# Stinking Springs, Colorado

Stinking Springs in Colorado. 81°F (27°C). Short Walk. Rio Arriba County.

- Page: https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/colorado/stinking-springs-2
- Source: Soaking Springs, researched and maintained by Armen Suny
- Updated: 2026-09-14

## Can you soak at Stinking Springs?

The water leaves the ground at 81°F, about as warm as a heated pool. 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 | 81°F (27°C) (USGS record; developed pools are often cooled) |
| Total dissolved solids | 899 mg/L |
| Elevation | 7,557 ft |
| Access | Short Walk, 0.1 mi from the nearest road (Navajo River Road) |
| County | Rio Arriba County |
| Nearest town | Dulce |
| Coordinates | 37.03300, -106.80500 |
| Best months to soak | January, December, February (largest gap between water and average air temperature) |
| Nearest campground | BLANCO RIVER GROUP CAMPGROUND, 8.9 mi |

## About Stinking Springs

Stinking Springs is a warm, mineral-heavy source in Rio Arriba County at the edge of Dulce. The water is on the tepid side, below body heat. The dissolved solids reading is high. Nobody is listed as owner, and access is unrecorded.

A short walk from Navajo River Road, under two hundred yards. Elevation is a little over 7,500 feet. Snow over a winter totals a bit over six feet, with moderate precipitation. Blanco River Group Campground, roughly nine miles away, is the camping the record lists.

The record flags the winter months as best, though the water is tepid, so this is no hot soak in any season. The chemistry on file is dissolved-solids heavy and comes from a 1975 sample; no pH was taken. Confirm ownership and access before going.

## Water chemistry

Lab sample from 1975-09-18 (Water Quality Portal).

| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Total dissolved solids | 899 mg/L |
| Calcium | 210 mg/L |
| Magnesium | 27 mg/L |
| Sodium | 20 mg/L |
| Sulfate | 470 mg/L |
| Chloride | 7.3 mg/L |
| Iron | 140 µg/L |

## Nearby

- Nearest city page: [Hot springs near Bayfield](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/near/colorado/bayfield), 35 mi away
- State page: [Hot springs in Colorado](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/colorado)
- [Pagosa Springs, CO](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/colorado/pagosa-springs): 136°F source, pH 6.5, Short Walk, near Pagosa Springs, Archuleta County, developed pools, $74 day pass, year-round
- [Pagosa Hot Springs, CO](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/colorado/pagosa-hot-springs): pH 7.7, TDS 2,860 mg/L, Roadside, near Pagosa Springs, Archuleta County, developed pools, $74 day pass, year-round
- [Hotz Spring, CO](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/colorado/hotz-spring): Short Walk, near Pagosa Springs, Archuleta County
- [Rainbow Hot Springs, CO](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/colorado/rainbow-hot-springs): 104°F source, Hike, near Pagosa Springs, Archuleta County, primitive pools, pools 95–105°F, free
- [Piedra River Hot Springs, CO](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/colorado/piedra-river-hot-springs-1): 108°F source, Short Walk, near Bayfield, La Plata County, primitive pools, pools 95–105°F, free
- [Piedra River Hot Springs, CO](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/colorado/piedra-river-hot-springs-2): Short Walk, near Bayfield, La Plata County

## Questions

**What is the water temperature at Stinking Springs?**
Stinking Springs has a water temperature of 81°F (27°C). This is a warm thermal spring.

**Where is Stinking Springs located?**
Stinking Springs is located in Rio Arriba County, Colorado at 7,557 feet elevation, near Dulce. Coordinates: 37.0330°N, 106.8050°W.

**How do I get to Stinking Springs?**
Stinking Springs has Short Walk road access, with the nearest road being Navajo River Road (0.1 mi from the road).

**Can I camp near Stinking Springs?**
Yes, Blanco River Group Campground is located nearby (8.9 miles away).

**What minerals are in the water at Stinking Springs?**
Water chemistry analysis shows the presence of Total Dissolved Solids, Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Sulfate, Chloride, Iron. Total dissolved solids measure 899 mg/L.

## Sources

- USGS thermal springs records, Water Quality Portal lab analyses, OpenStreetMap, Wikipedia/Wikidata, NOAA climate normals
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stinking_Hot_Springs