The Lake Mead Recreation Area is an enormous outdoor wilderness that spans 1.5 million acres, including mountains, canyons, valleys, two lakes, and two states. Discovering and exploring all the area has to offer is a journey you’ll never forget. And the following hidden hot spring is a discovery you’re sure to talk about and remember for years to come.
Firstly, you'll not only want, but also need to wait until at least October to take the hike to this hidden hot spring. The access road is often closed for periods from May to the end of September due to excessive heat conditions.
But as the heat subsides, the National Park Service reopens the road, and you'll find a roomy parking lot at the trail head. (We'll post a link to the location at the end of this article.)
The hike to the hot spring, called Ringbolt Hot Springs, is a relentless three mile, one-way, trek. It involves a steady drop in elevation, which can be deceiving in warmer months. That's one of the reasons the NPS closes the road during the summer.
Also, if you have a fear of heights, you should know about this technical move you'll have to make as you make your descent into the canyon. If ladders bother you, then you may want to skip this hike.
It's a total elevation change of a little more than 1,100 feet getting to and from Ringbolt Hot Springs. You'll eventually make your way all the down to the Colorado River on the full loop this trail makes.
Some say this hidden hot spring is clothing optional, so be prepared to possibly see a little more skin than you'd expected. Also, bring more drinking water than you think you need. Temps down in the canyon can be much warmer than at the trail head.
Now that you know a little more about this hidden hot spring in Arizona, will you be among the few that try and visit once October rolls around? We’d love to know…
The trail for Arizona Hot Spring (a.k.a. Ringbolt Hot Spring) is located near Willow Beach, Arizona. You’ll find a map to the parking lot here, and a look at the trail loop here.
