Virgin Valley Warm Spring

What to expect

Virgin Valley is one of the more civilized places to get into warm water in the far north of Nevada, which is not saying much. A geothermal spring at the campground on Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge is piped into a large, open-air pool, and more of the same water runs through a small, rustic shower house next to it. The Fish and Wildlife Service calls it a warm springs pool, and that is the right word. It is warm, not hot.

A hot springs guide describes the pool as man-made, about 30 by 35 feet and 5 feet deep, with a sand and gravel bottom and water that stays clear because it is always flowing through. The same guide puts the pool at roughly 80-95°F27-35°C depending on the season, the air temperature and the wind, with the spring entering at about 90°F32°C. Campers often call it lukewarm. On a summer afternoon after a dusty day at the opal mines it feels right. On a cold, windy evening it can feel cool once you get out.

The shower house is the other draw. It runs on warm spring water and is free, which is rare in country where the nearest town is small and far away. Reviews range from “a little primitive” to genuinely pleasant, depending on who has been through before you.

Around it is open sagebrush with low rimrock on the valley sides. There is very little shade at the campsites.

This page covers the warm spring at the campground, which is what people mean by “Virgin Valley Hot Springs.” The refuge itself calls it a warm springs pool.

Getting there

The pool is at Virgin Valley Campground, 2.5 miles south of NV-140 in the northeast part of the refuge. The refuge gives three routes:

• From Winnemucca (about 124 miles): Drive north on US-95 for 31.5 miles and turn west onto NV-140 toward Denio. Follow NV-140 past Denio Junction and continue west for about 25 miles. Turn south onto Virgin Valley Road at the signs for the Dufurrena Field Station. Refuge headquarters is 1 mile in, and the campground is 1.5 miles past that.
• From Reno via Lakeview, Oregon (about 325 miles): Take US-395 north to Lakeview, continue 5 miles north, then turn east on OR-140, which becomes NV-140, and drive about 85 miles to Virgin Valley Road. This is the all-paved route and the refuge’s choice for road conditions.
• From Reno via Cedarville, California (about 225 miles): Shorter, but the last stretch uses graded gravel roads (Nevada 8A and 34) that are not maintained in winter.

Virgin Valley Road is graded dirt. A normal car is fine when it is dry. The refuge speed limit is 25 mph unless posted, and vehicles must stay on open routes. Clean mud and seeds off your vehicle before you arrive; the refuge asks this to slow the spread of weeds.

When to go

The campground and pool are open year-round, but late spring to early fall is the practical season. NV-140 is the only refuge road maintained in winter, and snow can block Virgin Valley Road and the gravel routes from the west.

Summer brings the most visitors, especially off-road riders and opal diggers. Campers have reported the campground nearly full on some June weekends, with generators running. Horseflies can be bad in early summer on the drive in. September is a good compromise: warm days, cool nights and fewer people.

Rules and etiquette

Sheldon is a national wildlife refuge, so its rules are tighter than on BLM land.

• Camping: only in designated campgrounds, or in the backcountry with a free self-issued permit. The limit is 14 days in any 30 days. No camping on roads or in pull-offs.
• Campfires: only in the fire rings provided, and they may be banned when fire danger is high. Bring your own firewood; collecting wood on the refuge is not allowed.
• Pets: must be leashed or confined, except bird-hunting dogs under control.
• Rock collecting: by hand from the surface only, up to 7 pounds a day. No digging or tools, and no taking artifacts. Digging for opal happens only at the private fee-dig mines.
• Clothing: this is a public campground pool used by families. Wear a swimsuit.
• Pool manners: no soap or shampoo in the pool. Use the shower house for washing, and do not leave glass on the deck.
• Trash: there is no garbage service. Pack everything out.

Where to stay nearby

Virgin Valley Campground is the obvious base. It is free and first come, first served, with fire rings, picnic tables, pit or vault toilets, drinking water, the pool and the shower house. There are no hookups and no dump station. Fill your water and fuel tanks before you leave Winnemucca or Lakeview.

Other refuge campgrounds, at Catnip Reservoir, Big Spring Reservoir, West Rock Spring, Fish Spring and Badger, have only fire rings and pit toilets. The nearest services are at Denio and Denio Junction, which are small. For hotels, Winnemucca and Lakeview are each a long drive away.

Bog Hot Springs is about 20 miles east by road, off NV-140 near Denio Junction. It is much hotter, sits on private ranch land beside the refuge, and has no campground of its own, so many people sleep at Virgin Valley and drive over to Bog for a hot soak.

Nearby stops worth adding

Virgin Valley is known for black opal, Nevada’s state gemstone. The Virgin Valley Opal Mining District inside the refuge has been worked since 1906, and its mineral rights predate the refuge. Several private fee-dig mines let visitors dig for a day. Check each mine’s dates and prices before you go.

The Dufurrena Ponds, near the field station on the drive in, hold bass, crappie and other warm-water fish, and boats with electric motors are allowed.

Safety notes

• Remoteness: Little or no cell signal, and help can be hours away. Tell someone your plans and download an offline map.
• Cooling off: The pool is cooler than your body, and long swims on a windy day can leave you chilled. Keep warm clothes by the steps.
• Sun and heat: There is almost no shade. Bring a shade structure and more water than you think you need.
• Roads: Storms, drifting snow and mud can make refuge roads impassable quickly. Check Nevada 511 for NV-140.