# Hot Spring, Arizona

Hot Spring in Arizona. 138°F (59°C). Short Walk. Greenlee County.

- Page: https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/arizona/hot-spring-greenlee-county
- Source: Soaking Springs, researched and maintained by Armen Suny
- Updated: 2026-09-14

## Can you soak at Hot Spring?

Only once it cools. The water leaves the ground at 138°F, hotter than any hot tub. It's a short walk from the road. We haven't confirmed whether it has a pool or charges a fee.

## Key facts

| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Source water temperature | 138°F (59°C) (USGS record; developed pools are often cooled) |
| Total dissolved solids | 13,900 mg/L |
| Elevation | 3,500 ft |
| Access | Short Walk, 0.1 mi from the nearest road |
| County | Greenlee County |
| Nearest town | Clifton |
| Coordinates | 33.08000, -109.30300 |
| Best months to soak | January, December, February (largest gap between water and average air temperature) |
| Nearest campground | Owl Creek Campground, 7.9 mi |

## About Hot Spring

A spring the record calls only Hot Spring, four miles or so outside Clifton in Greenlee County. It is hot, high 130s, too hot to sit in without cooling. What stands out is the chemistry: a 1978 sample found an exceptionally heavy mineral load, with iron among the minerals. Neither owner nor access is recorded. A USGS site number is attached.

Roughly five hundred feet of ground lies between the spring and an unnamed road, so count on a short walk. Moderate elevation, a dry climate, a foot or so of rain, occasional snow. Mid sixties, averaged over the year. Nobody is named as landowner. Eight miles or so away is Owl Creek Campground.

The listed season is winter, December through February. Walking in is short. The camp to use is Owl Creek. Ownership and access are unrecorded, so ask around Clifton before going. The water is hot enough to burn; keep clear of the source itself and test any pool first. The chemistry dates to 1978.

## Water chemistry

Lab sample from 1978-06-22 (Water Quality Portal).

| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Total dissolved solids | 13,900 mg/L |
| Calcium | 880 mg/L |
| Magnesium | 22 mg/L |
| Sodium | 3,300 mg/L |
| Sulfate | 60 mg/L |
| Chloride | 7,000 mg/L |
| Iron | 40 µg/L |

Records this spring holds:
- Tied for most minerals of Arizona's 9 springs with a dissolved minerals reading: 13,900 mg/L
- Tied for hardest water of Arizona's 22 springs with calcium and magnesium readings: 2,288 mg/L

## Nearby

- Nearest city page: [Hot springs near Safford](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/near/arizona/safford), 28 mi away
- State page: [Hot springs in Arizona](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/arizona)
- [Seep, AZ](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/arizona/seep-1): 95°F source, TDS 13,900 mg/L, Roadside, near Clifton, Greenlee County, not a soaking spring
- [Clifton Hot Springs, AZ](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/arizona/clifton-hot-springs): 102°F source, TDS 13,900 mg/L, Roadside, near Clifton, Greenlee County
- [Gillard Hot Springs, AZ](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/arizona/gillard-hot-springs): 180°F source, Short Walk, near Clifton, Greenlee County, primitive pools, free
- [Eagle Creek Hot Springs, AZ](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/arizona/eagle-creek-hot-springs): 97°F source, Short Walk, near Morenci, Greenlee County, primitive pools, pools 97°F, free
- [Warm Spring, AZ](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/arizona/warm-spring-greenlee-county): 73°F source, Short Walk, near Morenci, Greenlee County
- [Unnamed thermal spring, NM](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/new-mexico/unnamed-spring-greenlee-county): 69°F source, TDS 2,290 mg/L, Roadside, near Clifton, Greenlee County

## Questions

**What is the water temperature at Hot Spring?**
Hot Spring has a water temperature of 138°F (59°C). This is considered a hot spring, well above body temperature.

**Where is Hot Spring located?**
Hot Spring is located in Greenlee County, Arizona at 3,500 feet elevation, near Clifton. Coordinates: 33.0800°N, 109.3030°W.

**How do I get to Hot Spring?**
Hot Spring has Short Walk road access (0.1 mi from the road).

**Can I camp near Hot Spring?**
Yes, Owl Creek Campground is located nearby (7.9 miles away).

**What minerals are in the water at Hot Spring?**
Water chemistry analysis shows the presence of Total Dissolved Solids, Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Sulfate, Chloride, Iron. Total dissolved solids measure 13,900 mg/L.

**Is it safe to soak at Hot Spring?**
With care. At 138°F Hot Spring is hot enough to need short sessions, fifteen to twenty minutes, and plenty of water. Enter slowly and get out if you feel light-headed.

## Sources

- USGS thermal springs records, Water Quality Portal lab analyses, OpenStreetMap, Wikipedia/Wikidata, NOAA climate normals