Hot Well Dunes Recreation Area
- Call for prices
- 106°F
- Walk-in OK
A remote BLM recreation area about 35 miles from Safford where two cement tubs are filled with about 106°F water from an artesian well and solar pump. The tubs fill from roughly an hour after sunrise to an hour before sunset and drain nightly. The site also has about 2,000 acres of off-highway-vehicle dunes and basic campsites.
BLM upgrades June 2026-Jan 2027 include moving the tubs away from flood risk; site stays open, toilets and campsites may be affected.
- Price
- Call for prices
- Water
- 106°F
- Nearest town
- Safford
- Reservations
- Walk-in OK
Plan your visit
Hours & season
| Hours |
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|---|---|
| Season |
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Tickets & booking
| Price |
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|---|---|
| Access | Day pass, walk-ins welcome |
Rules
| Swimwear |
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|---|---|
| Ages |
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| Dogs | Yes |
On site
| Pools | 2 |
|---|---|
| Lodging | No |
Water temperature
Soaking-pool temperatures as published by the venue or land agency; they vary with season and flow.
Facilities
- Restrooms: yes
- Sauna: no
| Good to know |
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|---|
What's here
- two cement hot tubs fed by an artesian well
- about 2,000 acres of OHV sand dunes
- 10 tent/RV sites with grills
- dispersed camping
- vault toilets
- wildlife viewing ponds
Getting there
| Elevation | 3,365 ft |
|---|---|
| Road |
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| Parking |
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Things to do near Safford
Gila Box Riparian National Conservation Area
BLM river canyon with floating, birding, Bonita Creek and two developed campgrounds.
Campgrounds
- Hot Well Dunes Recreation Area0.7 mi
- Arcadia Campground23.7 mi
- Stockton Pass Campground24.5 mi
Straight-line distances. Campground and trailhead data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Nearby springs
Kachina Mineral Springs Spa
A family-run mineral spa near Safford, operating since 1993, with private indoor soaking tubs reserved for one party at a time and a reservable outdoor mineral pond and hot tub area. Massage and Reiki sessions include time in the tubs. Swimsuits are optional indoors and required outside, where guests must be 12 or older.
San Francisco Hot Springs
A few undeveloped pools beside the San Francisco River about 2 miles southwest of Pleasanton, reached by Trail #250 from a signed Forest Service trailhead off US 180. The trailhead is day use (dawn to dusk) with no fee. State tourism notes a second trailhead with a short, scenic hike to another soaking spot.
Turkey Creek Hot Springs
Springs deep in the Gila Wilderness that reach about 165°F at the source and are cooled by Turkey Creek. State tourism says rock-lined pools are built here but often wash out, and a larger swimming hole with warm seepage gives a more reliable soak. Getting there takes a tough drive and a hike, and it is well known, so expect company.
Kachina Mineral Springs Spa: 23 mi · San Francisco Hot Springs: 60 mi · Turkey Creek Hot Springs: 69 mi
Sources (7)
· checked November 2026
Prices, hours and rules are checked against the official site and land-agency pages. Spot something out of date? Let us know.
- Official site: Hot well dunes
- Official site: Blm improve amenities access hot well dunes recreation area
- Official site: Temporary maintenance closure hot tubs hot well dunes recreation area
- visitgrahamcounty.com: Explore hot well dunes recreation area
- Official site: Gila box riparian national conservation area
- azstateparks.com: Roper lake
- visitgrahamcounty.com