San Antonio Hot Springs Parking
Parking lot
4.6 (17)
Forest Service Rd 376, Jemez Springs, NM 87025
This location may be clothing-optional or adjacent to adult content. We do not display adult imagery and recommend discretion. Families should verify suitability.
Regional Hot-Spring, Trail And River-Viewpoint PlanningNM
Jemez Springs Natural Swimming Spots
By Hidden Swimming Holes Team · Record updated
Background: generated illustration, not a photograph of this location.
Plan McCauley, San Antonio and Spence springs separately from Soda Dam and Gilman Tunnels. Check forest roads, fees, current notices and soaking restrictions.
Swimming restriction
Follow each named spring's rules and current orders. Spence is day-use only: no glass, camping, campfires or nudity; avoid nose immersion in unmonitored warm water. No jumping or river-depth guarantee.
Water type
Regional Hot-Spring, Trail And River-Viewpoint Planning
Access
Informal
Fee
Battleship Rock and Jemez Falls trailheads list $5 day use; check each other destination and campground separately.
Best season
Check the named destination, current notices and weather before choosing a date
Nearby towns
Jemez Springs
Water body
Mccauley, San Antonio And Spence Spring Waters; Distinct Jemez/Guadalupe River Features
Location
Map & Directions
Nearby towns
Jemez Springs
Access location not verified
Jemez Springs, NM
Approximate location based on the nearest town. Confirm the exact spot and access before you go.
Sources & checks
This is a desk-researched listing. A record update or map check does not confirm current swimming permission or water conditions.
- Swimming rules
- Current swimming permission has not been independently confirmed for this listing. Check with the land manager before entering the water.
- Access location not verified
- The recorded location has no completed source check. Confirm the entrance, legal access, and parking before travelling.
- Record updated
- · This is a data update, not a field visit.
Found an error? Send a correction with the location and a source. How we research listings.
Pick one Jemez outing, with the right approach
The regional record names McCauley Warm Springs, San Antonio Hot Springs, Spence Hot Spring, Soda Dam and Gilman Tunnels. These are different trail, spring and roadside experiences. A commercial pool called Jemez Hot Springs is not a photo or admission match for all five.
McCauley: use East Fork Trail 137
The Forest Service identifies McCauley access on Trail 137. Its Battleship Rock trailhead page places the springs two miles from that starting point and lists a $5 vehicle day-use fee, vault toilet and no potable water. Jemez Falls is a different trailhead, also with a listed $5 day-use fee. Use the current mapped route; do not copy the old fee-avoidance parking advice or interchange the archive’s conflicting trail numbers.
San Antonio: road access changes the outing
The current manager describes primitive rock-lined soaking pools and a 0.7-mile out-and-back approach at the end of five miles on FR 376 North. Confirm the gate, road condition and trailhead access before deciding the hike length. No potable water is provided, and restroom information is not established.
Spence: small, day-use-only springs
The manager lists a small parking area, no restrooms or drinking water, and no camping, campfires or glass along the trail or at the spring. It warns that water quality is unmonitored and visitors should avoid getting water in their noses. Follow clothing and leashed-dog rules; do not treat clear water as tested water.
Soda Dam and Gilman Tunnels are not certified pools
Local official visitor information supports these scenic attractions, but it does not establish safe depths or approved bathing entries beneath the falls or canyon ledges. Plan viewpoints rather than jumps or an improvised river descent.
Current notices matter more than an old closure headline
The July 2026 McCauley fire notice had a stated August end date. Later Jemez Falls pages list the site open. Check the live forest alerts and the exact starting area; do not declare every spring closed from a past fire notice or assume every route is available today.
Before departure
Contact the Jemez Ranger District at 575-829-3535, bring drinking water and pack out waste. Use current forest alerts with each named recreation page. Camping rules and fees are site-specific.
Getting There
Select the exact destination and current Forest Service trailhead map. McCauley uses East Fork Trail 137; San Antonio requires an FR 376 North gate/road check before the listed 0.7-mile approach. Spence has its own small parking area. No current bathing descent is established for Soda Dam or Gilman Tunnels.
Quick Navigation
Access Notes
Current exact-site notices govern; expired fire notices are not a blanket ongoing closure or a daily-opening guarantee.
Plan Your Visit
Parking & Access
Confirm the entrance, parking arrangements, and legal access with the land manager. A map pin does not establish a public right of access. Follow posted routes and never block gates or driveways.
Regulations & Fees
Follow each named spring's rules and current orders. Spence is day-use only: no glass, camping, campfires or nudity; avoid nose immersion in unmonitored warm water. No jumping or river-depth guarantee. Public park access does not necessarily include permission to swim. Respect private property and posted restrictions.
Seasonality & Flow
Water conditions can change quickly. This listing does not provide a current safety or water-quality assessment. Check official alerts and avoid entering water when conditions or permission are uncertain.
What to Bring
Bring sturdy water shoes to protect your feet on rocks and slippery surfaces. A waterproof dry bag keeps your phone, keys, and valuables safe. Pack a quick-dry towel, sun protection, and drinking water - never drink from the natural water source.
Nearby Facilities
Nearby places from saved public map data, not necessarily facilities at the swimming spot. Confirm access, hours, fees, and amenities with the operator before you drive.
Map data retrieved 2026-06-15
Las Conchas Trailhead
Hiking area
4.9 (388)
NM-4, Jemez Springs, NM 87025
Jemez Falls Trailhead
Hiking area
4.7 (89)
East Fork River, Jemez Springs, NM 87025
East Fork Jemez River Trail
Hiking area
4.9 (40)
Jemez Springs, NM 87025
Camp May
Campground
4.6 (43)
Camp May Rd, Los Alamos, NM 87544
Public restroomRestroomTent sites
Juniper Campground
Campground
4.6 (187)
Juniper Campground, 15 Entrance Rd, White Rock, NM 87547
Public restroomRestroomRunning waterTent sites
Diablo Canyon Campground
Campground
4.8 (5)
Old Buckman Rd, Los Alamos, NM 87544
Public restroom
Main Gate Park Public Bathroom
Public bathroom
3 (4)
2700 E Rd, Los Alamos, NM 87544
Frequently Asked Questions About Jemez Springs Natural Swimming Spots
Which entrance should I use for McCauley Warm Springs?
Choose a current East Fork Trail 137 starting area with the Forest Service map. Battleship Rock and Jemez Falls are different trailheads; check the exact route and notices.
Do I need to pay at Battleship Rock or Jemez Falls trailheads?
Current manager pages list $5 day-use charges. Use authorized parking and the payment arrangement; do not follow old advice to park nearby to avoid the fee.
How does the FR 376 gate affect San Antonio Hot Springs?
The listed spring approach follows five miles of FR 376 North to the short trail. If vehicle access is restricted, the outing changes substantially; confirm current access before setting out.
Are there restrooms and drinking water at Spence?
The manager lists no restrooms or potable water. Bring drinking water; the spring is not a drinking-water source.
Can I camp or soak without restrictions at Spence?
No. It is day use only, with no camping, campfires or glass along the trail or spring. Follow clothing, dog and posted rules; water quality is not monitored.
Are Soda Dam and Gilman Tunnels verified swimming pools?
No current primary source reviewed here establishes a designated bathing entrance or safe depth at those river features. Choose permitted scenic viewpoints and verify water-entry rules separately.
Location & Area Map
Safety Information
Important Safety Tips
Do not jump or dive. Warm spring water is not a tested drinking source; follow manager warnings about nose immersion and current weather/route conditions.
Cultural & Historical Context
Historical Background
Respect protected sites and local rules; no invented cultural associations.
Photography Guide
Photo Opportunities
Photograph only from permitted viewpoints and respect visitors' privacy. Scenery is not a current water-condition report.
Conservation & Ethics
Protect This Place
Respect property boundaries, use authorized routes and carry out waste.
Explore More Nearby Swimming Guides
More New Mexico swimming holes
Browse every listed natural swimming spot in New Mexico.
Regional hot-spring swimming holes
Find similar regional hot-spring destinations across the directory.
Hidden gems in New Mexico
See under-the-radar places and local favorites in the same state.
Family-friendly spots in New Mexico
Compare easier-access destinations and safer planning options.
Check water quality before swimming
Use this safety guide before entering any natural water.
You Might Also Like
At a Glance
Best Time to Visit
Check the named destination, current notices and weather before choosing a date.
Difficulty Level
Route-specific: Battleship Rock to McCauley listed two miles one way; San Antonio approach depends on FR 376 vehicle access. No regional easy-access guarantee.
Fee
Battleship Rock and Jemez Falls trailheads list $5 day use; check each other destination and campground separately.
Facilities
Trailhead facilities do not extend to every spring or river feature. Bring drinking water.
Activities
Forest Service-recognized primitive soaking at McCauley, San Antonio and Spence subject to current access/rules; authorized hiking and scenic visits at separate river landmarks.
Phone
575-829-3535
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.
You are responsible for your own safety and for following all posted signs, laws, and local regulations. Read the full disclaimer.
Camping Information
Spence prohibits camping. Battleship trailhead prohibits overnight camping within a quarter mile; other forest setback and campground rules are separate.
Loading weather data…
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.
J
Joshua Havens
Founder & Editor, Hidden Swimming Holes
Joshua Havens created Hidden Swimming Holes to make it easier for people to find — and safely visit — natural freshwater swimming destinations across the United States. He researches access conditions, water quality resources, and land management rules so you don't have to start from scratch. He holds a strong belief that good outdoor recreation information should be accurate, honest about its limitations, and freely available.
Explore More Swimming Holes
Discover other amazing natural swimming destinations across America