Frieborn Canyon Spring

Catron County, New Mexico · Near Reserve
33.7080°N, 109.0250°W · 6,965 ft
92°F 64°F air · Good soaking weather 6,965 ft Open Hike US Forest Service Camping nearby (9.4 mi)
Aerial view of the ground around Frieborn Canyon Spring LiDAR bare-earth view of the same ground around Frieborn Canyon Spring
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.

Frieborn Canyon Spring is a soaking-warm spring in the Apache National Forest, Catron County, New Mexico, fifteen miles from Reserve. The water is about body temperature, warm enough to sit in on a cool day without being hot. The public may visit, and the Forest Service holds the land. Reaching it takes a hike.

Location

Walking in takes a bit over a mile and a quarter, starting from a road whose name was never recorded, and the spring sits at fairly high elevation. Snow runs light to moderate. The year is moderately dry. Forest land, with no fee or photo listed.

Luna Lake is the camping option on record, a little over nine miles away. Best months on record are winter, and the modest snow makes that workable. The walk is a real hike, so allow time for it both ways. No water chemistry and no survey date exist for this spring, so the temperature is unverified. Access is open.

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 Frieborn Canyon Spring.

Setting
Hillside
The spring sits on a steep slope that climbs to the north.
Highest ground nearby
199 ft above the spring
Within a quarter mile, to the north
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
105 milliwatts per square meter of heat flow

That's about 1½ times the US average of 65. It's higher than at 55% 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
32°
Jan
36°
Feb
43°
Mar
49°
Apr
56°
May
69°
Jun
68°
Jul
67°
Aug
62°
Sep
53°
Oct
42°
Nov
33°
Dec
Annual Precip: 19.3 in Annual Snow: 30.3 in
Best Time to Visit
January Air 32°F · Water 92°F · +60° contrast
December Air 33°F · Water 92°F · +59° contrast
February Air 36°F · Water 92°F · +56° contrast
January offers 37°F more contrast than June
Current Conditions
64°F
Clear N 0.0 mph 73% Good soaking weather
Today 75° Low 54° Chance Rain Showers then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms 59% precip
Spring is +17° warmer
Wednesday 69° Low 53° Showers And Thunderstorms 94% precip
Spring is +23° warmer
Thursday 74° Low 53° Showers And Thunderstorms 76% precip
Spring is +18° warmer
Friday 75° Low 51° Partly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely 63% precip
Spring is +17° warmer
Saturday 75° Low 50° Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms 51% precip
Spring is +17° warmer
Nearby Camping
Nearby Camping
Luna Lake 9.4 mi away

Overview Luna Lake Campground is a pleasant vacation site with open forest, lush meadows, a lake with great fishing, first rate mountain scenery and additional recreation facilities located within easy travel distance. This friendly campground is located in an open stand of ponderosa pines within walking distance of Luna Lake and 5 miles east of the town of Alpine, Arizona, close to the New Mexico border.Recreation Fishing, horseback riding, boating, mountain biking and hiking are some of the...

Reservable Yes
Reserve on Recreation.gov →
Mile-High Advisory 6,965 ft

Frieborn Canyon Spring sits at 6,965 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 28% stronger than at sea level, so bring sunscreen and drink more water than you normally would.

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Temperature
92°F
Warm Hot Boiling
Water Temp 92°F (33°C)
Avg Air Temp 51°F
Above Ambient +41°F
Good soaking conditions September
Access
Open
Road Access Hike
Distance to Road 1.3 mi
Land
Ownership Federal
Agency US Forest Service
Designation National Forest
Unit Apache National Forest
Manager US Forest Service
Protection 3 - Protected, subject to extractive use
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the water temperature at Frieborn Canyon Spring?
Frieborn Canyon Spring has a water temperature of 92°F (33°C). This is a warm thermal spring.
Where is Frieborn Canyon Spring located?
Frieborn Canyon Spring is located in Catron County, New Mexico at 6,965 feet elevation, near Reserve. Coordinates: 33.7080°N, 109.0250°W.
How do I get to Frieborn Canyon Spring?
Frieborn Canyon Spring has Hike road access (1.3 mi from the road).
Is Frieborn Canyon Spring free to visit?
Frieborn Canyon Spring has Open access. It is managed by US Forest Service.
Can I camp near Frieborn Canyon Spring?
Yes, Luna Lake is located nearby (9.4 miles away).