Santa Fe Hot Springs: 14 Best Locations Reviewed

Santa Fe hot springs are known as the best worldwide. If you’re trying to get away from the city’s frenetic energy and into a peaceful haven, I invite you to check out this review and learn about the 14 top hot springs. Let’s get started!

Quick Answer

Some of the best hot springs in New Mexico, like the Riverbend hot springs, are located near its capital, Santa Fe, and are considered one of the highlights of this region as they attract a lot of tourists. For good reason too, because they provide a relaxing and soothing experience that will be difficult to find elsewhere.

Continue reading to find out their special features as well as learn the essential items you need to carry with you to make your trip to a Santa Fe hot spring as perfect as can be.

1. Ten Thousand Waves (4.3 miles)

Ten Thousand Waves is located near Santa Fe and is modeled after the Japanese mountain towns’ authentic natural hot springs. You’ll feel like you’ve been transported to Japan the moment you arrive at the resort. There is a hot tub, sauna, and private changing room with showers in every apartment.

Read also: Hot Springs San Diego: 7 Places in Southern California Bliss

The tubs need reservations, which is not the case at some other spas. The typical temperature in a sauna is 180 degrees Fahrenheit, whereas the water in the hot tubs is kept between 104 and 106 degrees.

Overview

Let’s take a quick look at some important information and features:

Features:

The following are the important highlights:

• Treatments like deep stone massages, Japanese shiatsu, and organic facials from Japan are all available to schedule at the spa.
• You can also take a break from soaking for a while and have lunch at the resort’s Izanami, a premium take on traditional Japanese cuisine.
• The restaurant’s vast sake menu features cold sakes crafted in small batches by master brewers, and the food is authentic Japanese.

2. Ojo Santa Fe Spa Resort (14 miles)

One of the hot springs near Santa Fe, just 14 miles out of town, is the Ojo Santa Fe Spa Resort. However, this spa is not just any normal spa. Indulge in luxurious spa treatments, relax in soothing hot springs, or rejuvenate in saltwater pools at this one-of-a-kind vacation spot.

Water from the resort’s private spring goes through three filters before it reaches the thermal pools, where it is heated to a variety of pleasant degrees.

Location

Overview

Quickly reviewing some key details and features:

Recommended reading: 9 Best Free Northern New Mexico Hot Springs to Explore

Features:

The following are the important things:

• Ojo Santa Fe Spa is home to the one-of-a-kind “float tank”, an experience that can only be reserved in advance.
• You can also book the Oijotos pools, which are private and where clothing is entirely optional.
• You can indulge in a wide variety of spa treatments, from therapeutic massages to hot oil therapy.
• When hunger strikes, visit the Blue Heron Restaurant, which is located on the premises and serves great seasonal dishes.

3. Ojo Caliente Mineral Springs Resort & Spa (49 miles)

If you’re seeking the best place to relax and let your cares melt away, think about checking into the Ojo Caliente Minerals Springs Resort and Spa. There are seven different pools to enjoy. Each offers a one-of-a-kind experience with its own distinct natural water.

You may make the most of your trip by staying for an extended period of time thanks to the plentiful housing and delicious dining options available on-site.

Location

Overview

Let’s take a quick look at some important information and features:

Features:

Let’s check out the important features:

• This beautiful resort offers a wide variety of exciting pursuits, a natural hot spring, and spa services to make your stay more memorable.
• The mud pool is a special feature of this resort, as it is widely believed to help clean the skin’s pores, resulting in more radiant skin.
• If you wish to have a prolonged stay, you can choose from various rooms, cottages, and even antique trailers to stay in.

4. Montezuma Hot Springs (67 miles)

The Native Americans who first used the pools here to treat their wounds after the battle are just the beginning of the springs’ rich history. Large numbers of people seeking restorative waters led to the establishment of the Montezuma Hotel in the 1890s.

Location

Overview

Let’s have a look at some key specs and features:

Features:

The following are the important highlights:

• The Montezuma hot springs offer free parking to all visitors.
• There are a total of nine pools at this place, spread across three distinct bathing areas with a range of temperatures to accommodate everyone at your party.
• The temperature in “The Lobster Pot” can reach 120 degrees Fahrenheit, although the neighboring pools are a more comfortable 95 degrees.

Read Also: La Ventana Mexico: Exciting Place That Will Not Leave You Indifferent

5. Ponce de Leon Hot Springs (76.2 miles)

After a long day of trekking in Carson National Forest, the Ponce de Leon Hot Springs are exactly what the doctor ordered. This free and easy 1.5-mile trip leads to an abandoned hot spring resort not far from Taos.

The local people keep this “warm spring” (as opposed to a “hot spring”) clean and well-maintained.

Location

Overview

Let’s take a quick look at some important information and features:

Features:

The following are the important highlights:

• A hiking trail is also present nearby.
• Clothing is optional at these hot springs.

Read also: Hot Springs in Southern California: 15 Great Locations

6. Black Rock Hot Springs (82 miles)

The Black Rock Hot Springs near Santa Fe is another well-liked destination. Roughly 30 minutes outside Taos is where you’ll find this naturally occurring hot spring. It’s not a very far walk, but you’ll need sturdy footwear because of the uneven terrain.

Location

Overview

Quickly reviewing some key details and features:

Features:

The following are the important highlights:

• When you go to the springs, you’ll find two pools waiting for you. Each of the hot spring pools, surrounded by rock, ranges in temperature from 97 to 101 degrees Fahrenheit, with one being slightly hotter than the others.
• There are no restaurants or cafes at this natural hot spring so be sure to bring your own eatables and drinkables.

7. Manby (Stagecoach) Hot Springs (82 miles) – Private/Closed

Manby Hot Springs, also known as Stagecoach Hot Springs, is a popular destination located only 3.2 miles from Black Rock Hot Springs. That’s because it’s in the decaying remains of an old, abandoned stagecoach stop, giving it a really one-of-a-kind setting.

Location

Overview

Let’s have a look at some key specs and features:

Features:

The following are the important highlights:

• Manby Springs is not yet accessible to the general public, but when it is, it will feature six-person pools filled with mineral water heated to a comfortable 97 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Clothing is optional in this hot spring.

8. Jemez Hot Springs (86 miles)

The Jemez Hot Springs was established in the 1800s, but the mineral waters there are still highly sought to this day.

The Inner Peace Pool, the Meditation Pool, the Fountain of Youth Pool, and the Reflecting Pool are just a few of the swimming options available at this venue

Location

Overview

Let’s take a quick look at some important information and features:

Features:

The following are the important highlights:

• The pools contain seawater that dates back thousands of years, providing a mineral-rich experience for bathers.
• The Jemez Hot Springs takes great pride in providing guests with pristine baths that do not use chemical sanitation. Instead, they use UV lights and ionizers to keep the water in their pools safe for swimming.
• You need not wander far to get suitable accommodations for the night at the Jemez Hot Springs. There are three recently remodeled rooms here that can each accommodate four or five guests.

9. Jemez Springs Bath House (86 miles)

The Village of Jemez Springs has owned and managed the historic Jemez Springs Bath House since its opening in 1876. All money made at this bathhouse stays in the community. It is in the beautiful northern New Mexico region.

With eight extra-large cement hot tubs, this charming spot purportedly captures the peace of the valley. Hot or cold, mineral-enriched water in the tubs is always at the perfect temperature for the individual.

Location

Overview

Quickly reviewing some key details and features:

Features:

Let’s check out the features:

• Spa services are available at the Jemez Springs, and they include blankets and herbal wraps, and massages of 30, 60, and 90 minutes.
• There is a quaint gift shop right at the front for all your shopping needs. You can pick something to remind you of your vacation or treat yourself to one of the various cosmetics and jewelry items sold here.

10. Bodhi Manda Zen Center Motel and Hot Springs (86.8 miles)

The Bodhi Manda Zen Center, whose name translates to “Place of Enlightenment,” is located in New Mexico’s scenic Jemez Mountains. In Spring and Fall, the springs are off-limits due to monk training.

Location

Overview

Let’s have a look at some key specs and features:

Features:

The following are the important highlights:

• You can expect to find wonderful natural springs that will sure put you in a relaxed state, as well as comfortable overnight lodgings.
• Clothing, however, is mandatory at this location.

11. Soda Dam Hot Springs (88.2 miles)

The Soda Dam Hot Springs offers a wide variety of pools to suit your needs. Around the pools, the magical calcium carbonate structures have been growing for the past seven thousand years.

One of the best sites to take a dip in the state, these hot springs are known for their unusual geology.

Location

Overview

Let’s have a look at some key specs and features:

Features:

The following are the important highlights:

• This hot spring has over 15 different pools to choose from, with clothing being a personal choice.
• There is a hiking trail present as well.

12. Spence Hot Springs (93 miles)

The Spence Hot Springs is located 7 miles from Jemez Springs. As you soak in the soothing waters, you can take in the spectacular scenery of the Jemez River and the surrounding mountains in the Valles Caldera National Preserve.

This location will allow you to soak in hot springs that have three levels and average 95 degrees Fahrenheit.

Location

Overview

Let’s take a quick look at some important information and features:

Features:

The following are the important highlights:

• The cave soak is a special feature of these hot springs. Those who are game enough to squeeze through the narrow entrance will find a cave with barely enough room for three people and temperatures that can reach 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Clothing is optional and there is a hiking trail present as well for those who wish to enjoy the scenery while taking a walk.

13. McCauley Warm Springs (96 miles)

On the weekends, the McCauley Warm Springs, one of the most famous local hot springs, can get very crowded. It is located near the Santa Fe National Forest.

These hot springs are accessible through a 3.4-mile round-trip climb with magnificent views of Battleship Rock, making them a favorite destination for outdoor adventurers and nature lovers alike.

Location

Overview

Let’s have a look at some key specs and features:

Features:

The following are the important highlights:

• Two huge, naturally occurring pools, each with a capacity of 20 people and a constant temperature of between 90 and 95 degrees Fahrenheit, are available at the site. Because of this, we usually refer to them as “warm springs” instead of “hot springs.”
• While clothing is mandatory at McCauley Warm Springs, it is still popular among naturists because the Forest Service isn’t very rigorous about bathing attire.
• It’s also important to remember that the local minnow population can try to bite on your toes while you soak.

14. San Antonio Hot Springs (104 miles)

The San Antonio Hot Springs is a picturesque waterfall amid the stunning New Mexico mountains. To get to them, you’ll have to walk about a mile from the parking area.

It is one of the best thermal springs near Santa Fe, being around a two-hour drive from it, and it includes both natural and resort-style vacations.

Location

Overview

Quickly reviewing some key details and features:

Features:

The following are the important highlights:

• Each of the several pools at the San Antonio hot springs features a unique rock wall design and temperature.
• Bathers can kick back, relax, and take in the breathtaking scenery at these wild and scenic hot springs.
• The San Antonio Campground is just a few miles away and welcomes tents and recreational vehicles. Clothing is also optional.

Recommended Items You Should Carry to the Santa Fe Hot Springs

If you want to have a perfect, relaxing time in a hot spring, you will need to bring some items with you. The important ones are:

1. Bathing suit: You should have a suitable bathing suit, which you may either wear under your clothing or change into once you arrive. Some people enjoy going nude in hot springs, but it’s nice to have alternatives.
2. Eatables and drinkables: It’s possible that you’ll have to walk quite a distance to reach a good spring. So be sure to bring something to eat and drink, and make sure you have plenty of water.
3. Sunscreen: New Mexico’s sun is no joke, with its altitude (over 7,000 feet) and abundance (over 300 bright days per year). Applying sunscreen before setting out on your hike is a good idea.
4. Spare clothes: You should bring some spare clothes if you intend to get additional spa services or eat before or after your bath.

FAQ

Conclusion

Here I have listed the best hot springs in the vicinity of Santa Fe in the state of New Mexico. Each one has its own theme and unique features. Some of them are located just 5-10 miles from Santa Fe while others are a bit further away.

However, all of them are sure to be a great choice. But, if you will ask me, I’d say go for Ten Thousand Waves. It’s worth it due to its Japanese theme and best-in-class deep stone massage.

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