Unnamed Thermal Spring
An unnamed hot spring in the Gila National Forest reaching 149°F — dangerously hot and 92 degrees above ambient air temperature. Located at 5,737 feet in Grant County, it sits just 460 meters from the nearest road, classified as a short walk. Water chemistry shows elevated sodium at 150 mg/L, sulfate at 84 mg/L, and chloride at 110 mg/L with a pH of 7.9.
The spring surfaces in the volcanic terrain of the Gila National Forest near the Middle Fork of the Gila River at 5,737 feet. Steep canyon walls of welded tuff and rhyolite frame the drainage. Ponderosa pine, Gambel oak, and Arizona sycamore line the riparian zones, while drier slopes carry juniper and pinyon. Annual precipitation averages 15.3 inches with 18.1 inches of snow, supporting perennial stream flow through the surrounding canyons.
Extreme caution: water temperature reaches 149°F and direct contact will cause severe burns. This spring is accessible via a short walk from the road. Forks Campground is 3.8 km away with free, first-come sites along the West Fork of the Gila River. Best visited spring through fall; winter snow can make access difficult. Bring plenty of water and sun protection in summer months.
The Gila hot springs area sits within ancestral Mogollon territory, with evidence of habitation spanning centuries. The region's geothermal activity attracted early Anglo settlers in the 1870s and 1880s. No specific development history is documented for this individual spring vent. The broader Gila thermal system remains one of the most geothermally active zones in southwestern New Mexico.
The water at This spring is slightly alkaline (pH 7.9). It is notably rich in chloride (natural antiseptic with skin health benefits).
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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.
this spring sits at 5,737 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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this spring is road-accessible, so you can bring more gear. The water is dangerously hot — bring water shoes and test pools carefully.
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Springs Near This Spring
More Springs Around 149°F
Slightly Alkaline Springs (pH ~7.9)
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