Verde Hot Springs
- Free
- Roadside
The ruins of a once-famous resort on the Verde River, reached by a short hike upstream and some wading from the Childs dispersed camping area. The last 6 miles to Childs on FR 502 are very rough, and the Forest Service highly recommends high clearance. There is no fee, potable water or garbage service.
Nov 2, 2026 flooding closed many Red Rock District sites; Childs is not on the list, but check road status first.
- Price
- Free
- Nearest town
- Camp Verde
- Hike (one way)
- Roadside
Plan your visit
Hours & season
| Season |
|
|---|
Tickets & booking
| Price |
|
|---|---|
| Access | Free public access |
On site
| Lodging | No |
|---|---|
| Camping nearby | Yes |
| Land manager | USFS |
Not stated by the land manager: swimwear, ages, dogs.
Soak responsibly
- Pack out everything, including food scraps and toilet paper. Use WAG bags where required.
- No soap, shampoo or sunscreen in the pools; rinse away from the water.
- Check permits and closures with USFS before you go.
- Keep groups small and give others space. Respect posted dog and camping rules.
Water temperature
This venue doesn't publish pool temperatures.
Mineral profile
Total dissolved minerals
3,140 mg/L
Extremely mineralized · Sodium–chloride (salty, brine-like water)
- pH
- 6.5
- Temp at source
- 103°F
- Fluoride
- 1.5 mg/L
- Boron
- 9.1 mg/L
- Iron
- 0.79 mg/L
Lab analysis of the source water at “A-11-06 10a Unsurv” (0.1 mi from Verde Hot Springs), sampled 1951–1979 by the USGS and partners (data). Pool water may be cooled, mixed or treated, and spring chemistry is generally stable over decades. We report measurements only; we don't make health claims.
What's here
- ruins of a former resort
- Verde Wild and Scenic River
- river wading on the approach
- free dispersed camping at Childs
- vault toilet at Childs
Getting there
| Elevation | 2,641 ft |
|---|---|
| Road |
|
| Trail |
|
| Parking |
|
Things to do near Camp Verde
Montezuma Castle National Monument
Cliff dwelling near Camp Verde with a short paved loop trail.
Campgrounds
Trailheads
Straight-line distances. Campground and trailhead data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Nearby springs
Castle Hot Springs
An adults-only, all-inclusive resort in the desert foothills northwest of Phoenix, reached by a 7-mile dirt road. Three natural-floored spring pools step down from the source at about 104-108°F, 98-102°F and 75-90°F, the last a 9-ft-deep swimming hole. The springs and spa are for registered overnight guests only, and swimwear is required.
El Dorado Hot Spring
A rustic soaking spot west of Phoenix in Tonopah with reservable private soaking areas and a communal, clothing-optional area called Desert Pete for guests 21 and over. Two studios with their own soaking areas and first-come primitive and electric campsites allow overnight stays. Phones are not allowed in the Desert Pete pool area.
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.
Castle Hot Springs: 45 mi · El Dorado Hot Spring: 92 mi · Kachina Mineral Springs Spa: 159 mi
Sources (8)
· 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: Childs dispersed camping area
- Official site: Verde wild and scenic river special restrictions
- Official site: Alerts
- Official site: Red rock ranger district affected severe flooding many closures effect
- Official site: Verde river
- Official site: Fossil creek wild and scenic river
- nps.gov: Index
- campverde.az.gov