Plan an RV trip to Nevada’s hot springs, with Reno and Las Vegas pickup depots, prices, drive times and soak safety tips.
Most rental depots sit in Reno or Las Vegas, both of which work as a base depending on which springs you are heading to.
| Operator | Depot address | City |
|---|---|---|
| Cruise America | 465 S Rock Blvd, Sparks, NV 89431 | Reno area |
| Cruise America | 551 N Gibson Rd, Henderson, NV 89142 | Las Vegas area |
| El Monte RV | 3800 Boulder Hwy, Las Vegas, NV 89121 | Las Vegas |
| Road Bear RV | 3800 Boulder Hwy, Las Vegas, NV 89121 | Las Vegas |
El Monte RV and Road Bear RV share the same Las Vegas depot address, so it is worth comparing both fleets and rates even though pickup happens at one site. Reno is the better base for springs in the northern and central desert, such as those near Austin or the Black Rock Desert, while Las Vegas suits springs closer to the Colorado River and southern Nevada. For a broader look at RV rental options across the United States, the destination guide covers depot networks by region. See the full brand line-up on the Our Suppliers page.
Cruise America has the widest depot coverage in Nevada, with locations in both Reno and Las Vegas, which makes one-way and loop routes easier to plan. El Monte RV runs a large Class C fleet out of Las Vegas and is a common choice for road trips heading north through central Nevada. Road Bear RV operates from the same Las Vegas depot as El Monte and tends to run a newer fleet, worth checking if availability differs. Indie Campers USA has a smaller footprint in Nevada but is worth comparing for campervan-style layouts rather than full-size motorhomes, which suit rougher access roads better.
Indicative nightly rates for a Class C motorhome or campervan in Nevada, which vary by season, vehicle size and how far ahead you book.
| Vehicle size | Nightly rate (USD) | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Campervan (2 berth) | $120-$180 | Solo travellers, couples, rough access roads |
| Class C motorhome (4-6 berth) | $180-$280 | Families, small groups |
| Class A motorhome (6+ berth) | $250-$400 | Larger groups, less suited to dirt roads |
Smaller vehicles with more ground clearance are generally the better choice for hot springs access roads, even though nightly rates run a little higher than the largest motorhomes. Not sure which vehicle size suits your group? The guide on choosing the right motorhome size for a family of four covers the practical trade-offs between sizes. Check live availability and current quotes on the Bookings page.
Spencer Hot Springs, near Austin in central Nevada, sits about 19 miles off Highway 50 down a dirt access road and is reachable in most vehicles when the road is dry. It is roughly 3 hours 20 minutes from Reno and 4 hours 30 minutes from Las Vegas, making it a natural midpoint stop on a longer loop. The springs sit on BLM land, are free to visit, and have no facilities, so plan to be fully self-sufficient.
Trego Hot Springs, in the Black Rock Desert near Gerlach, is about 2 hours north of Reno via Interstate 80 and NV-447, then a further stretch on unpaved Jungo Road. This one pairs naturally with a Burning Man trip, since it sits close to the Black Rock Desert playa. Note that the BLM has issued a water contamination advisory for this spring covering E. coli and other bacteria, so check the latest BLM guidance before deciding whether to soak here at all.
Gold Strike Hot Springs, near Boulder City, is about 37 minutes from Las Vegas and reached by a canyon hike rather than a drive, so plan to park the RV at the trailhead. It involves some scrambling and is best avoided in summer when canyon temperatures climb well past 100°F. For tips on managing heat inside the van during warmer months, see the guide to keeping a campervan cool in summer.
A Nevada hot springs trip works well as a standalone weekend from Reno or Las Vegas, but it also slots into a longer southwest road trip. From Las Vegas, the route south into Arizona connects to Kings Canyon in California via Death Valley or the Sierra Nevada, and travellers heading east can pick up the Albuquerque and Santa Fe RV road trip from northern Nevada or via Interstate 40 through Arizona. The Tulsa and Route 66 RV guide covers the full cross-country corridor that passes through the southwest on its way between Chicago and Los Angeles.
Travellers timing a hot springs loop around an event in the region have several options. Burning Man in late August sits on the same Black Rock Desert as Trego Hot Springs. EDC Las Vegas in mid-May works as a pre-trip or post-trip event for anyone picking up from the Las Vegas depot. The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta in October is reachable in a day’s drive from central Nevada, and the California desert events, Coachella and Stagecoach in April, and Outside Lands in San Francisco later in the summer, are all within practical range of the Reno or Las Vegas depots. Browse the full calendar on the Events page.
Standard RV rental inclusions cover basic kitchen equipment, bedding, a toilet and shower on self-contained models, and roadside assistance. Solar panels, extra battery capacity and higher ground clearance are not standard on every vehicle, and are worth requesting specifically given how much of a Nevada hot springs trip happens off paved roads.
Spring and autumn are the best seasons for Nevada’s hot springs, when daytime desert heat has eased but the water still feels good against cool mornings and nights. Winter can work if roads are dry and the van is set up for cold nights, since several springs sit at elevation and can see snow. Summer soaking is best limited to sunrise, late afternoon or after dark, since daytime desert temperatures can make both the drive and the soak itself uncomfortable.
Test any spring’s temperature gradually before getting in, since source water at several Nevada springs runs well above safe bathing temperature. Skip soaps and shampoos in the water, avoid altering pools or building dams, and set up camp well away from the water itself, even where other campers have set up closer. Some springs carry specific bacterial or safety advisories from the BLM at different times, so it is worth checking current conditions for your chosen spring before you go rather than relying on older trip reports. For a broader look at the differences between camping on public land and staying at a serviced campground, see the guide on freedom camping vs festival campgrounds.
Do I need a 4WD vehicle to reach Nevada’s hot springs?
Not always. Spencer Hot Springs is reachable by most vehicles on a dry dirt road, while others like Trego benefit from higher clearance. Check road conditions for your specific spring before heading out.
Is it safe to soak in all of Nevada’s hot springs?
No. Some springs, including Trego Hot Springs, have active BLM advisories around water contamination, and conditions can change. Check current BLM guidance for your chosen spring before soaking.
Where do I pick up an RV for a Nevada hot springs trip?
Reno and Las Vegas both have rental depots, with Reno better suited to northern and central Nevada springs and Las Vegas better suited to southern ones.
How much does an RV rental cost for a Nevada trip?
Expect roughly USD 120 to USD 400 a night depending on vehicle size, with smaller vans generally better suited to rough access roads despite the higher per-foot cost.
What is the best time of year for Nevada hot springs?
Spring and autumn offer the most comfortable combination of daytime temperatures and water conditions. Summer soaking is best done at sunrise, late afternoon or after dark.
Are there facilities at Nevada’s natural hot springs?
Most are undeveloped, with no toilets, water or rubbish services, so plan to carry everything you need and pack out everything you bring in.
Can I camp directly next to a hot spring?
No. Camp well away from the water itself, even if other visitors have set up closer, to protect the spring and the surrounding area.
How far is Spencer Hot Springs from Reno and Las Vegas?
About 3 hours 20 minutes from Reno and 4 hours 30 minutes from Las Vegas.
Can I combine a hot springs trip with Burning Man?
Yes, Trego Hot Springs sits close to the Black Rock Desert playa and pairs naturally with a Burning Man trip, though check the current BLM water advisory before soaking there.
Do I need to book an RV rental far in advance for a hot springs trip?
Booking a few weeks ahead is generally enough outside of peak events like Burning Man, though availability tightens in spring and autumn when demand for Nevada RV trips is highest.
Compare RV and campervan options from Reno and Las Vegas depots, filter by ground clearance, solar and battery setup, and book through Event Campers. New to RV travel? The Getting Started page covers the basics, and the How It Works page explains the comparison and booking process. If you are building a bigger Nevada loop around the Black Rock Desert, pair this with the Burning Man RV rentals and campervan guide for pickup hubs, packing lists and self-reliance basics. Questions first? Check the FAQs.
