Spring
This unnamed spring on Laguna Pueblo tribal land produces 86°F water at 5,581 feet elevation in Valencia County — about 28°F above the local annual average. No water chemistry data has been published for this spring. Public access status is unknown, and the spring sits 1,472 meters from the nearest road, the longest approach distance of any spring in this section of central New Mexico.
The spring lies in the semi-arid mesa and valley landscape west of the Rio Grande near Los Chavez, on land belonging to Laguna Pueblo. Piñon-juniper woodland and desert grassland cover the rolling terrain at this elevation. Annual precipitation averages just 9.2 inches with 9.7 inches of snow. The Rio San Jose drainage shapes the broader geography, flowing eastward toward the Rio Grande through a landscape of sandstone mesas, volcanic remnants, and wide valleys characteristic of the Acoma-Laguna Plateau.
This spring is on Laguna Pueblo sovereign land — do not visit without explicit permission from tribal authorities. Contact the Laguna Pueblo Governor's Office to inquire about access. The 1,472-meter approach crosses open, trailless terrain with no shade. Bring GPS navigation, ample water, and sun protection. No campgrounds or public facilities exist nearby on tribal land. Respect all tribal regulations, photography restrictions, and cultural site protections.
The spring has no recorded name beyond its generic designation. It sits on Laguna Pueblo tribal land, a sovereign Indigenous nation established well before Spanish contact in the 16th century. Laguna Pueblo was formally recognized in 1699. No specific historical documentation exists for this spring's use or development. Its inclusion in the 1980 NOAA thermal springs compilation constitutes the primary published reference.
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Spring sits at 5,581 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 22% stronger than at sea level, so bring sunscreen and drink more water than you normally would.
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Spring is road-accessible, so you can bring more gear.
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