Ojitos Springs

Socorro County, New Mexico · Near Socorro
34.1160°N, 106.9800°W · 5,226 ft
68°F 65°F air · Good soaking weather 5,226 ft Hike Camping nearby (10.7 mi)
Aerial view of the ground around Ojitos Springs LiDAR bare-earth view of the same ground around Ojitos 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.

Ojitos Springs earns a spot on the thermal map and nothing more. It is in Socorro County, about six miles from Socorro and a real walk from any road, and the water is below seventy degrees, cooler than skin, so it is no kind of soak. Nobody's name is on the land in the record, and access is not stated.

Location

Getting there takes a hike of a mile and three quarters or so from the nearest road, nameless on file. Elevation is moderate, above the valley floor. The climate is dry, with light snow in winter and mild averages. Water Canyon Campground is the camp on record, roughly eleven miles distant. No land unit is recorded.

The best-season note points to winter, and snow is light, so that is a fair window, with the hike easier in cool weather. The chemistry dates to 1977. The record names no owner and does not state whether visitors are allowed, so treat the ground as private until you learn otherwise. Water Canyon is the camp if you need one.

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 Ojitos Springs.

Setting
Hillside
The spring sits on a steep slope that climbs to the northwest.
Highest ground nearby
194 ft above the spring
Within a quarter mile, to the northwest
Cross-section through the spring

A slice through the ground from northwest to southeast, 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
37°
Jan
43°
Feb
53°
Mar
60°
Apr
67°
May
80°
Jun
79°
Jul
78°
Aug
70°
Sep
60°
Oct
48°
Nov
37°
Dec
Annual Precip: 9.2 in Annual Snow: 9.1 in
Best Time to Visit
January Air 37°F · Water 68°F · +31° contrast
December Air 37°F · Water 68°F · +31° contrast
February Air 43°F · Water 68°F · +25° contrast
January offers 43°F more contrast than June
Current Conditions
65°F
Mostly Cloudy SSW 25.0 mph 87% Good soaking weather
Today 81° Low 63° Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms 45% precip
Wednesday 82° Low 61° Showers And Thunderstorms Likely 71% precip
Thursday 80° Low 61° Showers And Thunderstorms Likely 63% precip
Friday 80° Low 59° Showers And Thunderstorms Likely 70% precip
Saturday 80° Low 58° Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms 45% precip
Water Chemistry Sampled 1977-03-04

The water at Ojitos Springs is slightly alkaline (pH 8.0). It is notably rich in calcium (may support bone density and joint health) and sulfate (traditionally used for skin conditions and inflammation).

pH 8.0 Slightly Alkaline
pH influences mineral absorption through skin
Calcium 120 mg/L
May support bone density and joint health
Magnesium 12 mg/L
Known for muscle relaxation and stress relief
Sodium 73 mg/L
Supports circulation and skin hydration
Sulfate 350 mg/L
Traditionally used for skin conditions and inflammation
Chloride 4 mg/L
Natural antiseptic with skin health benefits
Nearby Camping
Nearby Camping
Water Canyon Campground 10.7 mi away

This campground is located at an elevation of 6,800 feet in the Magdalena Mountains.

Reserve on Recreation.gov →
Temperature
68°F
Warm Hot Boiling
Water Temp 68°F (20°C)
Avg Air Temp 59°F
Above Ambient +9°F
Mild soaking conditions September
Access
Road Access Hike
Distance to Road 1.7 mi
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the water temperature at Ojitos Springs?
Ojitos Springs has a water temperature of 68°F (20°C). This is a warm thermal spring.
Where is Ojitos Springs located?
Ojitos Springs is located in Socorro County, New Mexico at 5,226 feet elevation, near Socorro. Coordinates: 34.1160°N, 106.9800°W.
How do I get to Ojitos Springs?
Ojitos Springs has Hike road access (1.7 mi from the road).
Can I camp near Ojitos Springs?
Yes, Water Canyon Campground is located nearby (10.7 miles away).
What minerals are in the water at Ojitos Springs?
Water chemistry analysis shows the presence of pH, Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Sulfate, Chloride. The pH is 8.0 (slightly alkaline).
Sources: USGS NWIS