Phillips Springs
Phillips Springs emerges at 70°F on Zia Pueblo tribal land in Sandoval County at 6,000 feet elevation. The water runs 16°F above the local annual average. Public access status is unknown, and the spring sits roughly 720 meters from the nearest road, well within tribal jurisdiction.
The spring is located in the semi-arid uplands west of the Jemez Mountains, where piñon-juniper woodland transitions into desert grassland. Sandoval County receives about 9.6 inches of rain and 15 inches of snow annually at this elevation. The Jemez River drainage lies to the north, and the Rio Grande corridor runs to the east. The surrounding Zia Pueblo lands are characterized by red sandstone mesas and sandy arroyos typical of the Jemez Basin.
This spring is on Zia Pueblo land with unknown public access. Do not visit without first contacting the Zia Pueblo tribal office for permission. Vista Linda Campground, 18 km away in the Jemez National Recreation Area, has 13 reservable sites with vault toilets and potable water. The campground sits in San Diego Canyon amid ponderosa pine forest.
Phillips Springs sits on Zia Pueblo tribal land, managed directly by the tribe with no formal federal or state protection status. Historical documentation of this specific spring is sparse. The broader Jemez volcanic region hosts numerous thermal features tied to the Valles Caldera magmatic system. Any visits to this spring require explicit permission from the Zia Pueblo tribal government.
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Overview Vista Linda Campground is a first come, first serve campground in the San Diego Canyon on the Jemez National Recreation Area. There are thirteen sites throughout the campground. Potable water and vault toilets are provided amenities. Each campsite has picnic tables, a fire ring, and a charcoal pedestal. Sites with shad features are available; not all sites provide shade features. Recreation Vista Linda Campground is one of five developed campgrounds in the Jemez National Recreation...
Phillips Springs sits at 6,000 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 24% stronger than at sea level, so bring sunscreen and drink more water than you normally would.
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Phillips Springs is road-accessible, so you can bring more gear.
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