5 springs within 40 miles
Hot springs near Gila Hot Springs
5 hot springs are within 40 miles of Gila Hot Springs: the closest is Lightfeather Hot Springs (1 mi), the hottest is Jordan Hot Springs (up to 94°F), and 4 are free. Distances are straight-line; driving distances in the mountains can be much longer.
- Lightfeather Hot Springs1 mi
- Gila Hot Springs Ranch4 mi
- Jordan Hot Springs4 mi
- Turkey Creek Hot Springs17 mi
- San Francisco Hot Springs37 mi
Lightfeather Hot Springs
A hot spring that pulses from the base of a hill into the Middle Fork of the Gila, about three-quarters of a mile up Trail 157 from the Gila Visitor Center. The source is scalding, about 130-140°F according to the NPS, so visitors soak in rock-lined pools in the river where the hot water mixes with river water. The short walk includes several river crossings.
Gila Hot Springs Ranch
A family-run ranch in the hamlet of Gila Hot Springs, 4 miles south of Gila Cliff Dwellings, with apartments, a historic cabin, an RV park and tent sites. The ranch has a natural hot springs jacuzzi, and its lodgings and RV hookups are piped with hot spring water. NM 15 from Silver City is about 2 hours of winding road; rigs over 20 ft should use NM 35.
Jordan Hot Springs
A warm spring pool about 20 feet across and 3 feet deep at roughly 90-94°F, deep in the Gila Wilderness. It is about 7 miles one way from the TJ Corral trailhead via Little Bear Canyon, or 8.5 miles up the Middle Fork, with many river crossings either way. The NPS recommends it as an overnight trip and notes it is crowded at busy times such as spring break.
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.
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.