Verde Hot Springs

Yavapai County, Arizona · Near Camp Verde
34.3570°N, 111.7100°W · 2,660 ft
104°F 64°F air · Good soaking weather 2,660 ft Open Roadside US Forest Service Camping nearby (11.4 mi)

Verde Hot Springs is a group of thermal mineral springs on the west bank of the Verde River in Yavapai County, about seventeen miles from Camp Verde. The water is hot, a little above what most people run a bath at. It sits in Tonto National Forest and access is open. A resort once stood here; its ruins and the old bathhouse are still on the site.

Location

Roadside by the record, about three hundred feet from a road listed as Childs. The elevation is a bit over 2,600 feet, with fifteen inches of rain a year and seven of snow. Forest Service ground, national forest designation, no fee on file. Clear Creek Campground is eleven miles away.

Best in the cool months, December through February. The 1979 sample ran slightly acid with iron present, and nothing newer is on record. Camp at Clear Creek, eleven miles out. The old resort buildings are ruins; treat them as such.

History of Verde Hot Springs

A resort operated here once. What remains is the ruin of it and the bathhouse, on the western bank of the Verde River. The USGS carries the springs as a thermal site.

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 Verde Hot Springs.

Aerial view of the ground around Verde Hot Springs LiDAR bare-earth view of the same ground around Verde 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.

Setting
Canyon floor
Steep ground climbs away on both sides of the spring.
Highest ground nearby
359 ft above the spring
Within a quarter mile, to the west
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
121 milliwatts per square meter of heat flow

That's about twice the US average of 65. It's higher than at 72% 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
48°
Jan
51°
Feb
58°
Mar
66°
Apr
73°
May
86°
Jun
87°
Jul
86°
Aug
80°
Sep
69°
Oct
57°
Nov
48°
Dec
Annual Precip: 15.0 in Annual Snow: 7.4 in
Best Time to Visit
January Air 48°F · Water 104°F · +56° contrast
December Air 48°F · Water 104°F · +56° contrast
February Air 51°F · Water 104°F · +53° contrast
January offers 39°F more contrast than July
Current Conditions
64°F
NW 0.0 mph 89% Good soaking weather
Tuesday 88° Low 68° Chance Showers And Thunderstorms 45% precip
Spring is +16° warmer
Wednesday 83° Low 66° Showers And Thunderstorms Likely 72% precip
Spring is +21° warmer
Thursday 87° Low 65° Chance Showers And Thunderstorms 46% precip
Spring is +17° warmer
Friday 91° Low 66° Sunny 6% precip
Spring is +13° warmer
Saturday 92° Low 67° Sunny 8% precip
Spring is +12° warmer
Water Chemistry Sampled 1979-06-12

The water at Verde Hot Springs is slightly acidic (pH 6.5). It is notably rich in calcium (may support bone density and joint health), magnesium (known for muscle relaxation and stress relief), and sodium (supports circulation and skin hydration).

pH 6.5 Slightly Acidic
pH influences mineral absorption through skin
Calcium 110 mg/L
May support bone density and joint health
Magnesium 46 mg/L
Known for muscle relaxation and stress relief
Sodium 1,000 mg/L
Supports circulation and skin hydration
Sulfate 650 mg/L
Traditionally used for skin conditions and inflammation
Chloride 540 mg/L
Natural antiseptic with skin health benefits
Iron 700 µg/L
Iron-rich springs may support circulation
Where to Stay

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Nearby Camping
Clear Creek Campground (Az) 11.4 mi away

Overview This cozy group campground is tucked in the Lower Sonoran Desert along the banks of the fresh, chilly Clear Creek. Campers can wade in the creek, fish, or curl up with a book under the umbrella of cottonwood trees. Another popular pastime here is birdwatching, where you might just spot a hawk or bald eagle in flight. Clear Creek Campground is seven miles southeast of the small ranching town of Camp Verde. It's part of the Coconino National Forest, one of the most diverse forests in...

Reservable Yes
Reserve on Recreation.gov →
Temperature
104°F
Warm Hot Boiling
Water Temp 104°F (40°C)
Avg Air Temp 67°F
Above Ambient +37°F
Warm air, warm water September
Access
Open
Road Access Roadside
Nearest Road Childs
Distance to Road 311 ft
Land
Ownership Federal
Agency US Forest Service
Designation National Forest
Unit Tonto National Forest
Manager US Forest Service
Protection 3 - Protected, subject to extractive use
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the water temperature at Verde Hot Springs?
Verde Hot Springs has a water temperature of 104°F (40°C). This is considered a hot spring, well above body temperature.
Where is Verde Hot Springs located?
Verde Hot Springs is located in Yavapai County, Arizona at 2,660 feet elevation, near Camp Verde. Coordinates: 34.3570°N, 111.7100°W.
How do I get to Verde Hot Springs?
Verde Hot Springs has Roadside road access, with the nearest road being Childs (311 ft from the road).
Is Verde Hot Springs free to visit?
Verde Hot Springs has Open access. It is managed by US Forest Service.
Can I camp near Verde Hot Springs?
Yes, Clear Creek Campground (Az) is located nearby (11.4 miles away).
What minerals are in the water at Verde Hot Springs?
Water chemistry analysis shows the presence of pH, Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Sulfate, Chloride, Iron. The pH is 6.5 (slightly acidic).
Sources: USGS NWIS, Wikipedia