Natural hot water at Givens Springs has attracted people for thousands of years. For about 5000 years it was a winter village site, and from 4,300 to about 1,200 years ago the hot springs had large pit houses typical of plateau communities northwest of here. After that, small huts used by Great Basin tribes became fashionable. Deer, rabbits, and river mussels sustained the winter camp. After 1842, emigrants using an Oregon Trail alternate also patronized Givens Springs.