San Antonio Hot Spring

Rio Arriba County, New Mexico · Near Santa Teresa
35.9380°N, 106.6460°W · 8,369 ft
129°F 58°F air · Good soaking weather 8,369 ft Open Short Walk US Forest Service Camping nearby (3.5 mi)

San Antonio Hot Spring is hot water in the Santa Fe National Forest, Rio Arriba County, at well over 8,000 feet. Public access is open. Around 130, so it needs cooling before a soak. Wikipedia calls it a group of geothermal springs, and OpenStreetMap carries the same name. No fee is on record. The nearest-town figure in our data is unreliable, so go by the forest and the campground.

Location

Under a quarter mile from the road. High country with heavy snow, close to five feet a year, and it is wetter than most of the state. San Antonio Campground is three and a half miles off. The Forest Service manages the land, and the designation is national forest. The annual average temperature is cool.

Hot; test before getting in, and expect to cool the water one way or another. The winter months rate highest in the climate data, and snow will govern the road. The sample is from 1973. San Antonio Campground is where the camping is.

History of San Antonio Hot Spring

Wikipedia describes San Antonio Hot Springs as a group of geothermal springs in the Santa Fe National Forest in northern New Mexico. OpenStreetMap carries the same name.

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 San Antonio Hot Spring.

Aerial view of the ground around San Antonio Hot Spring LiDAR bare-earth view of the same ground around San Antonio Hot 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.

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

That's about 2½ times the US average of 65. It's higher than at 93% 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
25°
Jan
28°
Feb
36°
Mar
43°
Apr
51°
May
65°
Jun
66°
Jul
64°
Aug
58°
Sep
47°
Oct
36°
Nov
26°
Dec
Annual Precip: 21.4 in Annual Snow: 56.1 in
Best Time to Visit
January Air 25°F · Water 129°F · +104° contrast
December Air 26°F · Water 129°F · +104° contrast
February Air 28°F · Water 129°F · +101° contrast
January offers 41°F more contrast than July
Current Conditions
58°F
Mostly Cloudy N 0.0 mph 79% Good soaking weather
Today 68° Low 40° Showers And Thunderstorms Likely 57% precip
Spring is +61° warmer
Wednesday 69° Low 39° Showers And Thunderstorms 92% precip
Spring is +60° warmer
Thursday 67° Low 36° Rain Showers 94% precip
Spring is +62° warmer
Friday 69° Low 34° Showers And Thunderstorms Likely 74% precip
Spring is +60° warmer
Saturday 70° Low 34° Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms 29% precip
Spring is +59° warmer
Water Chemistry Sampled 1973-05-16

The water at San Antonio Hot Spring is slightly alkaline (pH 7.7).

pH 7.7 Slightly Alkaline
pH influences mineral absorption through skin
Calcium 5 mg/L
May support bone density and joint health
Magnesium 0 mg/L
Known for muscle relaxation and stress relief
Sodium 23 mg/L
Supports circulation and skin hydration
Sulfate 9 mg/L
Traditionally used for skin conditions and inflammation
Chloride 2 mg/L
Natural antiseptic with skin health benefits
Iron 160 µg/L
Iron-rich springs may support circulation
Where to Stay

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Nearby Camping
San Antonio Campground 3.5 mi away

Overview San Antonio Campground is adjacent to the San Antonio River, tucked into a forest of ponderosa pine at 7,600 feet above sea level. This popular campground is open from May through October in the Santa Fe National Forest. Visitors should be prepared for hot summer days and cool nights. San Antonio Campground was completely rebuilt and reopened in August 2010. It is designated as a reduced impact and recycle campground.Recreation A paved walking trail along the river provides access f...

Reservable Yes
Reserve on Recreation.gov →
High Altitude Advisory 8,369 ft

At 8,369 feet, San Antonio Hot Spring is in high-altitude territory where the air is noticeably thinner. Soaking in hot water accelerates dehydration and can amplify altitude effects like headache and fatigue. UV radiation is roughly 33% stronger here. Wear sunscreen even on overcast days and take breaks from the water to rehydrate.

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Temperature
129°F
Warm Hot Boiling
Water Temp 129°F (54°C)
Avg Air Temp 45°F
Above Ambient +84°F
Great soaking conditions September
Access
Open
Road Access Short Walk
Distance to Road 0.2 mi
Land
Ownership Federal
Agency US Forest Service
Designation National Forest
Unit Santa Fe National Forest
Manager US Forest Service
Protection 3 - Protected, subject to extractive use
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the water temperature at San Antonio Hot Spring?
San Antonio Hot Spring has a water temperature of 129°F (54°C). This is considered a hot spring, well above body temperature.
Where is San Antonio Hot Spring located?
San Antonio Hot Spring is located in Rio Arriba County, New Mexico at 8,369 feet elevation, near Santa Teresa. Coordinates: 35.9380°N, 106.6460°W.
How do I get to San Antonio Hot Spring?
San Antonio Hot Spring has Short Walk road access (0.2 mi from the road).
Is San Antonio Hot Spring free to visit?
San Antonio Hot Spring has Open access. It is managed by US Forest Service.
Can I camp near San Antonio Hot Spring?
Yes, San Antonio Campground is located nearby (3.5 miles away).
What minerals are in the water at San Antonio Hot Spring?
Water chemistry analysis shows the presence of pH, Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Sulfate, Chloride, Iron. The pH is 7.7 (slightly alkaline).
Is it safe to soak at San Antonio Hot Spring?
With care. At 129°F San Antonio Hot Spring 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.