Gold Strike Hot Springs

In the Las Vegas area and searching for a little outdoor action? Head for Gold Strike Canyon Hot Springs—situated outside Historic Boulder City, about an hour from the Las Vegas Strip. The 600-foot descent into this spectacularly scenic canyon promises rewarding hot springs, but in order to reach them, visitors must be prepared for third-class scrambling and navigating eight fixed ropes that weave in and out of house-sized boulders. Alternatively, you can kayak through spectacular Black Canyon on the Colorado River. In any case, this hot springing adventure promises incredible southern Nevada recreation, wildlife, history, and a whole lot of relaxation.

Accessing the Gold Strike Canyon Hot Springs Trail

The most popular way to access the trailhead is off Highway 93. Park your vehicle in the free parking lot near the trailhead, then embark on a gravel trail that begins just before the Hoover Dam Mike O’Callaghan-Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge. From here, the trail descends down through Gold Strike Canyon all the way to the mighty Colorado River. The entirety of the Gold Strike Hot Springs trail is about two miles one way, but does incorporate a series of 20-foot rope climbs that are well beyond beginner level. Plan for about 3-4 hours of hiking and scrambling time in each direction, or a full day adventure if you really want to soak up this spring’s full potential.

Staying Safe on the Gold Strike Hike

The scenery is spectacular as you navigate enormous, red rock canyon walls, dotted with vibrant native plants and Desert Bighorn Sheep. Before the hike gets serious, visitors will find a checkpoint station equipped with water supplies and packets of salt and sugar to prevent dehydration. From here, the real work begins at the first rope descent. In total there are eight ropes you must descend to reach multiple hot spring pools at the bottom. Gold Strike Canyon is a hotbed of geothermal activity—plan to cross paths with a multitude of hot pools, grottos, and even hot waterfalls.

Once you reach the bottom, the canyon opens up to the bank of the Colorado River. Here, cliff jumping is about as perfect as it gets—plus, you can take in an unblemished view of famous Hoover Dam.