The Best Hot Spring Near Las Vegas Is A Breathtaking Secret Canyon Hike In Arizona

You may not see many seasonal changes when fall comes to the Las Vegas area, but one thing that in-the-know locals eagerly look forward to? The annual October opening of the trail to Ringbolt Hot Springs (more commonly called the Arizona Hot Springs). Just an hour and a half from the Strip, past the Hoover Dam on Highway 93, the Arizona Hot Springs are a favorite escape to nature for locals and visitors, where you can soak away the whole day moving among a series of different-temperature pools that cascade down a dramatic, cathedral-like slot canyon. Steps away, the brilliantly blue Colorado River serves as your cold plunge. Strap on a backpack, and you can set up camp here.

As we found on a recent trip, a day soaking in the hot springs is a tremendous way to unwind after backpacking the Grand Canyon rim to rim if your drive home takes you that way. The trailhead is also about an hour from the spectacular hiking trails of another Arizona gem — Valley of Fire State Park. As much of this trail travels over sand or rock, it can be hard to follow, so using an app like Alltrails or Gaia GPS to keep you from straying, especially when you're tired and thirsty, is a good idea. You can't really get lost-lost, but a few wrong turns can add to your mileage on a trail that's already hard enough.

You'll park in a spacious lot, then take the trail under the highway and follow the trail west toward the river. This trail is a lollipop loop, so after what feels like a long, exposed hike along a wide, sandy wash, you'll see two ways to go. One fork leads up over a hill to the top of the hot springs while the other, prettier leg takes you first to the river, then along to the bottom of the springs. Having hiked it in both directions, there is no question which is the better route: Take the uphill fork on the left going in and save the shallower ascent up a delightful slot canyon with a sandy bottom for the return trip.

The trail to Arizona Hot Springs is one of the strenuous local hikes that the Lake Mead National Recreation Area began to close down completely in the hot summer months (from May 15 through September 30) in 2014, when 37 incidents on this and another trail led to three deaths. Hydration is absolutely vital. So, in winter, spring, or fall, strap on a CamelBak with at least a couple of liters of water, and wear light, loose clothing that covers you up. Also note that this is not a family-friendly hike, both because of the difficulty and exposure and because the clothing-optional hot springs have an adult vibe. However, the nudity is far from universal, so you shouldn't feel uncomfortable keeping your suit on.

The springs have been formed into a series of terraced geothermal pools using sandbags, and each one is a little cooler, so you can keep moving until you find your Goldilocks temperature. The smallest is quite scalding, so you may want to dip in and out of that one for therapeutic effect. At certain times of day, the sun slices down through the slot canyon in a way that is hauntingly cathedral-like. You'll feel you're in a sacred temple; in a way, you are, as this site has significance for the native peoples who have long inhabited the area.

When you're ready for your cold plunge, the far end of the spring ends with a steep wall, a waterfall, and a permanently fixed 20-foot ladder you must climb down to follow a meandering path. When you reach the Colorado River, you'll see a pretty little horseshoe cove framed in red rocks. The water is impossibly clear and blue and very, very cold. There may be touring kayaks beached on the river and kayakers setting up camp, and it's a vigorous 7-mile paddle upstream from the put-in spot at Willow Beach (one of the most beautiful beaches in Arizona). If your paddling skills are expedition-worthy, this is a great way to travel to the hot springs. Once you've plunged into the bracing cold of the Colorado, you'll be ready to tackle the return up a winding, red and gold slot canyon so gorgeous you'll barely mind trudging through sand slugging back water that tastes way better than any cocktail that may be waiting for you back in Vegas.