Ojo De Las Canas
Ojo de las Canas is a warm spring in Socorro County emerging at 79°F (25°C per USGS), only 18.8°F above the local ambient temperature. Its water is highly mineralized at 3,100 mg/L total dissolved solids, dominated by sulfate (1,800 mg/L) and calcium (530 mg/L), with an alkaline pH of 8.0.
The spring surfaces at 5,040 feet on the eastern flank of the Rio Grande rift in central New Mexico, about 300 meters from Quebradas Road. The terrain is Chihuahuan Desert grassland and creosote scrub receiving just 7 inches of rain annually with under 7 inches of snow. Broad alluvial bajadas slope away from the Magdalena and Socorro mountain ranges to the west, and sparse vegetation exposes red and tan sedimentary bedrock across the dry landscape.
Access requires a short walk of about 300 meters from Quebradas Road. Visit during cooler months (October through April), as summer temperatures in the Socorro area regularly exceed 100°F. Carry water and sun protection; shade is minimal. The nearest campground is Water Canyon Campground, 33 km away in the Magdalena Mountains at 6,800 feet, which is first-come, first-served and not reservable.
The name translates as "spring of the reeds" or "spring of the gray hairs," likely referencing vegetation at the discharge point. Documentation of this spring's history is limited. It appears in geological surveys of the Socorro area's thermal features, a region shaped by the active Rio Grande rift and the nearby Socorro magma body. No commercial development has occurred at this site.
The water at Ojo De Las Canas is slightly alkaline (pH 8.0) with 3100 mg/L total dissolved solids. It is notably rich in calcium (may support bone density and joint health), magnesium (known for muscle relaxation and stress relief), and sulfate (traditionally used for skin conditions and inflammation).
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This campground is located at an elevation of 6,800 feet in the Magdalena Mountains.
Ojo De Las Canas is road-accessible, so you can bring more gear.
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