Arizona Hot Springs via White Rock Canyon

Arizona Hot Springs via White Rock Canyon is a demanding wash hike on the Arizona side of Black Canyon, within Lake Mead National Recreation Area, near the Nevada border. The White Rock Canyon Trailhead is on US-93 near Milepost 4, about 40 miles (45 minutes) from the Las Vegas Strip via I-11 and US-93, across the Hoover Dam bypass bridge. Access is by car only, and Lake Mead National Recreation Area entry fees apply. The round trip is about 5.5 to 6 miles (9 to 9.7 km), with roughly 800 to 900 feet (245 to 275 m) of elevation gain, and it takes four to six hours. The route is rated hard because of the ladder, rough terrain and heat exposure. From the trailhead, hikers descend a dry wash through volcanic rock that narrows into a slot canyon, with several dry falls and scrambles over boulders. A 20-foot fixed ladder near the lower end helps hikers pass a steep drop. The canyon opens at the Colorado River, below Hoover Dam, and the route then follows a side canyon uphill to a series of hot-spring pools, which are held by sandbags and fed by geothermally heated water. Water temperatures vary by pool. The surface throughout is sand, gravel and volcanic rock, and there is little shade outside the narrow canyon walls. There is no drinking water along the route, and no shelter, so at least 3 liters of water per person should be carried, and the river water should not be consumed untreated. The National Park Service closes the trail from May 15 to September 30 after repeated heat-related rescues. Hikers should be prepared for the uphill return, and a headlamp is worth carrying if there is any chance of returning after dark. Shoes that can get wet and a swimsuit are recommended. Current information is available at nps.gov/lake.