Arizona Hot Springs: Las Vegas Nevada ~ Adventures in Southern California

Arizona Hot Springs Hike near Las Vegas

Arizona Hot Springs is a moderate to strenuous 5 mile roundtrip hike located near the Hoover Dam. The trailhead is only about a 45 minute drive from the Las Vegas Strip. The Arizona Hot Springs hike is one of the best hikes in the Las Vegas area and has a great slot canyon, several hot springs which are great for soaking, a small waterfall, a 20 foot ladder, and ends at a beautiful section of the Colorado river. You can turn the Arizona Hot Springs hike into a loop by circling back on the White Oak Canyon trail. I have provided a map below for reference. Regardless of which direction you take, both trails end up at the Colorado River.

Arizona Hot Springs Trail

There are some safety precautions you want to consider on this hike, so you’ll want to read on. I don’t want to dissuade you from doing this hike, but you want to be careful.

Warnings:

Do not attempt this hike is the temperature outside is 90 degrees or hotter

Bring a gallon of water person.

Don’t attempt this hike if it’s raining due to flash flood risks in the slot canyon

Don’t submerge your head in the hot springs

Don’t enter the hot springs if you have any open cuts

Don’t attempt to carry your pet down the 20-foot ladder

Bring suntan lotion

Arizona Hot Springs Map

This hike can get absolutely scorching in the summer and all the way through September. I would not even attempt it unless the temperature was below 80. This hike is often 10-20 degrees hotter than the temperature on the strip. The first section of the hike follows a dry river wash is completely exposed to the sun, so you’ll want to wear sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat. As with any slot canyon, you’ll want to avoid this hike in the very rare occasion that it rains.

The Hot Springs are amazing. There are several pools which are separated by sand bags. The first pool is so hot that most people can’t even sit in them. I would limit my soaking time to 15 minutes in the first pool. The hot springs can be breeding ground for bacteria and amoebas. Don’t get in the water if you have any open cuts and you should never submerge your head or nose under the water.

Dogs are allowed on the Arizona Hot Springs Hike, but the 20 foot ladder is impassable unless you choose to carry your dog and climb down at the same time. I strongly recommend not attempting this because the climb is difficult even without a pet because the ladder is narrow, wet and completely vertical. There have been numerous accidents in the past with pets.