Manby Hot Springs

Taos County, New Mexico · Near Arroyo Seco
36.5080°N, 105.7220°W · 6,610 ft
100°F 51°F air · Good soaking weather 6,610 ft Open Short Walk Bureau of Land Management Camping nearby (14.2 mi)

Manby Hot Springs, also called Stagecoach Hot Springs, is a soakable spring on BLM land in Taos County near Arroyo Hondo, about eight miles from Arroyo Seco. The water comes out at body temperature. Public access is open. Wikipedia describes three rock pools with sandy bottoms beside the ruins of an old bathhouse and a stagecoach stop.

Location

From Calle Feliberto Road it is about a third of a mile on foot. High country above 6,500 feet with a snowy winter, close to three feet a year, and a cool average through the year. The BLM Taos Field Office manages the land, which is public. The pools sit near the old bathhouse ruins.

Open public access, no fee on record. The water is comfortable as is. Sampled in 2015, so the chemistry is current by the standards of this list. Las Petacas Campground is about fourteen miles away. The climate table points to winter, and snow will shape the walk in.

History of Manby Hot Springs

Stagecoach Hot Springs is the other name. The springs feed three rock pools by the ruins of an old bathhouse and a historical stagecoach stop, per Wikipedia.

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 Manby Hot Springs.

Aerial view of the ground around Manby Hot Springs LiDAR bare-earth view of the same ground around Manby 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
Hillside
The spring sits on a steep slope that climbs to the southeast.
Highest ground nearby
60 ft above the spring
Within a quarter mile, to the southeast
Cross-section through the spring

A slice through the ground from south to north, about 0.6 miles end to end.

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

Heat Below
117 milliwatts per square meter of heat flow

That's about twice the US average of 65. It's higher than at 69% 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
24°
Jan
30°
Feb
40°
Mar
49°
Apr
57°
May
70°
Jun
72°
Jul
69°
Aug
63°
Sep
51°
Oct
38°
Nov
26°
Dec
Annual Precip: 13.1 in Annual Snow: 34.1 in
Best Time to Visit
January Air 24°F · Water 100°F · +76° contrast
December Air 26°F · Water 100°F · +74° contrast
February Air 30°F · Water 100°F · +70° contrast
January offers 47°F more contrast than July
Current Conditions
51°F
Clear S 25.0 mph 89% Good soaking weather
Today 79° Low 48° Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms 35% precip
Spring is +21° warmer
Wednesday 78° Low 48° Showers And Thunderstorms 81% precip
Spring is +22° warmer
Thursday 76° Low 44° Rain Showers 91% precip
Spring is +24° warmer
Friday 77° Low 42° Showers And Thunderstorms Likely 60% precip
Spring is +23° warmer
Saturday 78° Low 40° Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms 16% precip
Spring is +22° warmer
Water Chemistry Sampled 2015-08-26

The water at Manby Hot Springs is neutral (pH 7.2) with 514 mg/L total dissolved solids.

pH 7.2 Neutral
pH influences mineral absorption through skin
Higher mineral concentration for therapeutic soaking
Calcium 26 mg/L
May support bone density and joint health
Magnesium 5 mg/L
Known for muscle relaxation and stress relief
Sodium 134 mg/L
Supports circulation and skin hydration
Sulfate 127 mg/L
Traditionally used for skin conditions and inflammation
Chloride 51 mg/L
Natural antiseptic with skin health benefits
Iron 40 µg/L
Iron-rich springs may support circulation
Where to Stay

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Nearby Camping
Las Petacas Campground 14.2 mi away

Set in a beautiful canyon quite close to Taos, there is good access to Rio Fernando de Taos for fishing.

Reserve on Recreation.gov →
Mile-High Advisory 6,610 ft

Manby Hot Springs sits at 6,610 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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Temperature
100°F
Warm Hot Boiling
Water Temp 100°F (38°C)
Avg Air Temp 49°F
Above Ambient +51°F
Good soaking conditions September
Access
Open
Road Access Short Walk
Nearest Road Calle Feliberto Road
Distance to Road 0.3 mi
Land
Ownership Federal
Agency Bureau of Land Management
Designation PUB
Unit Taos Field Office
Manager Bureau of Land Management
Protection 3 - Protected, subject to extractive use
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the water temperature at Manby Hot Springs?
Manby Hot Springs has a water temperature of 100°F (38°C). This is considered a hot spring, well above body temperature.
Where is Manby Hot Springs located?
Manby Hot Springs is located in Taos County, New Mexico at 6,610 feet elevation, near Arroyo Seco. Coordinates: 36.5080°N, 105.7220°W.
How do I get to Manby Hot Springs?
Manby Hot Springs has Short Walk road access, with the nearest road being Calle Feliberto Road (0.3 mi from the road).
Is Manby Hot Springs free to visit?
Manby Hot Springs has Open access. It is managed by Bureau of Land Management.
Can I camp near Manby Hot Springs?
Yes, Las Petacas Campground is located nearby (14.2 miles away).
What minerals are in the water at Manby Hot Springs?
Water chemistry analysis shows the presence of pH, Total Dissolved Solids, Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Sulfate, Chloride, Iron. The pH is 7.2 (neutral). Total dissolved solids measure 514 mg/L.
Sources: USGS NWIS, Wikipedia