(Upper) Frisco Hot Spring
Upper Frisco Hot Spring flows at 98 degrees Fahrenheit in the Gila National Forest of Catron County, New Mexico, near Reserve. Its pH of 9.7 ranks among the most alkaline thermal springs in the western United States. USGS measurements record 36.5 degrees Celsius. The spring requires a 1,041-meter walk from Forest Road 35 at 6,480 feet elevation.
The spring emerges along the San Francisco River corridor in the rugged, sparsely populated highlands of western New Mexico. Ponderosa pine and pinon-juniper woodland cover the surrounding ridges, while cottonwoods and willows line the river bottom. Annual precipitation is just 12.4 inches with 17.2 inches of snow, creating a semi-arid landscape punctuated by deep canyons. The Gila country stretches south toward the Mogollon Mountains, forming one of the least densely populated regions in the lower 48 states.
Visit from April through November; winter access depends on snow conditions along Forest Road 35. The 1 km walk to the spring follows uneven terrain, so wear sturdy boots. Water temperature is comfortable for soaking without mixing. The high alkalinity means the water feels slippery on skin. Apache Creek Campground, 15.9 km away, provides a quiet, undeveloped base camp among ponderosa pines. Carry all water and supplies; services in Reserve are limited.
The name references the nearby San Francisco River, called "Rio San Francisco" by early Spanish explorers and later shortened locally to "Frisco." The Mogollon people inhabited this region for centuries before Spanish contact. The spring has remained undeveloped on Forest Service land, with no commercial infrastructure. The broader Gila country gained federal protection in 1924 when the Gila Wilderness became the world's first designated wilderness area.
The water at (Upper) Frisco Hot Spring is alkaline (pH 9.7).
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This is a nice quiet undeveloped campground amongst ponderosa pines and abundant wildlife.Apache Creek Campground is in the northwest region of the forest. There are plenty of trees to provide shade and this is a very clean campground.
(Upper) Frisco Hot Spring sits at 6,480 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 26% stronger than at sea level, so bring sunscreen and drink more water than you normally would.
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(Upper) Frisco Hot Spring is road-accessible, so you can bring more gear.
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