Phillips Springs

Sandoval County, New Mexico · Near Jemez Pueblo
35.6010°N, 106.8600°W · 6,000 ft
70°F 61°F air · Good soaking weather 6,000 ft Unknown Short Walk DESG Camping nearby (11.1 mi)
Aerial view of the ground around Phillips Springs LiDAR bare-earth view of the same ground around Phillips 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.

Phillips Springs puts out water right at the edge between barely warm and tepid; it would feel cool on a warm day. The spring lies about seven miles from Jemez Pueblo in Sandoval County, on land of Zia Pueblo. Access on file is unknown, and since this is tribal land you should assume a visit needs permission. No photo and no chemistry are on file.

Location

Under half a mile on foot from an unnamed road. Elevation is moderate. Dry climate, light winter snow, mild average. Vista Linda Campground is about eleven miles away, the nearest on file. It is designated tribal land under the Zia Pueblo, and no fee is mentioned.

Ask the Pueblo of Zia before you go; the record does not say visitors are welcome. The record favors the winter months, and snow is light. There is no water sample on file. Count on a cool pool at most, if there is a pool at all; the record does not describe 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 Phillips Springs.

Setting
Gentle slope
The ground tilts gently up to the southeast.
Highest ground nearby
170 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
95 milliwatts per square meter of heat flow

That's about 1½ times the US average of 65. It's higher than at 40% 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
29°
Jan
36°
Feb
46°
Mar
54°
Apr
62°
May
75°
Jun
76°
Jul
75°
Aug
67°
Sep
55°
Oct
42°
Nov
31°
Dec
Annual Precip: 9.6 in Annual Snow: 15.1 in
Best Time to Visit
January Air 29°F · Water 70°F · +41° contrast
December Air 31°F · Water 70°F · +39° contrast
February Air 36°F · Water 70°F · +35° contrast
January offers 47°F more contrast than July
Current Conditions
61°F
N 0.0 mph 94% Good soaking weather
Today 76° Low 59° Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms 29% precip
Wednesday 75° Low 58° Showers And Thunderstorms 87% precip
Thursday 74° Low 58° Rain Showers 90% precip
Friday 76° Low 55° Showers And Thunderstorms Likely 55% precip
Saturday 77° Low 54° Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms 16% precip
Nearby Camping
Nearby Camping
Vista Linda Campground 11.1 mi away

Overview Vista Linda Campground is a first come, first serve campground in the San Diego Canyon on the Jemez National Recreation Area. There are thirteen sites throughout the campground. Potable water and vault toilets are provided amenities. Each campsite has picnic tables, a fire ring, and a charcoal pedestal. Sites with shad features are available; not all sites provide shade features.  Recreation Vista Linda Campground is one of five developed campgrounds in the Jemez National Recreation...

Reservable Yes
Reserve on Recreation.gov →
Mile-High Advisory 6,000 ft

Phillips Springs sits at 6,000 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 24% stronger than at sea level, so bring sunscreen and drink more water than you normally would.

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Temperature
70°F
Warm Hot Boiling
Water Temp 70°F (21°C)
Avg Air Temp 54°F
Above Ambient +16°F
Mild soaking conditions September
Access
Unknown
Road Access Short Walk
Distance to Road 0.4 mi
Land
Ownership DESG
Agency DESG
Designation Tribal Land
Unit Zia Pueblo
Manager TRIB
Protection 4 - No known protection
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the water temperature at Phillips Springs?
Phillips Springs has a water temperature of 70°F (21°C). This is a warm thermal spring.
Where is Phillips Springs located?
Phillips Springs is located in Sandoval County, New Mexico at 6,000 feet elevation, near Jemez Pueblo. Coordinates: 35.6010°N, 106.8600°W.
How do I get to Phillips Springs?
Phillips Springs has Short Walk road access (0.4 mi from the road).
Is Phillips Springs free to visit?
Phillips Springs has Unknown access. It is managed by DESG.
Can I camp near Phillips Springs?
Yes, Vista Linda Campground is located nearby (11.1 miles away).
Sources: USGS NWIS