Mimbres Hot Springs

Grant County, New Mexico · Near Bayard
32.7480°N, 107.8360°W · 5,720 ft
136°F 65°F air · Good soaking weather 5,720 ft Roadside Camping nearby (11.3 mi)
Aerial view of the ground around Mimbres Hot Springs LiDAR bare-earth view of the same ground around Mimbres 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.

Grant County again, seventeen miles from Bayard. Mimbres Hot Springs comes out well above any soaking temperature, hot enough to burn with a little time in it. Ownership and access both went unrecorded. A 1974 sample found alkaline water with calcium, magnesium, sodium, sulfate and chloride. There is no photo on file.

Location

Under 300 feet from the road, at around 5,700 feet, so it counts as roadside. Modest snow, moderate rain, with a mild annual average. Iron Creek Campground is eleven miles away. Nobody is listed as owner. Nothing in the record describes the spring's form or what the outflow does. The nearest road is unnamed in our data.

Hot. Don't step in without testing, and plan on cooling. Verify land status first, since nothing says who owns it. Iron Creek Campground is the camping on record. Go in the cold months. The water reading is fifty years old, and hot springs do change.

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 Mimbres Hot Springs.

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

That's about twice the US average of 65. It's higher than at 77% 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
40°
Jan
44°
Feb
52°
Mar
59°
Apr
66°
May
78°
Jun
77°
Jul
76°
Aug
69°
Sep
60°
Oct
49°
Nov
40°
Dec
Annual Precip: 11.8 in Annual Snow: 8.2 in
Best Time to Visit
January Air 40°F · Water 136°F · +97° contrast
December Air 40°F · Water 136°F · +96° contrast
February Air 44°F · Water 136°F · +92° contrast
January offers 39°F more contrast than June
Current Conditions
65°F
Clear N 0.0 mph 85% Good soaking weather
Today 82° Low 62° Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms 30% precip
Spring is +54° warmer
Wednesday 79° Low 60° Showers And Thunderstorms Likely 62% precip
Spring is +57° warmer
Thursday 77° Low 61° Chance Rain Showers 52% precip
Spring is +59° warmer
Friday 78° Low 59° Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms 49% precip
Spring is +58° warmer
Saturday 78° Low 58° Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms 36% precip
Spring is +58° warmer
Water Chemistry Sampled 1974-12-05

The water at Mimbres Hot Springs is slightly alkaline (pH 8.3).

pH 8.3 Slightly Alkaline
pH influences mineral absorption through skin
Calcium 3 mg/L
May support bone density and joint health
Magnesium 1 mg/L
Known for muscle relaxation and stress relief
Sodium 94 mg/L
Supports circulation and skin hydration
Sulfate 65 mg/L
Traditionally used for skin conditions and inflammation
Chloride 17 mg/L
Natural antiseptic with skin health benefits
Nearby Camping
Nearby Camping
Iron Creek Campground 11.3 mi away

Iron Creek Campground is easily accessible for campers and provides good facilitiesLocated in the Black Range Mountains off NM State Highway 152, starting at San Lorenzo and ending in Hillsboro. This is a mountain road with beautiful scenic sites at every curve. Watch for rocks on the road.

Reserve on Recreation.gov →
Mile-High Advisory 5,720 ft

Mimbres Hot Springs sits at 5,720 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 23% stronger than at sea level, so bring sunscreen and drink more water than you normally would.

As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Temperature
136°F
Warm Hot Boiling
Water Temp 136°F (58°C)
Avg Air Temp 59°F
Above Ambient +77°F
Great soaking conditions September
Access
Road Access Roadside
Distance to Road 261 ft
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the water temperature at Mimbres Hot Springs?
Mimbres Hot Springs has a water temperature of 136°F (58°C). This is considered a hot spring, well above body temperature.
Where is Mimbres Hot Springs located?
Mimbres Hot Springs is located in Grant County, New Mexico at 5,720 feet elevation, near Bayard. Coordinates: 32.7480°N, 107.8360°W.
How do I get to Mimbres Hot Springs?
Mimbres Hot Springs has Roadside road access (261 ft from the road).
Can I camp near Mimbres Hot Springs?
Yes, Iron Creek Campground is located nearby (11.3 miles away).
What minerals are in the water at Mimbres Hot Springs?
Water chemistry analysis shows the presence of pH, Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Sulfate, Chloride. The pH is 8.3 (slightly alkaline).
Is it safe to soak at Mimbres Hot Springs?
With care. At 136°F Mimbres 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