Allen Springs
Allen Springs flows at 78 degrees Fahrenheit in the Gila National Forest of Grant County, New Mexico, near Silver City. USGS measurements record 25 degrees Celsius with elevated calcium at 78 mg/L and magnesium at 39 mg/L, indicating contact with carbonate bedrock. The spring requires a 540-meter walk from the nearest road at 5,800 feet elevation.
The spring sits in the foothills of the Mogollon and Pinos Altos ranges, where pinon-juniper woodland and scattered ponderosa pine cover the ridgelines. The Gila River watershed drains the broader area through deep, winding canyons. Annual precipitation reaches 13.8 inches with 12.7 inches of snow, sustaining a semi-arid woodland landscape. The terrain is rugged and rocky, with exposed volcanic and sedimentary formations visible along canyon walls and ridgelines.
Visit between March and November for the most comfortable conditions. The 540-meter approach is manageable in hiking shoes over moderate terrain. Water temperature is lukewarm rather than hot, so do not expect a warm soak. Forks Campground, 36.2 km away along the West Fork of the Gila River, provides first-come sites near scenic cliffs and serves as a staging point for the Gila Cliff Dwellings. Carry adequate water; desert conditions prevail.
Specific historical records for Allen Springs are limited. The spring sits in a region rich in both Mogollon culture archaeological sites and nineteenth-century mining history centered around Silver City and the Pinos Altos mining district. The Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument lies to the north, preserving dwellings built by the Mogollon people in the late 1200s. Allen Springs has remained undeveloped on Forest Service land.
The water at Allen Springs contains 404 mg/L total dissolved solids. It is notably rich in magnesium (known for muscle relaxation and stress relief).
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This campground features beautiful cliffs along the West Fork of the Gila River.This campground is a great place to stop on the way to the Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument (15 miles north). Overnight camping is allowed in the upper portion of Forks; however, the lower portion of the Forks Recreation Site along the West Fork of the Gila River is day use only.
Allen Springs sits at 5,800 feet above sea level, way above the mile-high mark. You may not feel the altitude strongly, but hot water still dehydrates you faster at elevation. UV is about 23% stronger than at sea level, so bring sunscreen and drink more water than you normally would.
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Allen Springs is road-accessible, so you can bring more gear.
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