The natural hot springs of the Four Corners region have been used for relaxation and healing since the earliest people lived here. Hot mineral-rich waters bubble out of the ground in abundance in this area due to the geologic history that created this dramatic landscape.
When we soak in hot springs, we are enjoying the results of water soaking deep into the earth, becoming heated due to proximity to the earth’s mantle, and then returning to the surface along fault lines. The long-ago formation of the Rocky Mountains caused the faults that helped develop the hot springs in which we relax. Volcanic activity in the region also contributes to forming some of the region’s hot springs.
There are no hard lines that define the edges of the Four Corners region that is centered upon the spot where Utah, Arizona, Colorado, and New Mexico meet. You can find hot springs in all the Four Corners states, but we’re going to focus on springs in Colorado and New Mexico that are closest to the center of the Four Corners. Colorado alone is recorded as having 93 developed and undeveloped hot springs, so let’s start there.
Pagosa Springs, Colorado
One of the larger hot springs areas in the Four Corners is Pagosa Springs in southern Colorado, about 75 minutes east of Durango along State Highway 160. Pagosa Springs holds the title as the world’s deepest geothermal hot springs. It measured 1,002 feet deep into the Earth, the farthest the measuring device could go. So, who knows how deep it really is?
The San Juan River flows through the town of Pagosa Springs, with spring waters bubbling up along the way. Soakers can visit one of the area’s resorts for luxurious soaking or find one of the riverside pools for free, more rustic soaks. Rainbow Hot Springs is a popular free soaking spot that you can reach after a 4.5 mile hike.
Ouray, Colorado
The City of Ouray operates huge hot spring pools that can be enjoyed by residents and visitors alike. They note that these hot springs lack the distinctive sulfur smell that so many hot springs have due to the minerals in the water.
Jemez Springs, New Mexico
North of Albuquerque and west of Santa Fe is Jemez Springs, where you can explore some free soaking pools located off New Mexico State Route 4. McCauley Hot Spring is accessed from the trail at the foot of Battleship Rock off State Route 4. Spence Hot Springs can be found about 1.5 miles west on NM 4 after the intersection of NM 126 and 4. Follow the trail to the springs. Spence Hot Springs and McCauley Hot Springs are both known as clothing-optional springs, so be aware!
While you’re in the area, check out the Jemez Springs Soda Dam, a dome created by deposits of calcium carbonate and travertine under which the river rushes. A portion of this large structure was destroyed to make room for State Route 4, which has changed the dynamics of the dam and the flow of the river. There are 15 hot springs in the area, heated by the volcanic magma of nearby Valles Caldera.
More Hot Springs in New Mexico
The Land of Enchantment is home to many other hot springs which are outside the undefined borders of the Four Corners. Ojo Caliente, for example, is north of Santa Fe and is renowned for its hot mineral springs. The town of Truth or Consequences in Southern New Mexico is home to numerous hot springs offered by businesses throughout the community.
There are several free hot springs to which you can hike in the Gila National Forest, like Jordan, Lightfeather, and Turkey Creek Hot Springs. Be sure to check the distance and difficulty of the hike before heading out and keep an eye on the weather conditions.
A Word of Caution
If you are visiting natural hot springs in the wild, be aware that no testing is done of the water to ensure its safety, so avoid drinking it or getting it in your nose. Be cautious of the temperature of the hot springs as they vary widely and the hotter pools can burn your skin. Also watch for poison ivy, an encounter with which could ruin your pleasant memories of the excursion!