10 Hidden Gems

About San Francisco Hot Springs

Tucked into the remote southwestern corner of New Mexico, San Francisco Hot Springs is one of those rare places that rewards the effort it takes to reach it. Nestled within the vast expanse of Gila National Forest, this unofficial, undeveloped hot spring sits beside the San Francisco River, where geothermal waters bubble up from the earth and mingle with the cool, clear flow of the river nearby. There are no signs directing you in, no parking attendants, no concession stands — just wilderness, water, and silence. For those willing to make the hike, the payoff is a soaking experience that feels genuinely wild and deeply restorative.

The Setting and Landscape

The landscape surrounding San Francisco Hot Springs is quintessential high desert canyon country. Rugged hillsides draped in juniper, cottonwood, and scrub oak frame the river corridor, while the sky overhead tends toward that particular saturated blue that New Mexico is famous for. The San Francisco River carves a gentle but determined path through this terrain, and the hot springs emerge at the riverbank, forming natural pools warmed by geothermal activity beneath the surface. The air carries the faint mineral scent common to hot spring environments, and in the quieter moments between breezes, you can hear nothing but birdsong and the soft rush of moving water. Wildlife sightings — deer, raptors, the occasional javelina — are genuinely possible in this biodiversity-rich stretch of the Gila.

The Water Experience

The springs themselves offer a contrast that makes the experience particularly satisfying: geothermally heated pools warm enough to soak tired muscles, situated just steps from the cooler flow of the river where you can swim and cool off between soaks. The pools vary in temperature depending on proximity to the source, so you can find a spot that suits your comfort. Because this is an undeveloped, unofficial site, water conditions can shift with the seasons and weather — river levels rise in spring runoff and after monsoon rains, which can affect both access and the character of the pools. Always check with the local ranger station before you go, as trail and river conditions can change significantly.

Planning Your Visit

San Francisco Hot Springs is a hike-in destination, and the trail difficulty is rated moderate, though conditions underfoot can vary considerably with weather and season. The most pleasant windows for a visit are spring — roughly March through May — and fall, from September through November, when temperatures are mild and the landscape is at its most inviting. Summer visits are possible but can be intensely hot in the canyon, while winter may limit access entirely. There are no facilities of any kind on-site — pack everything in and pack everything out. No fee is charged to visit. Camping is not permitted at the springs themselves, but primitive camping is available elsewhere in Gila National Forest, and established camping can be found at Cottonwood Campground further north along Route 180.

Plan Your Visit: San Francisco Hot Springs is most conveniently accessed from the small community of Glenwood, New Mexico, which sits closest to the trailhead area. Silver City, roughly an hour and a half away, offers a fuller range of lodging, dining, and supplies and makes an excellent base for exploring this corner of the Gila. Las Cruces, further to the south, is another option for those traveling from the east or south. Before heading out, stop in at the nearest ranger district office to confirm current trail and river conditions.

About Taos Hot Springs: Black Rock and Manby Hot Springs

Tucked deep within the dramatic walls of the Rio Grande Gorge, the Black Rock and Manby hot springs offer one of northern New Mexico's most rewarding and ruggedly beautiful natural soaking experiences. Managed as an unofficial BLM area, these geothermal pools demand a bit of effort to reach — steep canyon trails and unpaved roads are part of the journey — but visitors who make the descent are rewarded with something rare: crystal-clear, odorless hot spring water pooled in sandy-bottomed basins, framed by sweeping views of ancient basalt canyon walls and the cold, rushing Rio Grande just steps away.

The Setting: A Canyon Unlike Any Other

The Rio Grande Gorge near Taos is a geological wonder — a narrow slash in the high desert plateau where the river has carved hundreds of feet through layers of volcanic rock over millions of years. Down here at river level, the scale of the canyon becomes visceral. Rust-colored cliff walls loom overhead, ravens wheel on the thermals above, and the sound of the river fills the air. At Manby Hot Springs, the atmosphere takes on a layer of history: the crumbling ruins of an old stagecoach building stand nearby, lending the site a faintly mysterious, time-worn character that sets it apart from more manicured destinations. The combination of geological drama, historical intrigue, and geothermal warmth creates an atmosphere that feels genuinely wild.

The Water: Soaking in the Gorge

The hot springs themselves are a delight for the senses. The geothermal water is notably clear and free of the sulfuric odor common to many hot springs — you can peer straight down through the water to the sandy bottom of each pool. Temperatures vary by pool and by season, but the warmth seeps into tired muscles in a way that's deeply satisfying after the hike down. In warmer months, the Rio Grande flows close enough that you can cool off in the cold river current between soaks — a sharp, bracing contrast that will leave you feeling thoroughly alive. Spring and fall offer the most comfortable conditions overall, with mild air temperatures balancing the heat of the pools. Summer visits are entirely possible but can be intense, while winter access may be limited or closed by snow on the approach roads.

Practical Visit Information

There are no facilities at these springs — no restrooms, no trash cans, no lifeguards, and no developed camping on site. Primitive camping may be permitted in the surrounding BLM area; check with local BLM offices before planning an overnight stay. The trails into the gorge are steep and require sturdy footwear and solid footing. There is no entrance fee for the site itself. Come prepared with water, sun protection, and everything you'll carry out with you. The area is unofficial and unsanctioned, so etiquette, Leave No Trace principles, and self-sufficiency matter here more than ever.

Plan Your Visit

The hot springs are most easily accessed from the Taos area, with the charming town of Taos just a short drive away — a perfect base for exploring galleries, restaurants, and the historic Taos Pueblo. The small community of Arroyo Hondo sits even closer to the gorge. Santa Fe, roughly an hour and a half south, makes a viable launching point for a longer northern New Mexico road trip that pairs these springs with the region's rich cultural landscape.

About the Jemez Springs Natural Swimming Spots

Tucked into the folds of north-central New Mexico's volcanic highlands, the Jemez Springs area delivers one of the Southwest's most rewarding collections of natural soaking and swimming destinations. Spread across the Santa Fe National Forest along the winding corridor of Route 4, these unofficial sites range from steaming hillside hot springs to cool, clear river pools shaded by cottonwoods and ponderosa pines. The Jemez Mountains rise around you in layers of red canyon wall and pine-covered ridgeline, giving the entire area a dramatic, ancient quality that feels worlds away from Albuquerque's city sprawl just an hour to the south.

The Setting and Landscape

The landscape here is the product of volcanic geology on a grand scale. Mineral-rich water seeps up through fractured basalt and rhyolite, feeding pools that range from pleasantly warm to genuinely hot. At Soda Dam, you'll find one of the most visually arresting geological formations in New Mexico — a calcium carbonate travertine dam spanning the Jemez River, complete with its own mineral-stained waterfall. Nearby, the historic Gilman Tunnels carve through sheer canyon rock, and the river below offers secluded, shaded swimming spots with a sense of discovery that never gets old. Each season transforms the canyon differently: wildflowers carpet the slopes in spring, summer brings lush green canopies and warm soaking weather, autumn ignites the hillsides in gold and amber, and winter turns the hot springs into steaming sanctuaries against the cold mountain air.

What the Swimming and Soaking Experience Is Like

The experience varies meaningfully from site to site. Spence Hot Springs is the most accessible — a short, easy trail leads to terraced rock pools perched above the Jemez River, where warm thermal water flows into tiered basins with views across the forested canyon. It draws a lively, social crowd and is the best introduction for first-timers. McCauley Warm Springs rewards a moderate hike with clear, blue-green pools that feel almost surreal against the surrounding pine forest — the water is comfortably warm rather than scalding, making it ideal for a long, relaxed soak. For those willing to earn their reward, San Antonio Hot Springs requires a longer approach and possibly a high-clearance vehicle, but the dramatic mountain views and deeply private atmosphere are unmatched. Facilities throughout the area are nonexistent, so come prepared and leave no trace.

Plan Your Visit

All sites listed here are free to access and operate as unofficial recreational areas within the Santa Fe National Forest — there are no lifeguards or safety personnel on site, so swim and soak at your own discretion. There are no restrooms or developed amenities at the springs themselves. If you're looking to make a weekend of it, several campgrounds line Route 4 through the national forest. Vista Linda Campground, located south of the town of Jemez Springs on Route 4, is a local favorite and reportedly has a swimming hole near site number 8. The town of Jemez Springs itself offers a quiet base with local character, while Los Alamos to the northeast and Albuquerque to the south provide full services, gear shops, and lodging. Come in summer for warm swimming, or winter for the unique pleasure of a hot soak in a snow-dusted canyon.