Suggested Road Trip Stops

Southwest Springs Road Trip Ideas

A suggested shortlist to help you plan your own itinerary

Explore 6 directory listings in AZ, NV, NM as possible road-trip stops. Choose the stops that suit your plans, confirm access with each land manager, and arrange your route in a mapping service.

Compiled from the Hidden Swimming Holes directory. Route and travel times have not been verified.
Flexible
Schedule
Not measured
Distance
6
Suggested Stops
Varies by stop
Difficulty

Plan Your Own Itinerary

Explore 6 directory listings in AZ, NV, NM as possible road-trip stops. Choose the stops that suit your plans, confirm access with each land manager, and arrange your route in a mapping service.

Choose Your Travel Dates

Check each location's current opening dates, swimming rules, and local advisories before choosing travel dates.

How to Use This Itinerary

This is a shortlist of directory listings grouped by region and water type. Stop numbers are a suggested order, not a daily schedule. We have not checked the full driving route, measured its distance, or confirmed that every stop can be visited on the same trip. Choose your stops and check opening dates, swimming permissions, and reservations with each land manager before booking.

Seasonality & Weather

Check the weather forecast and official park or land-manager advisories for each stop close to your visit. A location's inclusion here does not establish that it is open or that swimming is permitted on your travel dates.

Driving & Logistics

Use the map links below to review individual legs, then adjust the stop order and check travel times. Map results use place names or a listed access point; confirm that the result is the correct public entrance or parking area before following directions. Include time for parking, walking, and any reservations when deciding how many stops fit in a day.

Packing Essentials

  • Water shoes with grip, quick-dry layers, warm layer for evenings
  • Sun protection (hat, UPF, sunscreen), electrolytes, and plenty of water
  • Microfiber towel, dry bag, compact first-aid kit
  • Trash bag - pack out everything

Safety & Responsibility

Respect closures, posted swimming rules, and private property. Do not enter the water when permission or conditions are uncertain. A route suggestion is not a safety assessment; use the official guidance for the exact location you plan to visit.

Trip Details

Schedule
Flexible
Distance
Not measured
States
AZ, NV, NM
Difficulty
Varies by stop

Suggested Stop Order

Use this list to compare possible stops. The illustration shows their order; it is not a geographic map or a measured driving route.

1
Suggested Stop 1

Agua Caliente Hot Springs

Consider Agua Caliente Hot Springs in AZ for your shortlist. Review the location page, confirm current access and swimming rules, and check the route before setting your schedule.

Check route in Google Maps
Tucson, Green Valley, AZ
2
Suggested Stop 2

Roper Lake

Consider Roper Lake in AZ for your shortlist. Review the location page, confirm current access and swimming rules, and check the route before setting your schedule.

Check route in Google Maps
Tucson, Safford, AZ
3
Suggested Stop 3

Goldstrike Canyon Hot Springs and Colorado River Spots

Consider Goldstrike Canyon Hot Springs and Colorado River Spots in NV for your shortlist. Review the location page, confirm current access and swimming rules, and check the route before setting your schedule.

Check route in Google Maps
Las Vegas, Henderson, Boulder City, NV
4
Suggested Stop 4

Mcgill Springs

Consider Mcgill Springs in NV for your shortlist. Review the location page, confirm current access and swimming rules, and check the route before setting your schedule.

Check route in Google Maps
Ely, Mcgill, NV
5
Suggested Stop 5

Faywood Hot Springs

Consider Faywood Hot Springs in NM for your shortlist. Review the location page, confirm current access and swimming rules, and check the route before setting your schedule.

Check route in Google Maps
El Paso (TX), Silver City, Las Cruces, Faywood, NM
6
Suggested Stop 6

Jemez Springs Natural Swimming Spots

Consider Jemez Springs Natural Swimming Spots in NM for your shortlist. Review the location page, confirm current access and swimming rules, and check the route before setting your schedule.

Check route in Google Maps
Albuquerque, Los Alamos, Jemez Springs, NM

Review Each Suggested Stop

1

Agua Caliente Hot Springs

Spring

Consider Agua Caliente Hot Springs in AZ for your shortlist. Review the location page, confirm current access and swimming rules, and check the route before setting your schedule.

Explore This Stop

Stop Details

Location
Tucson, Green Valley, AZ
Plan Your Arrival
Check route in Google Maps
Confirm the public entrance and parking.
Water Body
Agua Caliente Spring
Fees & Reservations
Check current charges and booking requirements with the land manager.
2

Roper Lake

Hot Springs/Lake

Consider Roper Lake in AZ for your shortlist. Review the location page, confirm current access and swimming rules, and check the route before setting your schedule.

Explore This Stop

Stop Details

Location
Tucson, Safford, AZ
From Previous Stop
Check route in Google Maps
Confirm the public entrance and parking.
Water Body
Varies
Fees & Reservations
Check current charges and booking requirements with the land manager.
3

Goldstrike Canyon Hot Springs and Colorado River Spots

Hot Springs/River

Consider Goldstrike Canyon Hot Springs and Colorado River Spots in NV for your shortlist. Review the location page, confirm current access and swimming rules, and check the route before setting your schedule.

Explore This Stop

Stop Details

Location
Las Vegas, Henderson, Boulder City, NV
From Previous Stop
Check route in Google Maps
Confirm the public entrance and parking.
Water Body
Hot Springs/Colorado River
Fees & Reservations
Check current charges and booking requirements with the land manager.
4

Mcgill Springs

Spring

Consider Mcgill Springs in NV for your shortlist. Review the location page, confirm current access and swimming rules, and check the route before setting your schedule.

Explore This Stop

Stop Details

Location
Ely, Mcgill, NV
From Previous Stop
Check route in Google Maps
Confirm the public entrance and parking.
Water Body
Mcgill Springs
Fees & Reservations
Check current charges and booking requirements with the land manager.
5

Faywood Hot Springs

Hot Spring

Consider Faywood Hot Springs in NM for your shortlist. Review the location page, confirm current access and swimming rules, and check the route before setting your schedule.

Explore This Stop

Stop Details

Location
El Paso (TX), Silver City, Las Cruces, Faywood, NM
From Previous Stop
Check route in Google Maps
Confirm the public entrance and parking.
Water Body
Hot Spring
Fees & Reservations
Check current charges and booking requirements with the land manager.
6

Jemez Springs Natural Swimming Spots

Swimming Holes and Hot Springs

Consider Jemez Springs Natural Swimming Spots in NM for your shortlist. Review the location page, confirm current access and swimming rules, and check the route before setting your schedule.

Explore This Stop

Stop Details

Location
Albuquerque, Los Alamos, Jemez Springs, NM
From Previous Stop
Check route in Google Maps
Confirm the public entrance and parking.
Water Body
Varies, See Below
Fees & Reservations
Check current charges and booking requirements with the land manager.

Safety & Access Notice

This information is for general planning only and may be incomplete, outdated, or inaccurate. Access rules, closures, water levels, currents, hazards, and legal restrictions can change at any time. Always verify current rules with the land manager or official source before visiting.

  • Do not swim where swimming is prohibited, unsafe, or not clearly allowed.
  • Follow posted signs, local regulations, closures, and private-property boundaries.
  • Assess conditions on site. Water flow, depth, temperature, and underwater hazards change quickly.
  • Never jump or dive without personally confirming depth and underwater obstacles.
  • Swim with a buddy and consider flotation for weak or non-swimmers.
  • Pack out all trash; respect wildlife and fragile environments.

You are responsible for your own safety and for following all posted signs, laws, and local regulations. Read the full disclaimer.

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