Did you know that New Mexico is plentiful with natural geothermal hot springs, hot springs spas, and resorts? While many people have heard of the hot springs in Idaho, you may not be aware of the abundance of hot springs in New Mexico’s forests, hotels, lodges, and resorts.
You can find incredible spa resorts there, not to mention natural hot spring pools tucked away in New Mexico’s national forests. This post will cover the 29 best hot springs of New Mexico to help you plan an unforgettable trip.
29 Hot Springs of New Mexico
Read on to discover 29 of the best hot springs in New Mexico. These hot springs will help you relax, rejuvenate, and release all your stress and tension.
The options below are varied, covering everything from natural hot springs in rugged landscapes to spa pools in private resort rooms. No matter what you fancy, you’re bound to find something you like in the list of hot springs below.
If you’re in the market for even more hot pools in the U.S., you can check out these hot springs in Pagosa Springs.
1. Blackstone Hotsprings
Blackstone Hotsprings is a quirky hotel with themed rooms and hot spring baths. Each room has its own mineral water feature in the ensuite bathroom, but you don’t have to be a guest to enjoy a good soak.
Non-guests can book a private soak in one of the hotel’s three mineral baths. Simply call the front desk to make a booking. Make sure you bring your own towel, or you can rent one from the hotel for $10 (£7). For an hour’s soak, the cost per person is $20 (£14) under the summer special, but this fee is subject to change.
2. Artesian Bath House and RV Park
If you like the sound of camping near hot springs, the Artesian Bath House is the spot for you. The campground has room for 36 RVs, and there are eight private drain-and-fill tubs in private rooms. Campers can soak at a discounted rate, but you can also pay full price if you’re not in the mood to stay overnight.
Each hot spring bath has a padded bench and cold shower, and you can even book a massage during or after your soak.
3. Charles Motel and Spa
The historic spa building of the Charles Motel was built back in the 1940s. There is a mineral water source right beneath the property that feeds the motel’s hot spring baths with water at a piping 113°F.
All motel guests are allotted one bath per person per day, but the public can access the baths, too. The bathhouse layout hasn’t changed since it was first built, and there’s still some vintage ‘40s tilework to marvel at.
4. Firewater Lodge Hot Springs Spa
The Firewater Lodge Hot Springs Spa is a fantastic oasis from your routine life. The hotel is a restored motor court lodge from the ‘20s, so expect to see funky vintage decor and a ton of fine details.
Every room has its own mineral hot tub, and you can also get relaxing massage and reflexology treatments at the spa. The hot water is rich in minerals with healing properties, such as potassium, magnesium, zinc, and lithium.
5. La Paloma Hot Springs and Spa
The La Paloma Hot Springs resort (formerly Marshall Hot Springs) is home to two ninety-year-old bathhouses fed with artesian mineral water. There are 13 gravel-bottomed pools for you to choose from, with temperatures ranging from 98°F-116°F.
An hour-long soak costs $12 (£9) per person in the indoor pools and $15 for the private outdoor pools. You can also book a private soak in the LongHouse bathhouse for $40 (£28) per person.
6. Indian Springs Bathhouse
Established in the 1930s, Indian Springs Bathhouse has two private hot spring pools for you to enjoy. The bathhouse also has accommodations for overnight stays, so book a room for the night if you’d like a complimentary hot soak. The bathhouse also accepts walk-ins, however.
The larger of the two pools can fit from 6-9 people, so this is a great option if you’re vacationing with a group of friends or family members.
7. Riverbend Hot Springs`
Riverbend Hot Springs combines camping, hot soaks, and hotel accommodations into one ultimate experience. Unlike the other hot spring pools on this list, the Riverbend hot springs are open-air and perched right on the banks of the Rio Grande. You can indulge in a hot soak while enjoying the stunning view of the river, mountains, and trees in the backdrop.
For access to the public hot pools, you can purchase a property pass for $25-$35 (£18-£48), depending on the season. Private soaks are $35-$50 (£25-£36) per person, also season-dependent.
8. Sierra Grande Lodge & Spa
Sierra Grande Lodge is a luxurious hotel and spa where you can rejuvenate after a long week at work. If you spend a night in one of their gorgeous suites, you’ll get complimentary access to one of their 104°F geothermal hot springs. Each guest is allotted a private 30-minute soak per day.
You can choose from indoor and outdoor hot tubs, all of which are entirely private to help you thoroughly wind down in peace and quiet. All soaking sessions are by appointment only.
⇒ Read more reviews on TripAdvisor ⇒ Book Now
9. Stagecoach Hot Springs
Also known as Manby Hot Springs, the Stagecoach Hot Springs are thermal springs in the town of Arroyo Hondo. Unlike the other spots on this list so far, these springs are unmanned and unconnected to any hotel or resort.
To get to the springs, take Highway 522 towards County Road B007. Follow the signage towards the parking lot, then take the hiking trail along the east bank of the Rio Grande. Expect to see a couple of nude bodies when you get there, as these springs are clothing-optional.
Update: A reader was kind enough to email me and let me know that the Bureau of land management has closed access to Manby Hot Springs from the roads above the rim. The only way to get to Manby is to hike from John Dunn bridge or from rafting in.
10. Ojo Caliente Mineral Springs Resort & Spa
Ojo Caliente is a beautiful resort with stunning suites. The hotel is only allowing overnight guests to use their mineral spas at the moment. But keep your eye on their website to see when the springs are open to the public again.
There are four communal pools to choose from, but the private suites are particularly luxurious. As a guest, you’ll have a hot tub all to yourself in your room, as well as a private patio and a roaring fireplace.
11. Ojo Caliente Santa Fe
If you’re keen to visit New Mexico’s capital, stop by the Santa Fe branch of Ojo Caliente. There are a few more options here than at the Taos branch, and the thermal pools are to die for. Overnight guests can access the springs for free, but non-guests can purchase a day pass for $55 (£40).
There are also private soaking options at the resort’s Ojito Pools, which you can enjoy for the price of $75 (£54) per couple. If you’re looking for some quiet time alone, you can also use the private, one-person tubs, which cost $55 (£40) an hour.
12. Black Rock Hot Springs
Like the Stagecoach hot springs, the Black Rock hot springs are also located along the Rio Grande. There are two soaking pools at Black Rock, each with a temperature of 98°F – 101°F, depending on the season.
There is no camping at Black Rock, but luckily, the walk won’t take you long. The hot spring trail is less than a mile long, and it’s perfectly doable for all skill levels. Many people take the same path for nature walks or bird-watching.
13. Montezuma Hot Springs
The Montezuma Hot Springs are located on private property. But don’t worry, the public can still access these amazing soaking baths. You can find the rugged rock and cement springs along Gallinas Creek in New Mexico.
There are nine geothermal springs to choose from, ranging from 90°F to a hot 120°F. You can bring your dogs along to play in the grass while you take a soak, as long as they are kept on a leash. The springs are open daily from 5 am to midnight.
14. Jemez Springs Bathhouse
The Jemez Springs Bathhouse is a great spot to rejuvenate on a relaxing weekend away. You can visit for a mineral bath, a seaweed wrap, or a massage to work out those kinks in your shoulders.
25-minute and 50-minute soaks cost $18 (£13) and $25 (£18) per person, respectively. The bathhouse is open from 10 am to 5 pm daily, with the exception of Wednesdays and Thursdays.
15. San Antonio Hot Springs
Get in touch with nature at the San Antonio hot springs, where you’ll be surrounded by trees and get a spectacular view of New Mexico’s northern mountains. The springs are entirely free to use, and clothing is optional.
To get there, you’ll need to take a half-mile hike through the Santa Fe National Forest. The collection of springs are located on a steep hillside, so you’ll get a breathtaking perspective of the forest while you soak your troubles away.
16. Soda Dam Hot Springs
These hot springs are also known simply as Soda Dam or Jemez Springs at Soda Dam. You’ll be spoiled for choice here, as there are fifteen thermal springs to soak in.
Soda Dam is a 7000-year-old calcium carbonate formation that’s created a bridge over the Jemez River Valley, with hot spring deposits dotted along the way. You can access the springs by following the Soda Dam trail off State Route 4. They are free to visit.
17. Spence Hot Springs (McCauley Hot Springs)
This is a stunning natural wonder and a popular spot to visit in New Mexico. Try to get to Spence Hot Springs as early as possible, as there are usually quite a few people gunning to take a soak. The hike there is less than a mile and is suitable for all skill levels. You can find the hiking trail off Highway 4, which will take you along the river to the springs.
Make sure you bring a bathing suit along, as nudity is prohibited at the Spence hot springs. The pools are situated on a steep valley that overlooks the forest, so you’re in for a treat of a view.
18. Jemez Hot Springs (Giggling Springs)
Also known as Giggling Springs, Jemez Hot Springs is a resort nestled in New Mexico’s Jemez Mountains. The resort has four pools to choose from, the hottest being 142°F. Unlike some of the other resorts on this list, the springs at this resort are communal, and there are no private soaking options.
The resort springs are open from Mondays through Thursdays from 10:30 am to 6 pm, and weekends from 10 am to 7 pm. The springs are closed on Tuesdays. Keep in mind that you cannot book ahead of time, as access to springs is walk-in only.
19. Bodhi Manda Zen Center Motel and Hot Springs
The Bodhi Manda Zen Center is a Buddhist retreat where people come to seek spiritual guidance, peace, and rejuvenation. Only guests of the motel and volunteers assisting with the retreat program can access the hot springs on the property, which are completely natural and untreated.
If you’re interested in taking some time off for Zen meditation and soaking in the springs, you can book your stay on the Bodhi Manda Zen website. Rooms cost $70 (£50) per night per person or $130 (£94) per couple. There is a minimum two-night stay policy.
20. Lightfeather Hot Springs (Middle Fork Hot Springs)
Also known as Middle Fork Hot Springs, the Lightfeather Hot Springs are completely natural and situated along the Middle Fork Gila River. The springs are free to use and open to the public, but no overnight camping is allowed in the area.
To get to the springs, head to the Gila Cliff Dwelling Visitor Center parking lot. From there, simply follow the Middle Fork Trail for about a mile and a half until you reach the springs. The pools here are immensely popular, so be sure to start down the trail earlier rather than later.
21. Jordan Hot Springs
Jordan Hot Springs is tucked away in the Gila National Forest at the end of a 13-mile hiking trail called the Little Bear Canyon Trail. Luckily, you can spend the night at the nearby Gila Hot Springs Campground to get all the rest you need before taking the trail back to your car in the morning.
The rock-walled springs are well worth the lengthy hike, with steamy 100-degree waters just waiting to be explored. The springs also have an elevation of over 1500 feet, so the view of the surrounding forest is simply breathtaking.
22. Turkey Creek Hot Springs
The journey to Turkey Creek Hot Springs is not for the faint of heart. To get there, you’ll need to embark on a challenging 10-mile hike through the Gila Wilderness, which will take you across the Gila River and up many difficult rocky pathways. Once you arrive, however, you’ll be greeted by a slice of heaven all to yourself, with geothermal hot springs that are to die for.
Keep in mind that you’ll need a high clearance vehicle or a 4X4 to get through the dirt roads before you arrive at the start of the Turkey Creek Hot Springs Trail.
23. San Francisco Hot Springs
Another collection of hot springs in the Gila National Forest, the San Francisco Hot Springs, are free to access and open to the public. The rock and gravel pools are the most significant tributaries of the San Francisco River and a great place to spend a day with friends after a short 1,5-mile hike through the forest.
You’ll need to cross the San Francisco River on the trail there, so make sure you bring water shoes for the journey. It’s also wise to bring a shovel along with you, as the soaking pools tend to get washed out from the river run-off. You can quickly dig them out again, however, after which you’ll be able to immerse yourself in the incredible 106-degree water.
24. Faywood Hot Springs
Faywood Hot Springs is a natural, geothermal hot springs resort with campgrounds, RV sites, and private cabins for overnight stays. Interestingly, Faywood offers both clothing-optional and clothing-required options. If you’re a naturist, this may be the resort you’re seeking out for your next vacation.
There are no one-person pools available, as the smallest tub holds up to four people. Three other communal pools hold up to ten people each. The cost per person for the small pool is $34 (£25) per adult or $17 (£12) per child. For the group pools, adults pay $18 (£13) each, and kids pay $9 (£7) each.
25. Sundial Hot Springs
Also in the Gila National Forest, Sundial Hot Springs is a hidden oasis located beside the San Francisco River. There are two hot spring pools you can choose from, which you can use day or night. Keep in mind that you’ll need to reserve your place online at least 48 hours before your arrival.
The “Little Pool” holds up to three people and operates during winter and autumn. The “Big Pool” operates in summer and spring and holds up to ten people. Both pools are clothing-optional. If you’d like to stay overnight, there are two RV sites on the property, two tent sites, and a cabin to rent. No overnight stays are allowed during the winter, however.
26. Ponce de Leon Hot Springs
Also known as the Taos Pueblo Tribal Hot Springs, the Ponce de Leon Hot Springs are located along a steep canyon in the Carson National Forest. There are three gravel-bottomed hot spring pools to choose from, which the public can freely access. However, the land is owned by the Pueblos tribe, so be respectful and clean up after yourself when you’re done soaking.
⇒ If you’re enjoying this article you’ll love my articles on 15 North America Landmarks, the 10 Most Famous Landmarks in the US, 7 Most Beautiful Bridges American Bridges, 60 Most Famous Landmarks in the World, 9 Gorgeous Lakes Canada has on offer, 23 Must See Landmarks in Mexico, 15 Most Beautiful States in the US, 31 California Landmarks, 16 Most Beautiful Cities in Canada, 17 Washington DC Landmarks Not to Miss, 29 Arizona Landmarks, 11 Beautiful Canada Landmarks and the 20 Most Beautiful Cities in the United States.
Using the hot springs is completely free, and the public can soak during the day only. To get there, simply use your GPS to find the parking lot on Miranda Canyon Road. From there, it’s an easy mile-long hike through the forest to find the springs.
27. Ten Thousand Waves Spa
This spa and resort is one of the more unique ones on this list, as its decor and atmosphere are Japanese-inspired. You can book a suite with its own private hot spring or make use of the public hot pools and cold plunge pools on the hotel property. There is also a Japanese restaurant you can dine at for your post-soak meal.
The hot tubs are kept around 105°F – 107°F, and there are also saunas on-site you can take a steam in. For something different and luxurious, this spa may be the one for you.
⇒ Read more reviews on TripAdvisor ⇒ Book Now
28. Sunnyville Hot Springs Resort
The Sunnyville Hot Springs Resort is an RV park and glamping campground with natural mineral hot springs on offer. There are three multi-person hot tubs available, as well as one single-person tub if you’d prefer total privacy.
The resort also has overnight accommodations for guests, such as vintage trailers and tents. Guests are given complimentary access to the hot spring pools during their stay.
29. Wilderness Lodge Hot Springs
This lodge is over 100 years old and a staple amongst New Mexico’s numerous hot spring spas. The historic lodge boasts two geothermal pools, which are rich in minerals, completely natural and untreated. The water is delightful at a warm 105°F, and clothing is optional at both pools.
Another bonus of staying at the Wilderness Lodge is its direct access to Middle Fork Hot Springs. The lodge connects straight to the hiking trail so that you can enjoy both hot springs in one fabulous weekend away.
Hot Springs in New Mexico
Hopefully, you get to enjoy as many of the hot springs on this list as possible. If you’re planning on going hot-spring-hopping, you can arrange an incredible trip to New Mexico to see all of the amazing spring pools on offer. Whether you’re staying at a resort and taking a private soak or hiking into the forest to find a communal pool, New Mexico is rife with hot spring opportunities.
Related Posts:
Radium Hot Springs in Colorado
Hot Springs in Steamboat Springs
Hot Springs in Pagosa Springs Colorado
I covered all of the costs associated with writing this article. However, this hot springs of New Mexico post includes affiliate links. That means if you click through and end up making a purchase I will receive a small commission. I wanted to make sure you were aware of this.
Note – it wasn’t easy to find photos of New Mexico Hot Springs. I found most of the photos for this post on Facebook. Once a pic is on facebook it is in the public domain. However, if one of these photos is yours just put a comment on this post. I would be very happy to add a photo credit and provide you with a back link to your website/facebook page etc.