Rogers Spring, Nevada
Located in the Lake Mead National Recreation Area

Distance from Las Vegas : 55 Miles (one way)
Time of year to visit : All Year
Gasoline Available : No
Fee : Yes, to enter the Lake Mead National Recreation Area

Links :
Rogers Spring Weather Station
National Park Service

Rogers Spring is one of the largest Hot Springs in the surrounding desert. The spring flows over 400 gallons of water a minute that has been thermally heated to 80F degrees. The source of the water is unclear but the most popular theory is that the water begins it’s journey nearly 250 Miles away in Ely, Nevada where rain water is absorbed by the ground and then carried through an aquifer system of carbonate rock that is made up mostly of limestone and dolomite. Near Rogers Spring the water comes up against a fault and starts to flow upward and emerges at Rogers Spring.

One story of Rogers Springs begins in 1903 where a canal was built to connect Rogers Springs and nearby Blue Point Springs to a channel that would divert water to 500 acres of farmland. During this project several men used a horse team, scraper, homemade ditcher and shovels to construct the channel only to find the water would travel a short distance then would soak into the ground. Undaunted, they lined the ditch with clay to prevent leakage, and when that failed, they borrowed $3,000 and took several months mixing cement by hand and again lined the ditch. Eventually they were successful in transporting the water to the farmland. However, the project ultimately failed due to economic reasons. The men involved evidently drank the spring water while working on the project. Unfortunately, this water acted as a natural laxative, and the men lost a considerable amount of weight. Subsequently, the channel discharging water from the spring because known as “Slime Creek”.

The bacteria in the spring is unique to the area and will live and thrive in the human body. The bacteria enters through the nasal cavity or by mouth and cause flu-like symptoms or worse. Though people do wade in the shallow pool, it is recommended that the water be avoided.

In the 1930s, Rogers Spring received the benefit of work by the Civilian Conservation Corps, which built a small dam to deepen the pond for swimming, constructed picnic tables and erected sun shades, improvements enjoyed by Southern Nevadans for several decades thereafter.

By the time the National Park Service acquired the site in the 1970s, Rogers Spring again needed attention. Rowdy visitors smashed bottles against the dam, making swimming and wading hazardous. The park service dismantled the old dam, cleaned up the debris and turned the pool into a shallow pond, since there would never be a lifeguard onsite for swimmers. Today, signs warn waders of a potentially dangerous parasite common to warm springs in our area. Many visitors stay out of the area, contenting themselves with peaceful views. Those who sit long enough see shy wild creatures and birds lured by the setting.

The area itself has several shaded picnic tables with grills next to them. You will need to bring all supplies, charcoal, water, food, etc. The area is open from Sunrise to Sunset all year round and does have toilet facilities.