Rogers Spring – Lake Mead, Nevada

Just one hour drive from Las Vegas, Rogers Spring is a desert oasis that’ll delight explorers. This Nevada springs is located on the north shore of Lake Mead, the largest man-made reservoir in the United States. Surrounded by greenery and rolling mountains, this hot spot is a great place to spend the day soaking in 82-90°F waters.

This mysterious natural pool has confused people for the last two hundred years, due to its source being unknown. While it is surrounded by the unforgiving desert, it constantly is being pumped with warm water from a mysterious source.

Visitors can reach Rogers Spring by entering the Lake Mead National Recreation Area, an area that is protected by the National Park Service, and driving around the north portion. Not only can visitors have an opportunity for a picturesque picnic, but they can enjoy the beautiful and rustic drive to the spring.

The Rogers Spring was enjoyed for many years by natives who lived in the area before farming and mining took hold. In 1903 a diversion canal project was started to bring the mineral-rich water to farmlands in the south, but due to economic reasons, it was halted. In 1928 a waterfowl refuge construction project was initiated, but after 5 years was also abandoned.

Since then, the National Park Service has been proactive in protecting Rogers Spring from adverse effects that come from nearby, large-scale groundwater pumping. As this spring has both ecological and recreational importance, it is vital to keep it in pristine condition.

Rogers Warm Spring

Image of the Rogers Spring Waterfall at Lake Mead in Nevada — Roger Springs is perfect year-round, as the water is always between 82-90°F. Photo by: James Marvin Phelps

Rogers Spring is a popular destination spot at Lake Mead as well as one of the most accessible warm springs in southern Nevada. It is right off of North Shore Rd and has a parking lot within walking distance.

When approaching the springs, take the Northshore Road, and pull off. After a very brief walk to the spring, you will see that it looks like a pond. More than fifty feet wide and about three feet deep, it is full of water heated by geothermal energy. For miles around it, all you can see is desert.

Visitors are allowed to soak in the warm water. With a temperature between 80-90° F throughout the year, it’s an extremely comfortable temperature. Palm trees provide shade over the water and create a tropical feel for the whole environment. Rogers Springs serves as a stark contrast to the vast dryness of the desert around it.

Look for all kinds of wildlife, such as cattails and tamarisk growing on the shores of the waters, and small fish swimming around. You might even get to see a turtle or two. Two types of turtles live in the spring, the spiny softshell and the red-eared slider. The water flows over a dam and creates a small scenic waterfall into a smaller pool. You’re going to want to pull out your camera to take a few shots here.

This beautiful mineral pond is surrounded by palms, making it truly feel like you have entered a desert oasis. With large, looming mountains on the horizon and a wealth of wildlife stretching before you, this relaxing warm spring has a lot to offer.

The warm pond is 75’ in diameter and 3’ deep, with a sandy bottom that is easy on the feet. The spring water that fills this wide basin fluctuates between 82°F and 90°F, depending on the outside temperature, making it great a soak any time of year. Flowing at 1,000 gallons per minute, the warm spring water gives a crystal-clear view of the pond bed.

Many small fish thrive here, swimming around you as you soak in the healing mineral water. You may even be lucky enough to have Spiney Softshell turtles or Red-eared Sliders basking on the rocks around you!

Note: It is not recommended to swim in the water, as amoeba are common in thermal pools, but it is perfectly safe to wade or soak in.

What to Know Before Going

Image of Lake Mead in Nevada, home to Rogers spring — Rogers Spring is a popular attraction to those visiting Lake Mead in Nevada. Photo by: Travel Nevada

There are signs posted by the pond that warn swimmers of the Naegleria fowleri— a bacterial amoeba living in the pond. If it were to get into your nostrils or brain, it could be dangerous. Swim at your risk. Remember to wear clothes and to keep your trash to a minimum.

The area has picnic tables, bathrooms, garbage cans, and grills, but it is still everyone’s job to make sure they keep the area as clean as they find it. There is a small, covered patio that has 3 picnic tables and 2 BBQ grills, located between the parking lot and the water. There are also pit toilets nearby.

When you stop by, bring some food and have a picnic. Enjoy this desert oddity. There are very few hot springs as close to Las Vegas as this one.

If you have a little extra time, think about stopping by another spring just a mile away: Blue Point Spring. These sibling hot springs are thought to come from the same aquifer. Though these two remain as separate springs, it is not because people have not tried to connect them.

Within the Lake Mead National Recreation Area, you will find massive mountain ranges lining the horizon, beautiful canyons to explore, and an abundance of wildlife There is an entrance fee into the Lake Mead National Recreation Area and this money goes towards helping keep the land pristine. While Rogers Spring is pet-friendly, all pets need to be leashed and should not enter the pool.

Come and get a breath of fresh air at Rogers Springs. It is the perfect place to slow down and relax in the middle of the expansive desert.