Due to heat surging deep underneath the earth, California and Nevada are home to a huge variety of hot spring resorts and primitive pools. Within 2.5 hours of Truckee’s central location near the mountains, prospective hot spring soakers have access to six different stunning hot springs.
Truckee, California, a beautiful town on the edge of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, is a mountain lover’s paradise. Visitors have perfect access to all of the outdoor activities. On the opposite, the eastern edge of the Sierra Nevadas is Reno, NV, which provides a gateway to the same playground. The massive Lake Tahoe lies south of and -in-between both Truckee and Reno.
If coming from the southwest cities, consider camping in between at one of these campsites east of Sacramento, or stay camp closer to Truckee. During the winter, there are numerous ski resorts by Truckee to visit, and combining a ski trip with a hot spring soak is a truly magical experience.
Ranging from high-class resorts featuring all sorts of luxurious amenities to bare-bone, primitive hot springs in the mountain wilderness, the hot springs near Truckee, California are fit for all types of travelers.
Here is a list of the best hot springs near Truckee, CA and Reno, NV:
Sierra Hot Springs Resort – Sierraville, CA
The Siera Hot Springs Resort is an oasis of relaxation and introspection situated approximately 30 minutes from Truckee, right outside the Tahoe National Forest, in Sierraville, California. While it may not be as luxurious as some, this resort is perfect for visitors hoping for a rich history of healing.
The most impressive part of Sierra Hot Springs Resort is the large Temple Dome. This dome, which covers one of the resort’s geothermal pools, is full of stained-glass windows that are truly a stunning sight to see while relaxing in the 105°F pool. The resort also offers a variety of slightly cooler pools as well as individual, indoor soaking tubs.
Additionally, Sierra Hot Springs Resort features a varied massage program offering all sorts of traditional and eclectic massage techniques.
For those guests hoping to turn their visit into an overnight stay, Sierra Hot Springs Resort has camping spots and a small lodge featuring five private rooms as well as a shared kitchen. This is also where guests will find the resort’s restaurant, the Philosophy Café.
An interesting component of Sierra Hot Springs Resort is the wide variety of seminars and programs offered throughout the year. The resort sometimes has yoga classes, open-mic nights, or even drum circles celebrating the lunar cycle. Overall, the beautiful scenery and introspective environment created by the facilities and programs make this one of the top hot springs resorts in the area.
Steamboat Hot Springs – Reno, NV
Steamboat Hot Springs is a registered historic landmark located right outside Reno, Nevada, just 45 miles from Truckee. A site with a rich history dating back to the nineteenth century, this healing center is a full-service spa with a focus on natural treatments aimed to restore balance to the body and mind.
Geothermally heated mineral water emerges from a source before being pumped to the resorts’ seven private tubs and larger spa. Aimed at providing a secluded and relaxing experience, these seven tile-lined personal tubs are indoor. Outside, there’s a larger, additional pool that can fit multiple guests surrounded by the property’s garden.
The primary draw of Steamboat Hot Springs Healing Center & Spa is the abundance of restorative treatments and massages. One popular service is the Ayurvedic Healing, which includes both a bath in the resort’s healing mineral waters and a sixty-minute massage.
Additionally, Steamboat Hot Springs offers Sonatherapy, a unique treatment involving sound, light, and color. Finally, for those that prefer a more traditional experience, the resort has various typical massage packages.
If these unique offerings aren’t enough, Steamboat Hot Springs also offers an abundance of classes and workshops including guided yoga lessons and mindfulness classes. Basically, Steamboat Hot Springs is one of the best places in the Truckee region for combining relaxing hot springs, healing treatments, and thoughtful classes in one beautiful place.
It should be mentioned that there are no lodging facilities at the hot springs for those hoping to spend the night. Luckily, Steamboat’s close proximity to Truckee makes it a great choice for those hoping for a relaxing day trip in the midst of Truckee’s exciting outdoor activities.
1862 David Walley’s Resort – Gardnerville, NV
Unlike the previous two resorts, which focused on introspection and healing, 1862 David Walley’s Resort, also known as David Walley’s Resort, is a more luxurious take on the hot springs experience.
David Walley’s Resort in Genoa, Nevada features five relaxing, geothermal hot spring tubs ranging from 98 to 104°F. If that’s not enough, there is also a larger, traditional heated pool in the same area. Additionally, the resort boasts multiple game rooms, communal charcoal and gas grills, and a fully stocked marketplace.
David Walley’s has a variety of luxurious accommodations like the one-bedroom villa with a sprawling room that features a private balcony.
Besides the rooms, the resort’s on-site 1862 Restaurant & Saloon combines fine-dining dishes like exquisitely prepared steaks with beautiful mountain views in a historical wooden lodge. The menu is diverse, and all types of guests should be able to find something to enjoy.
David Walley’s Resort could be considered the opposite of many of the hot springs resorts found in the area. Instead of focusing on the wilderness, like some of the more primitive springs, this resort focuses on providing guests with every imaginable amenity.
Carson Hot Springs Resort – Carson City, NV
Carson Hot Springs Resort is a simple, no-frills resort located only an hour away from Truckee, California in Carson City, Nevada. Like many of the other hot springs on this list, Carson Hot Springs Resort has a detailed history going back at least as far as the mid-nineteenth century.
The natural mineral water at Carson Hot Springs Resort is famous for its healing properties, and it’s said that it can lead to improved skin conditions and overall body relaxation due to the unique combination of minerals. The large, outdoor pool hovers around 98° F, give or take a few degrees due to the season, and it’s surrounded by a large patio from which guests can relax and enjoy their visit.
Inside the resort’s main building, guests will find a collection of private indoor pools where the water is warmer and clothing is optional. There is an additional fee to access these private pools and visitors are given access to the resort for two hours.
Besides the pools, Carson Hot Springs Resort features a restaurant and brewery serving eclectic foods and local beers. Additionally, the restaurant has a stage and dance floor where live music is often played. There is no lodging available at the resort, so guests must either book a room at one of the many nearby hotels in Carson City.
While Carson Hot Springs Resort may not be the fanciest hot springs resort around, its abundance of private pools, a restaurant, on-site brewery, and close location to Truckee make it one of the best hot springs to visit for a short trip.
CLOSED! Grover Hot Springs State Park – Markleeville, CA
Due to the Tamarack Fire in July 2021 Grover Hot Springs remains closed to the public!
Set on the eastern edge of the stunning Sierra Nevada mountains, and just 75 miles from Truckee, Grover Hot Springs State Park is perfect for those visitors hoping for a more laid-back, scenic hot springs experience.
While it may be a bit further from Truckee than some of the other springs, Grover Hot Springs State Park also features a variety of beautiful trails, making it ideal for soakers who also love to hike.
Due to a chemical reaction that occurs from the minerals present in the spring water combining with a cleaning agent, the two pools at the state park often appear green from a distance. Despite how this may look, this water is perfectly safe to be in, so visitors shouldn’t hesitate to enjoy the 105°F soaking pool or the larger, cooler recreational pool. Besides the pools, this area of the park also contains changing rooms and restrooms.
For those visitors hoping to extend their visit into the night, there is a sizeable campground available nearby with hot showers and firewood for purchase. During the busy season, reservations are required, but during the rest of the year, the campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis.
Ultimately, Grover Hot Springs State Park is the ideal soaking spot that combines relaxing hot springs, great camping options, and access to the beautiful Sierra Nevada mountains via an abundance of trails with varying difficulty levels. Grover Hot Springs is not luxurious, but it’s a great choice for those searching for a more primitive hot springs experience with some amenities.
Travertine Hot Springs – Bridgeport, CA
Besides being the furthest hot spring from Truckee, Travertine Hot Springs is also unique for being the most primitive. There are little to no amenities, but the breathtaking views of the Sierra Nevada mountains combined with the undeveloped nature of this hot spring make it a perfect choice for those who are searching for a wilderness escape.
Travertine Hot Springs is composed of five mineral water pools. Geothermally heated mineral water comes to the surface of the pools at 180°F before cooling to a reasonable temperature for soaking. Unlike most hot spring pools in the area, the pools at Travertine Hot Springs are mud-lined, and many guests choose to coat themselves in this mud to enhance their experience and harness its healing abilities.
No camping is allowed in the direct vicinity of the springs, but guests are welcome to set up camp at any of the pullouts on the dirt road leading to the parking area. Just like the springs themselves, this is primitive camping, and there are no amenities except a small outhouse, so campers should come prepared with what they need.
Though primitive, the untouched nature of Travertine Hot Springs makes it worth the trek from Truckee. With that being said, the springs are often very crowded, especially on weekends and holidays, so visitors should aim to enjoy the mud-lined pools during the week to avoid the busy weekend crowds.
Those are among the closest hot springs to Truckee! There are plenty more California hot springs and Nevada hot springs to discover on your journey in the American West!
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