Let's be honest: when most people think of Nevada, they picture neon lights, all-you-can-eat buffets, and the distinctive sound of slot machines. But here's the thing – Nevada has more hot springs than any other state, over 300 days of sunshine annually, and enough peaceful retreats to make even the most stressed-out city dweller forget their email password. From natural hot springs where you'll soak next to wild burros to lakeside resorts that'll drain your savings account (in the best way), the Silver State knows how to do relaxation right.
The hot springs scene: From luxury to "did I just drive three hours for this?"
Nevada's geothermal game is strong, with over 300 hot springs scattered across the state. These range from Instagram-worthy resort pools to primitive tubs that look like someone dropped a bathtub in the middle of nowhere (because essentially, someone did).
David Walley's Resort: Where history meets hot water
If you want to soak where Mark Twain supposedly soaked, David Walley's Resort in Genoa is your spot. This place has been around since 1862, which means it's older than your great-great-grandmother's secret cookie recipe. The resort features five natural geothermal pools plus a regular heated pool for those who prefer their water less sulfur-scented.
Room rates swing wildly from $74 in the off-season to $350 when everyone else has the same "let's get away" idea. Fair warning: there's a $39.55 nightly resort fee that'll surprise you like finding a spider in your shoe. Also, brace yourself for possible timeshare presentations – they're about as relaxing as a root canal, but at least the hot springs afterward will help you forget.
The location is pretty sweet though, just 16 miles from South Lake Tahoe. You can gamble away your kids' college fund in Tahoe, then soak away your regrets in Genoa. Circle of life, really.
Carson Hot Springs: The no-frills champion
For those who prefer their relaxation without the resort markup, Carson Hot Springs Resort pumps mineral water from 35,000 feet underground. That's deeper than most people's commitment issues. The water arrives at a toasty 121°F with absolutely no chemicals added – just pure, mineral-rich goodness that smells vaguely like eggs.
Day passes run a reasonable $17 for adults, which gets you access to four outdoor pools ranging from 93-102°F. Want privacy? The private indoor soaking rooms cost $30, but they're first-come, first-served. Pro tip: arrive early or prepare to wait while wearing a bathing suit in public, which is nobody's favorite activity.
The on-site Sassafras Eclectic Food Joint serves exactly what you'd expect from a place with "eclectic" in the name, and Shoe Tree Brewing Company helps you forget that you're sitting in water that strangers have been sitting in all day. Since there's no lodging on-site, nearby hotels like the Hampton Inn charge around $152-179 per night.
Spencer Hot Springs: For the adventurous penny-pincher
Now we're talking. Spencer Hot Springs sits 19 miles east of Austin along Highway 50, and it's completely free. The setup includes metal "cowboy tubs" that look like oversized stock tanks (because they basically are) and a natural pool with a soft, sandy bottom.
The source water emerges at 130°F but cools to 100-110°F in the tubs, which is perfect unless you're trying to cook pasta. You can even camp here for free, though "camping" might be generous – it's more like "parking your car and sleeping near hot water in the desert."
Getting there requires a three-hour drive from Reno, and you'll want to visit during fall through spring unless you enjoy feeling like a rotisserie chicken. Keep an eye out for the wild burros that hang around – they're cute but have absolutely no concept of personal space.
Gold Strike Hot Springs: Earn your soak
If Spencer Hot Springs seems too easy, try Gold Strike Hot Springs near Las Vegas. This one requires a 6-mile round-trip hike with rope sections and boulder scrambling. It's like a CrossFit workout, but with a hot tub at the end instead of just exhaustion and regret.
The payoff? Three-tiered pools in a stunning slot canyon with water temperatures between 100-106°F. Located 45 minutes from the Strip in Lake Mead National Recreation Area, it's close enough for a day trip but far enough that you won't run into your boss.
Important note: the trail closes from May 15 to September 30 because the desert heat can literally kill you. Save this one for cooler months when the biggest danger is just twisting an ankle on a rock.
Lake Tahoe: Where your wallet goes to die (happily)
Lake Tahoe's Nevada side offers some seriously swanky relaxation options. Yes, they're pricey, but sometimes you need to treat yourself to something nicer than gas station coffee and a YouTube meditation video.
Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe: The sensible splurge
The Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe balances luxury with "I won't need to sell a kidney" pricing. With private beach access and the Stillwater Spa, it offers everything you need for a proper escape. Room rates run $200-500 per night depending on whether you're competing with summer tourists or winter ski bums for a room.
The location in Incline Village puts you 45 minutes from Reno-Tahoe Airport, which is close enough that your Uber driver won't give you the stink eye. Summer brings championship golf and water sports, while winter offers ski shuttle service for those who think hurtling down a mountain on two sticks sounds relaxing.
Edgewood Tahoe: When money is just a concept
For those playing life on easy mode, Edgewood Tahoe Resort maintains consistent 9.8/10 guest ratings. Rooms range from $363 to $1,299 per night, which is roughly equivalent to a monthly car payment or a really nice couch.
The resort features a championship golf course and spa treatments like the "magnesium melt massage," which sounds like something from a science experiment but apparently feels amazing. If you're going to blow your vacation budget in one weekend, this is a pretty spectacular way to do it.
Camp Richardson: Tahoe on a budget
Not everyone has tech-startup money, and Camp Richardson gets that. This 1920s resort offers camping from $50-110 per night, plus year-round cabins for those who draw the line at sleeping on the ground.
The sandy beach access and bike trails provide simple pleasures, and the historic ice cream parlor serves scoops the size of softballs. It's not fancy, but sometimes the best relaxation comes from eating too much ice cream and taking a nap on the beach.
Desert resorts that won't require a second mortgage
Not all Nevada relaxation requires driving to the mountains or soaking in sulfur-scented water. These desert resorts prove you can find zen without leaving the greater Vegas area.
Red Rock Casino Resort: Vegas adjacent, world away
Just 10 miles west of the Strip, Red Rock Casino Resort feels like it's in a different time zone from the madness of Las Vegas Boulevard. The 40,000-square-foot spa features open-air pools with legitimate mountain views, not just paintings of mountains like some places try to pass off.
The property includes a 3-acre pool complex called the Sandbar, which sounds like where you'd go to cry about your gambling losses but is actually quite nice. They offer advance booking discounts up to 40%, which helps offset the cost of the overpriced poolside drinks you'll inevitably order.
Best part? You're close enough to Red Rock Canyon for actual hiking, so you can pretend you came to Nevada for the nature and not just to lay by a pool with a margarita.
Green Valley Ranch: Suburban fancy
Green Valley Ranch Resort brings a Tuscan vibe to Henderson, which is like bringing a tuxedo to a backyard barbecue – unexpected but somehow it works. The spa spans 40,000 square feet with 22 private treatment rooms, because apparently privacy is important when someone's rubbing oil on your back.
The adults-only lap pool offers Strip views for those who want to feel superior to the tourist masses while still technically being a tourist. At just 12 minutes from the airport, it's convenient enough that you'll spend more time relaxing than traveling, which is the whole point.
Small towns where time forgot to keep moving
Sometimes the best relaxation comes from places where the biggest decision is whether to have your coffee on the porch or inside. Nevada's small towns deliver this in spades.
Virginia City looks like someone hit pause on the 1860s and never hit play again. As America's best-preserved Old West town, it offers underground mine tours at the Ponderosa Saloon and enough historic bars to make you feel like you're in a Western movie.
The Silverland Inn & Suites provides modern beds from $89 per night, while the Cobb Mansion B&B offers luxury in an 1876 Victorian if you're feeling fancy. Located 40 minutes from Reno, it's close enough for a weekend trip but far enough that you can pretend you're a time traveler.
Genoa holds the title of Nevada's first settlement (1851) and home to the state's oldest saloon (1853), which has been serving drinks longer than some countries have existed. The annual Candy Dance Arts & Crafts Faire has been happening since 1919, making it older than sliced bread (literally – that was invented in 1928).
Planning your escape: The practical stuff nobody wants to think about
Here's when to visit based on what kind of person you are:
Fall (September-November): Perfect for normal humans who like comfortable temperatures and smaller crowds. Hot springs feel extra amazing when the air is crisp.
Winter (December-February): Ideal for bargain hunters and people who like steam. Watching steam rise from hot springs into cold air is basically nature's lava lamp.
Spring (March-May): Wildflower season for the Instagram crowd. Also peak time for natural hot springs before they become torture chambers in summer.
Summer (June-August): For masochists and extreme bargain hunters only. Temperatures hit 104°F+, but hotel deals are fantastic if you don't mind feeling like a baked potato.
Getting there and getting around
- Reno airport works best for northern stuff (Lake Tahoe is 45-60 minutes away)
- Las Vegas airport serves the south (prepare for long drives to anywhere peaceful)
- Rent a car unless you enjoy being stranded
- Get 4WD for remote hot springs unless you want to star in a "city person gets stuck in the desert" reality show
What it'll cost you
Here's the relaxation price ladder:
- Natural hot springs with camping: Free (bring your own everything)
- Small town B&Bs: $50-150 per night
- Lake Tahoe resorts: $200-500 (more during "everyone wants to be here" season)
- Luxury spa resorts: $800+ (includes pretending money doesn't matter)
- Day spa passes: $50-150 (cheaper than therapy)
Booking tips from someone who learned the hard way
Book David Walley's 2-4 weeks ahead for weekends unless you enjoy disappointment. Carson Hot Springs' private rooms operate on jungle rules – first come, first served, so show up early. For natural springs, check BLM websites because nothing ruins relaxation like driving three hours to find a "closed for maintenance" sign.
Safety stuff that sounds paranoid but isn't
Test hot spring water before jumping in like you're in a Mountain Dew commercial. Bring a buddy to remote locations because "I got stuck in the desert alone" isn't a fun story. Pack extra water, download offline maps, and check road conditions after storms. Many remote springs require high-clearance vehicles, so unless your sedan identifies as a Jeep, plan accordingly.
Why Nevada works for weekend relaxation
Nevada's got the highest concentration of hot springs in America, with over 35 accessible ones ranging from "free tub in the desert" to "mortgage your house for a weekend." The dramatic elevation changes mean you can go from desert floor to alpine lake in a couple hours, which is pretty wild when you think about it.
Recent wellness trends show Nevada properties getting creative. Fontainebleau's Lapis Spa won "World's Best Casino Hotel Spa 2024" by combining ancient traditions with newfangled circadian rhythm scheduling. Some places even offer theatrical Aufguss saunas, which sounds made up but is apparently a whole thing.
The bottom line? Nevada's weekend getaways work because they offer genuine escape, whether that's soaking in ancient mineral water while wild burros judge your life choices, or dropping serious cash on a spa treatment that costs more than your car payment. From free primitive hot springs that require actual effort to reach, to world-class resorts that anticipate your needs before you have them, Nevada's got the full relaxation spectrum covered.
The trick is matching your relaxation style (and budget) to what Nevada offers. Want to rough it? Pack some sandwiches and find a hot spring in the middle of nowhere. Feeling fancy? Book that lake view suite and pretend you're the kind of person who does this regularly. Either way, you'll find what you're looking for in the Silver State – just don't blame me when you start planning your next trip before the first one ends.
