# Unnamed thermal spring, New Mexico

Unnamed thermal spring in New Mexico. 149°F (65°C). Short Walk · Public Land. Grant County.

- Page: https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/new-mexico/unnamed-spring-grant-county-4
- Source: Soaking Springs, researched and maintained by Armen Suny
- Updated: 2026-09-14

## Can you soak at this spring?

Not at the source. The water leaves the ground at 149°F, hot enough to burn skin. It's a short walk from the road. It's on US Forest Service land.

## Key facts

| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Source water temperature | 149°F (65°C) (USGS record; developed pools are often cooled) |
| pH | 7.9 (Slightly Alkaline) |
| Elevation | 5,737 ft |
| Access | Short Walk · Public Land, 0.3 mi from the nearest road |
| Land | Gila National Forest, US Forest Service |
| County | Grant County |
| Nearest town | Arenas Valley |
| Coordinates | 33.21200, -108.22800 |
| Best months to soak | January, December, February (largest gap between water and average air temperature) |
| Nearest campground | Forks Campground, 2.4 mi |

## Soaking safety

**Very Hot Source, Use Extreme Caution.** At 149°F, the source water at This spring is hot enough to cause burns. Some hot springs this hot have cooler side pools or downstream areas suitable for soaking. Always test the water temperature before entering.

## About Unnamed thermal spring

Scalding water. That is the first thing to know about this unnamed thermal point in the Gila National Forest, Grant County, thirty miles from Arenas Valley. The reading on file is well above the temperature that burns skin on contact. The land is Forest Service, access open, a short walk of a third of a mile from the nearest road, and Forks Campground is close by.

About 5,700 feet, forested, with real snow in winter and a fairly wet year by regional standards. The road carries no name on file. Forks Campground sits around two and a half miles off. Nothing describes the source itself, a vent or a pool or a seep, and nothing says how the water cools once it leaves the ground.

Do not get in. Water this hot will scald in seconds, and there is no record of a cooled pool. Watch any dog or small child closely near it. The cold months are when to come. Camp at Forks. A 1967 sample came back near neutral with sodium and sulfate present. No fee recorded.

## Water chemistry

Lab sample from 1967-07-21 (Water Quality Portal).

| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| pH | 7.9 |
| Calcium | 16 mg/L |
| Magnesium | 0.1 mg/L |
| Sodium | 150 mg/L |
| Sulfate | 84 mg/L |
| Chloride | 110 mg/L |

## Nearby

- Nearest city page: [Hot springs near Silver City](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/near/new-mexico/silver-city), 24 mi away
- State page: [Hot springs in New Mexico](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/new-mexico)
- [Gila Hot Springs, NM](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/new-mexico/gila-hot-springs): 151°F source, pH 7.5, TDS 421 mg/L, Roadside, near Arenas Valley, Grant County
- [Spring, NM](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/new-mexico/spring-grant-county-1): 149°F source, pH 7.8, TDS 505 mg/L, Short Walk, near Arenas Valley, Grant County
- [Lyons Hunting Lodge Hot Springs, NM](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/new-mexico/lyons-hunting-lodge-hot-springs): 126°F source, pH 8.1, Roadside, near Arenas Valley, Grant County
- [Unnamed thermal spring, NM](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/new-mexico/unnamed-spring-grant-county-3): 94°F source, pH 7.8, TDS 505 mg/L, Hike, near Arenas Valley, Grant County
- [Spring, NM](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/new-mexico/spring-grant-county-2): 111°F source, pH 8.1, Short Walk, near Arenas Valley, Grant County
- [Spring, NM](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/new-mexico/spring-grant-county-3): 93°F source, pH 7.8, TDS 505 mg/L, Hike, near Arenas Valley, Grant County

## Questions

**What is the water temperature at ?**
 has a water temperature of 149°F (65°C). This is considered a hot spring, well above body temperature.

**Where is  located?**
 is located in Grant County, New Mexico at 5,737 feet elevation, near Arenas Valley. Coordinates: 33.2120°N, 108.2280°W.

**How do I get to ?**
 has Short Walk road access (0.3 mi from the road).

**Is  free to visit?**
 has Open access. It is managed by US Forest Service.

**Can I camp near ?**
Yes, Forks Campground is located nearby (2.4 miles away).

**What minerals are in the water at ?**
Water chemistry analysis shows the presence of pH, Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Sulfate, Chloride. The pH is 7.9 (slightly alkaline).

**Is it safe to soak at ?**
No, not at the source. The water at  reaches 149°F, which can cause severe burns within seconds. Look for cooled side pools or downstream stretches, and test with a hand before anything else.

## Sources

- USGS thermal springs records, Water Quality Portal lab analyses, OpenStreetMap, Wikipedia/Wikidata, NOAA climate normals