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From the website Ultimate Hot Springs Guide:
There is dispersed camping along the road to the springs.
General Description: 12 Mile Hot Springs is also know as Bishop Creek Hot Springs. The hot springs is free and named because it is 12 miles north of Wells. Nevada. The hot springs are a primative long man-made concrete pool 40 feet long and 3 feet deep. The source is about 105 degrees. Depending on the season the hot springs average about 100 degrees. Clothing is optional.
Location: Twelve Miles north of Wells, Nevada
Directions: From Wells, Nevada take highway 93 North. Continue onto N Metropolis Rd 4.9 mi Continue straight 0.9 mi
Continue onto County Rd/Upper Metropolis Rd. Continue to follow County Rd. 3.1 mi Turn right 1.9 mi1es to 12 Mile Hot Springs
This place is very difficult to access! Plan on hiking through mud. Very dirty. Not worth it. I do not recommend!!
From the highway the hot spring is 1.9 miles. It took us 20 minutes to drive 2 miles.
1/3 of the road is passable but more than half of the road you need 4 wheel drive.
I can’t tell what is BLM land vs private. However bordering the fire road is a private owner cattle grazing so be respectful.
When we started down the unmaintained dirt road, after 150 yards we had to back up the whole way because a regular car tried to make it, but the craters were to deep. There are basically 3 places in 2 miles to turn around, so if you meet another vehicle, someone is backing up.
Most of the craters are 7 to 16 inches deep. (We measured them) Our clearance was 18 inches and twice one of our wheels was spinning free in the air.
There are a couple new paths being developed, but they are about 20 feet high and a 30% slope. Translated, you need a 4 wheel drive and your vehicle has got to have the torque to get up the hill and slow you down coming down on the other side.
Before getting to the spring, there is a creek to cross. In August it was about 25 ft across and 10 inches deep. The other side was a bit tricky because it has an 8 inch bump to get over or a slope with mini craters to drive thru. Take your pick. Either way any contents in your vehicle will get thrown around.
At the spring, there is 1 place to turn around.
It you have an extended length sprinter or extended cab truck with an 8 foot bed or a full length suburban, good luck. If others are there, be prepared to back up. If you’re by yourself it’s doable.
On the way to the spring there are 2 places you could camp. At the spring there are about 3 spots to camp. Tents make it easier.
There was a Chevy 4 wheel drive PU across the creek. We parked before the creek.
There wasn’t any space for us to have a fire or set up our outdoor kitchen if we allowed space for a car to go by. Good thing we arrived late (8:30PM) and left early (8:00 AM).
As for the hot spring. It’s is nicely kept. No garbage. (Thx all). The water has a light sulphuric smell. The temperature was about 99 - 101 depending on where you sat. The entrance point for the hot water is in the shallow area. The deeper area was cooler.
It is a cool place. I don’t know if I’d do it again unless I was staying for 3-4 days but then there is the people thing. Glad I did it. Glad not to do it again.
My husband, myself and our 5 week old son stopped here on our way home from las vegas. It was an amazing experience and wish we could have stayed longer. The water was a little hot for myself and the weather was around 88° so I was just a little over heated. I will be comin back in the fall and will be stopping here to soak! The last 2 miles of the trip is very rocky, washed out, huge ruts and holes and very narrow. So I suggest taking a 4x4 or atv. I have a jeep and it was no problem. Definitely worth the trip. Located just off interstate in a little town called wells nv, 15 minute drive from the love's in wells. I can't wait to show our daughters when we go back in October!
The road is absolutely impassable unless you have at least 18" of clearance. I've been coming here for years, and this is the first time I've had to turn back with my SUV. I parked at the entrance and walked the 2 miles to the spring.
