Virgin Valley Hot Springs – Oregon-Nevada Border

Hidden in the high desert of northern Nevada, Virgin Valley Hot Springs aka Virgin Valley Warm Springs is a beautiful warm swimming pond in the midst of wild nature.

The hot springs are located near the Oregon-Nevada Border at the northeastern edge of the Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge that is well-known for its wild horses (Mustang), American pronghorn, Greater sage-grouse, California bighorn sheep, pygmy rabbit, and a wide range of migratory birds.

Sheldon is the southern part of the National Wildlife Refuge. The Hart Mountain National Antelope Refuge is located in Oregon a few miles north.

The clear emerald pond is 30 by 35 feet across and 5 feet deep with a sandy-gravel bottom. The mineral water is transferred into the pool from other hot springs at a temperature of 90°F. The natural mineral water also bubbles up from the pond's bottom.

The temperature in the pond varies from 80°F to 90°F depending on the season, air temperature, and wind. With a high hot springs flow rate, no chemical treatment of the water is required.

A concrete pad and stepladder into the pond make access easier. In the pond, you can spot fish that might nibble you. Thus, you have access to natural skin exfoliation!

The Virgin Valley Campground was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) during the Great Depression. There are a few old buildings, one of them is a bathhouse that is adjusted to the pool. The restored old structure of the historic bathhouse can be used as a changing room and as well as another opportunity to bathe taking a mineral shower. Feeding by the hot springs, two warm mineral showers in the bathhouse run non-stop 24/7. The water into the bathhouse isn't piped from the pond, but rather from the hot springs source nearby.

Sheldon and Hart Mountain National Wildlife Refuge were established in the 1930s to save populations of pronghorn, sage-grouse, bighorn sheep, and other wildlife creatures. Managed by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Sheldon Refuge encompasses over 900 square miles of the northwestern corner of Nevada.

Fishing and Boating

Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge provides opportunities for fishing. There are a few ponds and reservoirs stocked with rainbow trout.

Big Springs and Catnip Reservoir are good places to catch rainbow and cutthroat trout.

The Dufurrena complex which consists of nine ponds offers fishing for warm water fish such as largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill, and yellow perch.

Fishing in the pond at the Virgin Valley Campground is allowed for children under 12, adults over 65, and disabled people. A Nevada fishing license is required. Check current regulations for seasons, limits, and other guidelines at the Nevada Department of Wildlife.

Boats may be used on Big Springs, Catnip Reservoir, or Dufurrena Ponds. Electric motors are allowed.

Hunting

A limited number of tags are issued for seasonal (late summer and fall) hunting for mule deer, pronghorn, and bighorn sheep. Check at the Nevada Department of Wildlife

Hiking

The open terrain of the refuge provides a great opportunity for hiking but trails are not clearly defined. Hiking into remote areas provides better opportunities to spot wildlife and enjoy the beautiful scenery of the vast and rugged landscape.

Wildlife Viewing and Photography

Wildlife watching in its natural environment is a great adventure and rewarding activity. Deer, wild horse or mustang, pronghorn antelope, wild burro, sage-grouse, pygmy rabbit, waterfowl, and other desert creatures. The best time to encounter animals is the early mornings and late evening when they are more active. Good-quality spotting scope or binoculars are incredibly useful for observing wildlife at a distance across the great expanse of the desert.

Rock Hounding

Virgin Valley is known for a variety of opals including the black fire opal and prized black opal. A maximum of seven pounds of rocks may be collected per day for personal use only, except in the Virgin Valley Mining District which covers 67,000 acres of refuge lands. Surface collecting only, no digging. Removing artifacts, arrowheads, petroglyphs, and plants is prohibited.

Several mines offer opal hunting for a fee. One of the fee sites is the Royal Peacock Opal mine, located eight miles from the Virgin Valley Hot Springs.

Note: Fire opal is famous for its many hues, with the unique brilliant fire. A fee site, the Royal Peacock Opal mine is located eight miles from the Virgin Valley Hot Springs.

Other Soaking Opportunities

Soaking is available in the much hotter Bog Hot Springs, 23 miles west.

Also, check Dyke Hot Springs that can be found 63 miles southeast.

From the Denio Junction,

• Travel 25 miles west on NV-140 to Virgin Valley Road (Virgin Valley and Royal Peacock Mine sign)
• Turn left onto Virgin Valley Road (graded dirt road) and continue about 2.5 miles to the campground.

From Lakeview,

• Head east on Highway OR-140 for 65 miles to the Oregon-Nevada border
• Continue 19.2 miles onto Highway NV-140 to Virgin Valley Road (Virgin Valley and Royal Peacock Mine sign)
• Turn right onto Virgin Valley Road (graded dirt road) and continue about 2.5 miles to the campground.

Phone: 775-941-0199

GPS: N 41°51.168', W 119°0.116' | 41.852800, -119.001930