Goldstrike Canyon and Hot Springs Parking Lot
Parking lot
4.8 (59)
Goldstrike Pass Rd, Boulder City, NV 89005
Restroom
This location may be clothing-optional or adjacent to adult content. We do not display adult imagery and recommend discretion. Families should verify suitability.
Unmaintained Canyon Route And Primitive SpringsNV
Goldstrike Canyon Hot Springs And Colorado River Spots
By Hidden Swimming Holes Team · Record updated
Background: generated illustration, not a photograph of this location.
Plan the strenuous Gold Strike Canyon route near Boulder City with seasonal heat closures, unmaintained ropes, spring warnings and a realistic return plan.
Swimming restriction
Respect May 15-September 30 trail closure and additional 95 F forecast closures. Springs not routinely tested or designated swimming areas; never drink water or block flow. No jump/dive or safe-river-beach claim.
Official sources checked:
Water type
Unmaintained Canyon Route And Primitive Springs
Access
Informal
Fee
NPS identifies free parking but a park fee area; keep valid pass/admission proof with vehicle and confirm current rates.
Best season
Check the named destination, current notices and weather before choosing a date
Nearby towns
Boulder City
Water body
Natural Gold Strike Springs And Colorado River
Location
Map & Directions
Nearby towns
Boulder City
Access location not verified
Boulder City, NV
Approximate location based on the nearest town. Confirm the exact spot and access before you go.
A closer look
Photos of Goldstrike Canyon Hot Springs And Colorado River Spots
Photos show past visits, not current water levels or swimming conditions. Select a photo to view it larger.
Sources & checks
This is a desk-researched listing. A record update or map check does not confirm current swimming permission or water conditions.
- Swimming rules
- Official sources checked . See the rules above and check for current closures.
- Access location not verified
- The recorded location has no completed source check. Confirm the entrance, legal access, and parking before travelling.
- Record updated
- · This is a data update, not a field visit.
Found an error? Send a correction with the location and a source. How we research listings.
A technical canyon outing, not a casual pool walk
Gold Strike Canyon near Boulder City leads through dry falls to natural springs and the Colorado River. The NPS trail-information block checked October 14, 2026 lists 5.3 miles round trip and 1,200 feet of elevation change. Plan the climb back out before descending: the route is very strenuous and unmaintained.
Heat closures are not just a summer suggestion
NPS closes the hiking route May 15-September 30 and can close it outside those dates when Willow Beach is forecast to reach 95 F or higher. Being outside summer does not certify that the route is open today. Check current conditions and turn back when restrictions or threatening storms make the canyon unsuitable.
Do not rely on visitor-installed ropes
NPS does not provide, maintain or inspect the ropes left in the canyon. Steep sections require scrambling both down and back up. An abandoned rope or a photograph of someone using one is not a maintained safety system.
Soaking and river swimming have different risks
The manager acknowledges natural soaking but says the springs are not designated swimming areas and water is not routinely tested. Do not drink spring water or block flow to build pools. The old pool-depth and river-temperature figures are not current measurements.
Water access is not a heat-closure loophole for hikers
NPS says the springs remain accessible by water on Lake Mohave during the trail’s seasonal closure. A river trip requires its own lawful launch, equipment and operator arrangements; it does not authorize hiking a closed canyon or swimming from a boat ramp. Do not turn the historical river beach into a guaranteed calm-water entrance.
Services and fees
NPS identifies toilets at the trailhead, not at the springs, and requires visitors to carry supplies and pack out human waste. The route lies in a park fee area even though parking is described as free. Keep admission proof with the vehicle and confirm current pass rules.
Current manager guidance
Read NPS Goldstrike trail and health guidance and check current conditions before committing to the trip.
A canyon scene, not a route survey
The saved photograph shows a wet rocky floor between steep canyon walls. It adds landscape context for the named Goldstrike collection, not a marked swimming entrance or proof that a descent or rope is maintained. Check current NPS closure and route guidance, and keep natural-spring health warnings separate from the appearance of the water.
Getting There
Use the NPS Goldstrike Road trailhead map near Boulder City and confirm current closures before descending. The current route block lists 5.3 miles round trip with 1,200 feet of elevation change; plan an unmaintained technical return route, not the archive's fixed pool paths.
Quick Navigation
Access Notes
Annual hiking closure May 15-September 30 plus temporary closures at forecast 95 F or above at Willow Beach. Water access is a separate permitted-trip arrangement.
Plan Your Visit
Parking & Access
Confirm the entrance, parking arrangements, and legal access with the land manager. A map pin does not establish a public right of access. Follow posted routes and never block gates or driveways.
Regulations & Fees
Respect May 15-September 30 trail closure and additional 95 F forecast closures. Springs not routinely tested or designated swimming areas; never drink water or block flow. No jump/dive or safe-river-beach claim. Public park access does not necessarily include permission to swim. Respect private property and posted restrictions.
Seasonality & Flow
Water conditions can change quickly. This listing does not provide a current safety or water-quality assessment. Check official alerts and avoid entering water when conditions or permission are uncertain.
What to Bring
Bring sturdy water shoes to protect your feet on rocks and slippery surfaces. A waterproof dry bag keeps your phone, keys, and valuables safe. Pack a quick-dry towel, sun protection, and drinking water - never drink from the natural water source.
Nearby Facilities
Nearby places from saved public map data, not necessarily facilities at the swimming spot. Confirm access, hours, fees, and amenities with the operator before you drive.
Map data retrieved 2026-06-15
Goldstrike Hot Springs Trail Head
Hiking area
4.7 (550)
601 Great Basin Hwy, Boulder City, NV 89005
Rugged hiking, climbing & bouldering trail, closed in summer, leading through Goldstrike Canyon.
Desert Sands RV Park
RV park
3.8 (454)
1940 N Boulder Hwy, Henderson, NV 89011
Basic RV park with a seasonal outdoor pool, hot tub, gym, bathrooms & a lounge with Wi-Fi.
Barbecue grillPublic restroomPublic showerRestroom
Las Vegas Bay Campground
Campground
4.3 (323)
Boulder City, NV 89005
Basic national park campground for tents & RVs with restrooms & Wi-Fi close to hiking trail.
Public restroomRestroomRunning waterTent sites
Black Mountain Ranch Park
Park
4.7 (23)
913 Wild W Dr, Henderson, NV 89002
Public Restrooms
Public bath
4 (3)
Whitney Mesa Nature Preserve, 1990 Patrick Ln, Henderson, NV 89014
Public Restroom
Public bathroom
2601 E Sunset Rd, Las Vegas, NV 89120
Lake Mead Visitor Center
Visitor center
4.6 (1209)
10 Lakeshore Rd, Boulder City, NV 89005
Restroom
Frequently Asked Questions About Goldstrike Canyon Hot Springs And Colorado River Spots
Where is the Gold Strike Canyon trailhead?
NPS places it off Goldstrike Road near Boulder City, before the Mike O’Callaghan-Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge. Use the current manager map and notices.
When is the hiking route closed for heat?
The annual closure runs May 15-September 30. NPS can also close it outside those dates when the Willow Beach forecast reaches 95 F or higher; check current conditions.
How demanding is the round trip?
The current NPS information block lists 5.3 miles round trip and 1,200 feet of elevation change, with very strenuous scrambling. Plan the return climb, not just the descent.
Are the canyon ropes maintained by NPS?
No. They are visitor-installed, unmaintained and uninspected by the park. Do not rely on their presence as a safe way back.
Are there toilets and drinking water at the springs?
NPS lists toilets at the parking lot, not the springs. Carry drinking water and pack out human waste; never drink spring water.
Is the trip free because parking is free?
No. NPS says the trail lies in a park fee area. Keep a pass or admission proof with your vehicle and check current fee rules.
Location & Area Map
Safety Information
Important Safety Tips
- Do not rely on abandoned ropes, alter spring flow, drink spring water, jump or dive
- Check closures and thunderstorms and plan the climb back out; water appearance is not a health or current assessment
Cultural & Historical Context
Historical Background
Respect protected sites and local rules; no invented cultural associations.
Photography Guide
Photo Opportunities
The saved gallery illustrates a steep-walled wet canyon scene in the Goldstrike collection. It is not a mapped soaking pool, maintained descent, safe-water assessment or current trail-opening report.
Conservation & Ethics
Protect This Place
Respect property boundaries, use authorized routes and carry out waste.
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At a Glance
Best Time to Visit
Check the named destination, current notices and weather before choosing a date.
Difficulty Level
NPS very strenuous Grade 2 canyoneering route; current block lists 5.3-mile round trip and 1,200-foot elevation change.
Fee
NPS identifies free parking but a park fee area; keep valid pass/admission proof with vehicle and confirm current rates.
Facilities
Carry drinking water and pack-out supplies; visitor-installed ropes are not maintained amenities.
Activities
Strenuous authorized canyon hiking and conditions-dependent natural soaking; separately planned permitted river recreation.
Phone
Safety & Access Notice
This information is for general planning only and may be incomplete, outdated, or inaccurate. Access rules, closures, water levels, currents, hazards, and legal restrictions can change at any time. Always verify current rules with the land manager or official source before visiting.
You are responsible for your own safety and for following all posted signs, laws, and local regulations. Read the full disclaimer.
Camping Information
Trailhead or spring use does not establish overnight camping permission; arrange authorized lodging separately.
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Safety & Access Notice
This information is for general planning only and may be incomplete, outdated, or inaccurate. Access rules, closures, water levels, currents, hazards, and legal restrictions can change at any time. Always verify current rules with the land manager or official source before visiting.
- Do not swim where swimming is prohibited, unsafe, or not clearly allowed.
- Follow posted signs, local regulations, closures, and private-property boundaries.
- Assess conditions on site. Water flow, depth, temperature, and underwater hazards change quickly.
- Never jump or dive without personally confirming depth and underwater obstacles.
- Swim with a buddy and consider flotation for weak or non-swimmers.
- Pack out all trash; respect wildlife and fragile environments.
You are responsible for your own safety and for following all posted signs, laws, and local regulations. Read the full disclaimer.
J
Joshua Havens
Founder & Editor, Hidden Swimming Holes
Joshua Havens created Hidden Swimming Holes to make it easier for people to find — and safely visit — natural freshwater swimming destinations across the United States. He researches access conditions, water quality resources, and land management rules so you don't have to start from scratch. He holds a strong belief that good outdoor recreation information should be accurate, honest about its limitations, and freely available.
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