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Known for its historical landmarks, museums, and breathtaking natural wonders, New Mexico is also home to one of America’s most significant concentrations of hot springs.
Scattered throughout its diverse mountainous landscapes, New Mexico boasts a collection of thermal pools as varied and as beautiful as the rest of this southern state.
New Mexico owes its abundance of hot springs to the presence of its ancient volcanic activities. While none of the state’s many volcanoes are active today, several volcanic fields remain in New Mexico and generate plenty of geothermal activities that warm the waters that feed the natural springs along the state’s surface.
While several hot springs dot the Land of Enchantment, only about 33 known thermal pools are publicly accessible to locals and international tourists. Additionally, each of these public hot springs offers its own unique experiences that feature varying degrees of development and services.
From tucked-away water holes deep in the mountains of New Mexico to a full-fledged luxury hot spring retreat, this is everything you need to know about hot springs in New Mexico.
New Mexico Hot Spring Regions
Despite the high volume of hot springs in the state, all of New Mexico’s thermal pools are generally confined to three specific regions.
Northern New Mexico
Northern New Mexico is home to several primitive, community, and resort hot springs, all concentrated around the Santa Fe region. However, only some facilities are found directly within the city. Instead, several primitive pools occupy the region’s idyllic corners of the Santa Fe National Forest and Carson National Forest.
- Bodhi Manda Zen Center (Resort)
- Canon del Rio (Resort)
- Ojo Santa Fe Spa (Resort)
- Ojo Caliente Mineral Springs (Resort)
- Ten Thousand Waves (Resort)
- Black Rock Hot Springs (Primitive)
- Manby Hot Springs (Primitive)
- McCauley Spring (Primitive)
- Montezuma Hot Springs (Primitive)
- Ponce de Leon Springs (Primitive)
- San Antonio Hot Springs (Primitive)
- Spence Hot Springs (Primitive)
- Jemez Springs Bath House (Community)
- Jemez Hot Springs (Community)
Gila National Forest, New Mexico
Located towards the state’s southeastern corner, Gila National Forest is home to a small collection of hot springs in New Mexico. While only featuring six hot springs, the thermal pools found in the region are varied and offer a diverse sample of primitive, community, and resort hot springs.
- Wilderness Lodge (Resort)
- Jordan Hot Springs (Primitive)
- Lightfeather Hot Springs (Primitive)
- San Francisco Hot Springs (Primitive)
- Faywood Hot Springs (Community)
- Gila Hot Springs (Community)
Truth and Consequences, New Mexico
Located to the east of Gila National Forest, Truth and Consequences is a city haven for hot springs in New Mexico. As a developed community, no primitive hot springs are found in the area. Nevertheless, it is the best region for sampling several hot spring resorts and community baths.
- Aquarius Soak & Chill Private Oasis (Resort)
- Blackstone Hot Springs (Resort)
- Charles Motel and Hot Springs (Resort)
- Fire-Water Lodge (Resort)
- Hot Springs Glamp Camp (Resort)
- La Paloma Hot Spring Pool (Resort)
- Mothership Yoga Lounge & Hot Springs (Resort)
- Pelican Spa (Resort)
- Riverbend Hot Springs (Resort)
- Sierra Grande Lodge & Spa (Resort)
- Artesian Bath House (Community)
- Hoosier Hot Springs (Community)
- Indian Springs Bathhouse (Community)
The Most Popular Hot Springs in New Mexico
Black Rock Hot Springs
Situated along northern New Mexico’s Rio Grande River, the Black Rock Hot Springs is one of the most popular primitive thermal springs in the state and features average water temperatures that vary between 97 degrees and 101 degrees Fahrenheit, depending on the height of the river.
While tucked away in the state’s northern regions, Black Rock Hot Springs require only a simple 0.3-mile hike from the parking lot and is very accessible for visitors traveling by car. The spring offers plenty of vista views of the river and surrounding landscape while the mineral waters wash away your stresses with its subtle ambiance.
If temperatures are too hot in the springs, visitors are encouraged to jump into the Rio Grande for a cooling variability and enhanced soaking experience.
Indian Springs Bath Houses
First established in 1927, the Indian Springs Bath Houses is a quaint community hot spring tucked away in the hot spring resort city of Truth and Consequences.
While not as lavish as the other facilities in the area, the Indian Springs Bath Houses offer a calm, authentic soaking experience in its rustic tubs.
The Indian Springs Bath Houses offer two unique mineral baths, each providing a private experience as visitors relax in the healing waters. The tubs mix cool and hot water for guests to control the water temperatures for a comfortable soak.
While the baths are open for day use, the facility also offers six rooms for guests to spend the night.
Ojo Caliente Hot Springs
One of the most opulent hot spring resorts in New Mexico, the Ojo Caliente Hot Springs Resort is located about an hour north of Santa Fe and features plenty of onsite luxury services while accentuating the region’s natural beauty.
The Ojo Caliente Hot Spring Resort is the only spring in the world that features four different types of sulfur-free mineral waters and is a must-visit soaking experience when visiting the area. With twelve pools at their disposal, the resort’s springs feature waters ranging between 80 and 106 degrees Fahrenheit.
Along with its eponymous springs, the resort also features plenty of onsite amenities, including onsite dining, complete spa services, and even onsite lodging and camping for guests that prefer to spend the night while enjoying the facility’s luxury.
Types of Hot Springs in New Mexico
While each of New Mexico’s publicly accessible hot springs offers a unique experience for visitors, all of the state’s thermal pools can typically be classified as one of three varieties depending on the amount of development present at the site and the volume of additional services offered.
Primitive Hot Springs
Primitive hot springs are New Mexico’s most natural thermal pools and feature little to no development. These hot springs are often tucked away deep in the state’s most natural corners, far from the interference of civilization, and often require long and arduous hikes to access.
As a result, these primitive pools are also often some of the most rewarding hot springs for guests to visit and function to soothe sore muscles worn from the hike to reach them. Additionally, since they occupy isolated corners of the state, these pools provide one of the most calming settings and the opportunity to explore New Mexico’s native flora and fauna.
Furthermore, since primitive pools are unmaintained and unregulated, they are also entirely free to access, making them a favorite hot spring variety for environmentalists and budget-savvy travelers alike.
Community Hot Springs
While not as common as other varieties of hot springs in New Mexico, community thermal pools bridge the gap between the rustic authenticity of a primitive pool and the lavish luxury of a hot spring resort.
Regulated by community groups or private owners, community hot springs feature basic onsite amenities and services, which often include maintained pools, changing rooms, and bathrooms. Further amenities can include onsite spa services and restaurants, but these vary between community spring facilities.
A popular hot spring variety for visitors seeking a safe, authentic dip in a New Mexico hot spring, community thermal pools typically require small admission fees for the general maintenance of the complex.
Hot Spring Resorts
Hot spring resorts are New Mexico’s most luxurious hot spring experiences. These full-service facilities feature spacious spring-fed pools and plenty of additional onsite amenities, including onsite lodging and various other services.
While New Mexico hot spring resorts vary in their offerings, these opulent complexes can include on site dining, full-service spas, and even off-site excursions for visitors seeking a full exploration of New Mexico’s many attractions.
Hot spring resorts are the optimal thermal pool experience for visitors seeking the most calming soak while having the added conveniences of onsite services.
