Gold Strike Hot Springs Trail is a 6 mile heavily trafficked out and back trail located near Boulder City, Nevada that features hot springs and is rated as difficult. The trail is primarily used for hiking and nature trips and is best used from October until May.
Lake Mead National Recreation Area charges a fee to enter. Fees are $25 per vehicle or $20 per motorcycle. If you are entering on foot or bike the fee is $15 per person. You can also purchase a park specific annual pass for $45. This trail is closed in the summer (May 15 - Sept 30) because it is too hot. It is also recommended you leave dogs at home. For more information, please see https://www.nps.gov/lake/learn/news/goldstrike-canyon-arizona-hot-spring-trails-summer-closure-dates.htm A strenuous hike through a wonderful canyon to some hot springs pools. This hike is one of a kind. There are 8 fixed ropes if you go all the way to the river. Some are difficult - especially when coming back up. At the 1.5 mile point of the hike, you come to the first obstacle - a large boulder with what looks like a nasty drop-off. If you look at the rock wall to your right, you'll see some steps. There is a strap here to help you down the steps. Coming back, you really don't need the strap although it will give those who want some security aid to come back up. A short distance after this, the wash opens into its widest of the hike, and several washes come together. Keep walking down and you'll come to the next rope. This goes down the left side of the rock wall and isn't too difficult to maneuver. You just need to use the rope as intended and walk down backward while moving down the rope. There is one other slight workaround in this area. There's a dry fall that some slide down. There is a blue arrow painted on the rocks to the left of the chute showing you how to walk around and down this dry fall. After you have cleared these obstacles, you arrive at what once was the Upper Goldstrike Hot Springs pools. Sadly, most have dried up. There are a few pools farther down that still have water, but you'll see the remnants of the pools that no longer have any source for filling. The rest has 5 fixed ropes, the last being a bit difficult, especially when you're coming back and you have those wet boots. This trail can be too strenuous for dogs.
You will not have cell phone reception for the hike so the guide works in getting you to the trailhead and a little beyond. After that, the route is obvious-down the canyon, and you don't need a GPS track. The GPS track from my hike is really screwed up. The distances are about right, but the route isn't as crazy as it looks. I lost satellite reception in the canyon several times, and my GPS unit just added tracks to make up where there was no reception. Photo placement is approximate. The GPS track is undependable enough so I couldn't accurately place them. There is cell phone service is isolated locations on the hike. Make sure you have a good supply of water! Two men died here of heat stroke when they hiked and soaked in the upper pools in the summer. This is a cool weather hike even though I know many do it year round. Be safe and use good judgment.
January 24, 2021Hard hike for beginners, but mainly just the climbing. The hot springs were definitely worth it tho!
January 24, 2021
January 24, 2021Great hike! Lots of tough climbs. The hot springs is so rewarding at the end!
January 23, 2021January 23, 2021January 21, 2021January 21, 2021Great night hike to see the stars and enjoy a dip in the hot spring.
January 20, 2021One of my fave hikes ever. You get colorful larger than life canyon, water, hot springs and a vast river payoff. The ropes are tricky. Some more than others!
January 20, 2021Excelente regresaré pronto
January 19, 2021Loved this trail. Definitely for the more experienced. There are I think 9 ropes in total and I believe some websites only say 4-5. Getting up and down isn’t easy on some, requires upper body strength, and if the rock is slick, you have nothing to put your foot on some you need total upper body strength or someone at the top pulling you up. Look for the mangled cars on the left after the 93 bridge, fascinating that these car wrecks have been left there. Gloves for the ropes would be handy. Not at all recommended to bring dogs or small children.
January 18, 2021January 18, 2021open not too crowded in the late evening. good trail to do at night with headlamps. hot springs were hot, weather was perfect!
January 18, 2021January 18, 2021Excellent hike! It is qualify as hard definitely, ropes gave me a hard time, I never did something like that before, but the Hot Spring and the river’s view is amazing! Hiking shoes were helping a lot.
January 18, 2021January 17, 2020 One of the best all-around hikes we have done anywhere in the US. This hike has a great mixture of flat, bouldering, ropes, water and hot springs. We went all the way to the Colorado river and soaked our feet in the hot springs near the river. MUST: Right Shoes Water Lunch You can camp on the trail in several locations and take a soak in one of the pools.
January 17, 2021Moderate Hike! It was not as bad as I thought just use your knees and upper body strength My favorite hike !
January 17, 2021Worth it
January 17, 2021January 16, 2021Always a great trail to hike, though I saw that they actually made some changes to the trail around the rope sections. Was empty when we got there but super crowded as we left.
January 16, 2021Best hiking
January 15, 2021January 14, 2021Really cool but definitely challenging. That uphill in the gravel back......
January 12, 2021Beautiful hike, definitely worth it. If you’re up for it bring a trash bag and gloves to clean up messes from those before you. Practice leave no trace principles! Pack out what you pack in. Do not litter (ladies this includes your feminine products). This trail is getting destroyed by inconsiderate humans littering all over the place.
January 11, 2021Took 3 hours to do the roughly 6 mile hike down and back. Ate some food at the river. Didn’t go in the hot springs but there was plenty of water. Started at noon on a Monday and there was about 20 people in the hot springs. Still as much fun as the first time. Don’t go without hiking shoes as the rock scrambles can be slick. Not for dogs or young kids
January 11, 2021January 10, 2021January 10, 2021January 10, 2021January 9, 2021Closer to 7.5 miles, took us 5 hours including time at the hot springs. It’s longer than 6 miles because you have to weave around and route find. 7 ropes with anywhere from 10-20 ft of a drop. Not for those who are afraid of heights! Confidence and going slowly is key :)
