In search of a hot spring, I came all the way to a reservoir in a rural town.
The water was unexpectedly clear and lukewarm; and it would be a perfect location for swimming in the summer.
Caliente
Caliente is a city in the State of Nevada, whose name is derived from Spanish meaning “hot.”
Yes, there are some hot springs in the area.
![Caliente Station](https://hotspringers.net/ja/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2021/08/caliente-station01.jpg)
It was one of the colonies of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon), and had been flourished as a spa town along the Union Pacific Railroad.
The historic station building built in 1923 is existent as a museum (the passenger service was abandoned in 1993).
Is this the place?
It is 20-minutes drive to northeast from Caliente to a small town, Panaca.
It is the first colony of Mormon in the current are of Nevada State, established in 1864.
![Marsh 1](https://hotspringers.net/ja/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/10/panaca-warm-springs01.jpg)
Panaca is one of two communities in Nevada that prohibits gambling and the only community in Nevada to be “dry” (forbidding the sale of alcoholic beverages).
![Marsh 3](https://hotspringers.net/ja/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/10/panaca-warm-springs02.jpg)
The pond is close to the town, and it is the warm spring to soak today.
![Capybara](https://hotspringers.net/ja/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/10/capybara150.png)
![Alpaca](https://hotspringers.net/ja/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/10/alpaca150.png)
![Marsh 2](https://hotspringers.net/ja/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/10/panaca-warm-springs03.jpg)
In the mountain side the marsh is full of water weeds.
In the opposite side it is dammed by a concrete wall.
![Dammed](https://hotspringers.net/ja/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/10/panaca-warm-springs04.jpg)
There seem to be no specific rules about clothing.
![Crystal Clear 1](https://hotspringers.net/ja/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/10/panaca-warm-springs05.jpg)
However it would be better to have swimsuits in order to avoid troubles with the strict Mormon.
![Crystal Clear 2](https://hotspringers.net/ja/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/10/panaca-warm-springs06.jpg)
The water was clear than expected; around 84 degrees F throughout a year.
![Water temp](https://hotspringers.net/ja/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2021/11/panaca-warm-springs13.jpg)
The pond is managed by the town of Panaca, and once a year around April, it is completely drained.
This helps to control the growth of algae.
![Swimming Area 01](https://hotspringers.net/ja/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2021/11/panaca-warm-springs12.jpg)
By the way, I took these photos at two different times.
![Swimming Area 02](https://hotspringers.net/ja/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2021/11/panaca-warm-springs10.jpg)
The sparkling pond is just after cleaning in April; and the cloudy pond is in its dirty state in February.
![Dirty 01](https://hotspringers.net/ja/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2021/11/panaca-warm-springs11.jpg)
The deepest part is around the dam, where even adults can't reach the bottom with their feet.
![Crystal Clear 3](https://hotspringers.net/ja/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/10/panaca-warm-springs09.jpg)
Gushing points are rather close to the low mountains, bubbling in the marsh.
![Low Mountains](https://hotspringers.net/ja/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/10/panaca-warm-springs08.jpg)
The water looks just that of a pond; not characteristic.
Only the warm temperature proves that it is geothermally heated.
Summary
Panaca Warm Springs, Panaca, Nevada, U.S.
My rating
Type: Undeveloped
Rule: Clothing recommended
Chemical use: No
Water temp: Up to 84 degrees F