Ojo Caliente, NM
Ojo Caliente Mineral Springs Resort & Spa
One of America's oldest health resorts, Ojo Caliente sits between rugged desert cliffs and a cottonwood bosque between Santa Fe and Taos. Twelve communal pools deliver…
Jemez Mountains · Jemez Springs, NM
A true backcountry reward, San Antonio's terraced stone pools cling to a forested hillside deep in the Santa Fe National Forest. Water cascades from pool to pool, cooling as it descends, with sweeping views of the Jemez Mountains. Reaching them means driving rough Forest Road 376 — closed in winter, turning the trip into a long hike — plus a short trail walk. Free and clothing-optional, with no facilities.
No reservations — wild springs are first-come, first-served. Some trailheads require a parking pass or day-use fee, so check the listing details and current land-manager rules before you go.
Swimwear and a towel, drinking water, a trash bag (pack out everything, including food scraps), and a headlamp if you're staying for sunset. Never bring glass near a wild spring — broken glass in a pool ruins it for everyone.
Wild spring temperatures shift with seasons, rainfall, and river levels — a pool that's perfect in October can be scalding or flooded in May. Test the water with a hand before getting in, and check recent trip reports for current conditions.
Keep exploring
Ojo Caliente, NM
One of America's oldest health resorts, Ojo Caliente sits between rugged desert cliffs and a cottonwood bosque between Santa Fe and Taos. Twelve communal pools deliver…
Jemez Springs, NM
This riverside soak in the village of Jemez Springs — long known as Giggling Springs — pairs mineral-rich pools with cottonwood views along the Jemez River. Four pools…
Jemez Springs, NM
Perched on a hillside above the East Fork of the Jemez River near Soda Dam, Spence is the valley's beloved free soak: a short, sometimes slick trail off NM-4 leads to…