Hookers Hot Springs

Cochise County, Arizona · Near Benson
32.3360°N, 110.2400°W · 4,125 ft
127°F 67°F air · Good soaking weather 4,125 ft Unknown Short Walk NGO
Aerial view of the ground around Hookers Hot Springs LiDAR bare-earth view of the same ground around Hookers Hot Springs
Aerial LiDAR bare earth

Drag the handle to compare the two views. The orange dot marks the spring, in a frame about three quarters of a mile wide.

Hookers Hot Springs comes up hot, around 127 degrees, below the Galiuro Mountains on their southern side in Cochise County, roughly thirty miles from Benson. The ground is the Muleshoe Ranch Preserve, held by a non profit conservation group, and the record marks access unknown. Wikipedia mentions several hot springs close together here and says the water has a reputation for health benefits. The chemistry, from 1990, is strongly alkaline.

Location

A few hundred feet of walking from the nearest road, a nameless one in the record. The land is a private conservation preserve, the Muleshoe Ranch. Elevation is moderate, in dry country with roughly ten inches of rain and next to no snow, mid sixties for the annual average. No campground is listed anywhere in the record.

Best time on file: winter, December through February. Short approach. With access unknown and the preserve privately run, ask the preserve before going in. There is no camp listed, and no word on fees. Hot enough to burn skin, so test the water and look for a cooler pool before getting in.

History of Hookers Hot Springs

Wikipedia places Hookers Hot Springs in the southern foothills of the Galiuro Mountains, quotes an old description praising its position and its wide view of valley and mountain, and notes that the water has long been credited with health benefits. Several hot springs lie nearby. The USGS sample dates to August 1990.

Terrain

Aircraft with laser scanners measured this ground to within inches. The scan strips out trees and buildings, leaving the bare shape of the land around Hookers Hot Springs.

Setting
Gentle slope
The ground tilts gently up to the southwest.
Highest ground nearby
128 ft above the spring
Within a quarter mile, to the southwest
Cross-section through the spring

A slice through the ground from southwest to northeast, about 0.6 miles end to end.

Elevation data: USGS 3D Elevation Program. Aerial imagery: USGS The National Map. Public domain.

Heat Below
86 milliwatts per square meter of heat flow

That's about 1½ times the US average of 65. It's higher than at 24% of the springs on this site.

Heat flow measures the warmth working its way up through the ground from deep inside the earth. Where it runs high, rain and snowmelt that seep down through cracks in the rock come back up hot.

Heat flow estimate: Stanford Thermal Earth Model (Aljubran & Horne, 2024), CC BY 4.0.

Monthly Climate
47°
Jan
50°
Feb
58°
Mar
65°
Apr
71°
May
83°
Jun
82°
Jul
81°
Aug
76°
Sep
67°
Oct
56°
Nov
46°
Dec
Annual Precip: 10.2 in Annual Snow: 2.2 in
Best Time to Visit
December Air 46°F · Water 127°F · +81° contrast
January Air 47°F · Water 127°F · +80° contrast
February Air 50°F · Water 127°F · +77° contrast
December offers 37°F more contrast than June
Current Conditions
67°F
SSE 10.8 mph 87% Good soaking weather
Today 83° Low 64° Chance Showers And Thunderstorms 44% precip
Spring is +44° warmer
Wednesday 82° Low 63° Chance Showers And Thunderstorms 78% precip
Spring is +45° warmer
Thursday 84° Low 64° Chance Showers And Thunderstorms 36% precip
Spring is +43° warmer
Friday 86° Low 64° Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms 14% precip
Spring is +41° warmer
Saturday 86° Low 64° Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms 12% precip
Spring is +41° warmer
Water Chemistry Sampled 1990-08-02

The water at Hookers Hot Springs is alkaline (pH 9.0) with 255 mg/L total dissolved solids.

pH 9.0 Alkaline
pH influences mineral absorption through skin
Higher mineral concentration for therapeutic soaking
Calcium 1 mg/L
May support bone density and joint health
Magnesium 0 mg/L
Known for muscle relaxation and stress relief
Sodium 63 mg/L
Supports circulation and skin hydration
Sulfate 3 mg/L
Traditionally used for skin conditions and inflammation
Chloride 4 mg/L
Natural antiseptic with skin health benefits
Iron 30 µg/L
Iron-rich springs may support circulation
Where to Stay

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Temperature
127°F
Warm Hot Boiling
Water Temp 127°F (53°C)
Avg Air Temp 65°F
Above Ambient +62°F
Great soaking conditions September
Access
Unknown
Road Access Short Walk
Distance to Road 373 ft
Land
Ownership Non-Profit
Agency NGO
Designation PCON
Unit Muleshoe Ranch Preserve
Manager NGO
Protection 1 - Permanent protection, natural state
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the water temperature at Hookers Hot Springs?
Hookers Hot Springs has a water temperature of 127°F (53°C). This is considered a hot spring, well above body temperature.
Where is Hookers Hot Springs located?
Hookers Hot Springs is located in Cochise County, Arizona at 4,125 feet elevation, near Benson. Coordinates: 32.3360°N, 110.2400°W.
How do I get to Hookers Hot Springs?
Hookers Hot Springs has Short Walk road access (373 ft from the road).
Is Hookers Hot Springs free to visit?
Hookers Hot Springs has Unknown access. It is managed by NGO.
What minerals are in the water at Hookers Hot Springs?
Water chemistry analysis shows the presence of pH, Total Dissolved Solids, Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Sulfate, Chloride, Iron. The pH is 9.0 (alkaline). Total dissolved solids measure 255 mg/L.
Is it safe to soak at Hookers Hot Springs?
With care. At 127°F Hookers Hot Springs is hot enough to need short sessions, fifteen to twenty minutes, and plenty of water. Enter slowly and get out if you feel light-headed.
Sources: USGS NWIS, Wikipedia