldstrike! Awesome hike, that was a good challenge and adventure. Loved the Ropes set up along the trail to assist climbing over the boulders and creveses.
5.0
This hike has been on my list for awhile, and I'm so glad I was finally able to do it this weekend! The trailhead is right off of the Hoover Dam exit - take a right and park wherever. We did it during the afternoon on a Sunday, and while there were a lot of people there, they were mostly going the other way. It was actually kind of nice to come up during the late afternoon because we were in the shade; however, next time, I would definitely hike it in the morning in order to have more time down at the springs. We were surprised as to how many climbs there were, but we were able to finish it without a problem. That being said, I don't think I could have completed this hike without help - there were numerous spots where our group had to pull up one another! Highly highly recommend!
5.0
There's rope and water streams, so bring Gatorade and some comfortable shoes lol, and a hiking buddy unless your a Lone Ranger, it was tough cause I decided to freestyle a bit lol haha, not fun, but then I decided to finally hit the tourist way and it was a breeze after that, easy sort of, but there is some tough obstacles. It's not for beginners, you have to push your own weight most of the time, so be advised of that, other than that it's awesome!!! Later hikers
4.0
Leave No Trace
Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!
Nearby
Hike the Railroad Tunnel Trail
Hang out at PWC Beach in Lake Mead National Recreation Area
Hike the Boy Scout Hot Spring Trail
Relaxing at Boulder Beach
Spooky Slot Canyon
Hike to the Arizona Hot Springs
Community
Mobile Apps
© 2023 The Outbound Collective - Terms of Use - Privacy Policy