Arizona Hot Springs is a popular destination for tourists visiting the Las Vegas/Lake Mead area. It is accessible by water or land, and its multiple entry points means that it's pretty busy all the time. But if you like walking in canyon washes, taking in the desert scenery, enjoying colorful wildflowers, and finding epic viewpoints, this hike is for you.
This loop hike includes a hike in via the Hot Spring Canyon Trail and out by way of White Rock Canyon Trail. The rocky, scrambly section of "trail" between the two can be a little confusing to navigate, but you're likely to run across enough other people out there, so finding your return trail shouldn't be that much trouble.
From the busy highway parking area you'll hike under a noisy overpass and quicky find yourself enveloped in a beautiful desert scene. Flowers bring color to an otherwise drab landscape. Lizards scurry about the desert floor. Bird song fills the air. It's a delightful place.
But start early, as the mid-morning sun starts to get very hot. Once you drop down into Hot Spring Canyon you'll get a little relief. The hot spring seeps out of the canyon's walls at 30 gallons per minute. The 111-degree water is shockingly hot. As you walk down canyon, the water temperature cools to a more comfortable temperature. Sandbags placed at the edge of each little dropoff, creating soaking pools that are typically occupied by visitors. Pick your way down to an empty pool and enjoy a soak.
You may choose to hike out the way you came, but a more interesting route continues out of the canyon toward the Colorado River. You'll climb down a metal ladder with the spring water flowing down the rock wall next to you. Walk a short distance and look for a trail that climbs up and out on your right. You'll likely pass groups of people coming directly from the river because this is a popular stop on kayak and raft trips. Leave that behind and discover an incredible viewpoint over the Colorado. Hike back downhill to a small beach on the river and jump in if you dare (it's cold!). Follow the rugged trail along the river until you find White Rock Canyon. Enjoy the twists and turns of the canyon before you're spit back out onto the wide, open desert.
Be sure to bring plenty of water and sun protection on this hike. Even in the spring and fall this area can be extremely hot. Parts of the trail are completely exposed, with no shade. Time your visit wisely, and enjoy this unique hot spring.
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